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What is Cystic Fibrosis?             

Cystic Fibrosis is a chronic, frequently fatal, progressive, genetically (inherited) disease of the body's mucus glands. Cystic Fibrosis primarily affects the respiratory and
digestive systems in children and young adults.
The sweat glands and the reproductive system are also usually involved. A sweat test is commonly taken to
determine if a person is affected by this genetic disease.

Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms (Overview)      

Cystic Fibrosis affects the body's ability to move salt and
water in and out of cells. This genetic disorder causes the lungs and pancreas to secrete thick mucus, blocking passage-ways and preventing proper function.
( Detailed Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms )

Causes of Cystic Fibrosis   
 
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease, meaning it is caused
by a defect in the person's genes. Genes, found in the nucleus of all the body's cells, control cell function by
serving as the blueprint for the production of proteins. Proteins carry out a wide variety of functions within cells.
The gene that, when defective, causes Cystic Fibrosis,
and it's symptoms is called the CFTR gene, which stands
for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.
A simple defect in this gene leads to all the consequences
of CF. There are over 500 known defects in the
 CFTR gene that can cause Cystic Fibrosis. However,
70% of all people with a defective CFTR gene have the
same defect, known as delta-F508.

Cystic Fibrosis Treatments

Many of the symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis can be treated with drugs or nutritional supplements. Close attention to and prompt treatment of respiratory and digestive complications have dramatically increased the expected life span of a person with CF. While several decades ago most children with Cystic Fibrosis died by age 2, today about half of all people with Cystic Fibrosis live past age 31. That median age is expected to grow as new treatments are developed, and it is estimated that a person born in 1998 with Cystic Fibrosis has a median expected life span of 40 years. Many CF patients live a long full life well past expected lifespan of 40 years.

Cystic Fibrosis History

Cystic Fibrosis symptoms or the disease has been known
for over two centuries.
The name, cystic fibrosis of the pancreas, was first
applied to the disease in 1938.

Cystic Fibrosis Web Cast
Next Web Cast: Mar. 28th, 2006
A Virtual Patient Education Day Live Web Cast!
 

 Visit our Cystic Fibrosis 
    Web Community... Click HERE

Cystic Fibrosis Facts

Cystic Fibrosis affects approximately   30,000 children and young adults in the United States, and about 3,000 babies are born with Cystic Fibrosis every year. CF primarily affects people of white northern-European descent; rates are much lower in non-white populations.

What other names do people
use for Cystic Fibrosis?

• CF

• Cystic fibrosis of pancreas

• Fibrocystic Disease of Pancreas

• Mucoviscidosis

• Mucoviscidosis of pancreas

• Pancreas Fibrocystic Disease

• Pancreatic Cystic Fibrosis
   

Cystic Fibrosis Pictures         

View pictures of Cystic Fibrosis

    Interactive slideshow on
    causes of Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis Foundations 

Click here to visit great foundations, that help with Cystic Fibrosis and the many aspects of the disease.
 

Cystic Fibrosis NEWS

Visit our Cystic Fibrosis News page, and get the latest news on research, treatments and other cystic fibrosis news related stories.
 

Personal Pages - Genetic Disorders, Cystic Fibrosis Personal Pages

High Cholesterol, Low Cholesterol Diet & LDL Cholesterol
Cholesterol.realage.com provides information on how to handle high cholesterol and useful guidelines on maintaining a healthy low cholesterol level.