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Cystic Fibrosis

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Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life threatening disorder that causes severe damage to lungs and digestive system. CF affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices. These secreted fluids are normally thin and slippery but, in CF a defective gene causes the secretions to become thick and sticky. Instead of acting as a lubricant the secretions plug up tubes, ducts and passage ways especially in lungs and pancreas. CF is most common in white people of Northern European ancestry, but also occur in Hispanics, African Americans, and some Native Americans. (Mayo Clinic). More than 70% of patients are diagnosed by age two. The predicted median age of survival for persons with CF is in late 30’s.
Symptoms of CF can be found in many ways, from very salty- tasting skin, persistant coughing at times with phlegm, frequent lung infections, wheezing, or shortness of breath, poor growth or weight gain in spite of good appetite, or frequent greasy, bulky stools or difficulty in bowl movements. Although CF requires daily care most people with condition of CF are able to attend school and work. (CFF2013)
CF is diagnosed by many ways, all states screen newborns for CF using genetic testing or blood test. The blood test shows whether a newborns pancreas is working properly. Another way is sweat test, this test is most useful for diagnosing CF, a sweat test measures amount of salt in sweat. Doctors triggers sweating on small patch of skin on an arm or leg, he or she rubs skin with sweat-producing chemical and then current. This may cause tingling or warm feeling. Other tests used such as Chest x-rays, lung function test, or a sputum culture. (Cerner 2013)
There is no cure for CF, however treatments may help to prevent respiratory or intestinal infections, it may also help you better absorb food and nutrients such as vitamins. There are many ways and

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