There are some certain chronic diseases that able to be prevented if we are able to identify the cystic fibrosis (CF) gene from DNA. Nonetheless, cystic fibrosis causes to release substantial amounts of mucous that clog the lungs that lead to malfunctioning of the healthy lungs over period of time.

The prolong symptoms of this disease will affect other parts of the body such as liver and intestine that disrupt the digestion and absorption processes which claims lives of several CF sufferers.

The big deal about cystic fibrosis – How do we know that we might have (or not) the CF genes in our body?

We might think that chance of getting CF is similar to the chance of winning a jackpot or first-prize lucky draw – that’s quite true!

One of the methods of diagnose CF is DNA testing or genetic testing. It is possible to diagnose CF carrier as well as to confirm a person who is carrying mutated CF gene that shows no symptoms of CF but it can be inherited to his/her child – when a child contains two copies of mutated CF gene that shows the impact on the child’s health.

In short, a child will only have CF when he/she contains two copies of defective CF genes. Males have more chances to have CF compared to females. Normally, females are CF carriers because they carry only one copy of CF mutated gene instead of two. In other words, a CF carrier does not show any symptoms of CF will get positive test results for CF gene mutation.

By: J.J. Yong

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Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common genetic disorders. The genes on each chromosome control specific functions of the human body. The gene on chromosome 7 produces a protein called cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator. Mutation in the DNA level of chromosome 7 leads to the absence of this protein which leads to cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis is a recessive disease. It means that both copies of the gene must be defective. An affected person will have abnormal cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene on each chromosome 7. Therefore both biological parents must have an abnormal gene. One abnormal copy is inherited from each parent. A person with one normal gene and one abnormal gene is called a cystic fibrosis carrier. Cystic fibrosis carriers do not show any symptoms but they may pass the abnormal gene to their children. Therefore the parents can be either cystic fibrosis carriers or affected themselves.

Cystic fibrosis affects the production and function of cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator. This disturbs the chloride transfer across cell membranes. As a result, chloride irons build up in the cells of the lungs and other organs. Water stays inside the cells to dilute the chloride and the normal secretions of the organs become thick. Mucus in the exocrine glands becomes thick and sticky. This results in blocks in the pancreas, lungs, liver and other glands. This block leads to cyst formation in glands. This results in cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis causes frequent respiratory infections.

Diagnosis of cystic fibrosis is confirmed by a sweat test or DNA testing. Cystic fibrosis causes the sweat glands to secrete excessive salt. The most common symptoms of cystic fibrosis are coughing and chronic breathing difficulties. This causes repeated lung infections. The lungs and the digestive system are more affected by cystic fibrosis. The symptoms of cystic fibrosis include chronic cough, chest infection, small growth in nose, diabetes, weight loss, pancreatitis, and diarrhea. The treatment of cystic fibrosis includes oral or inhaled antibiotics, corticosteroid tablets, dietary vitamins, anti-asthma therapy and medication.

By: Kent Pinkerton

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The decision to go through with cystic fibrosis carrier testing is highly personal and may be very important to some couples who are planning to become pregnant or are already expecting a child. This type of test is used to determine if one or both parents are carriers of the gene that causes cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects breathing and digestion. It is inherited at birth from two carrier parents. Some sufferers live normal lives into their 40s or longer, but victims who are severely affected may die in childhood. There is currently no cure for this, but the symptoms can be treated with medication and therapy. Digestive symptoms can be kept under control with daily prescription medicine. The lung problems are more serious, because they involve a build up of mucus in the lungs. This can also be managed, however, with daily respiratory therapy to clear out the excess mucus from the lungs.

Cystic fibrosis carrier testing is done in a lab with a sample of blood or saliva. Testing can be done prior to becoming pregnant, or in the early stages of pregnancy. The test is usually done on the female first, to determine whether or not she is a carrier. If those first test results reveal that she is a carrier, then the potential father will be tested. A person who carries the gene does not have the illness. They simply carry the gene that causes it. Both parents must be carriers in order for cystic fibrosis to be passed on to a child. If only one parent is a carrier, their children will not inherit it.

The purpose of cystic fibrosis carrier testing can vary. Sometimes, couples who are getting ready to start a family want to determine the risk of passing on this to their child. This can be especially important to potential parents who have a family history of this.

Most of the time this test comes back normal, whether it is done before conception or early in the pregnancy. Even when both parents are found to be carriers, there is still only a 25 percent chance that the child will be afflicted with cystic fibrosis. If test results come back positive in a pregnant mother, additional testing will be performed on the developing baby to determine if it is present. While there is no way to treat cystic fibrosis before the baby is born, some couples feel that they can be better prepared for any special needs their child will have if they are informed of the risks ahead of time.

Whatever the purpose, testing for cystic fibrosis or other illnesses prior to or early in a pregnancy is a personal and important decision. Both parents must be involved in the process and should always thoroughly and thoughtfully consider their options.

By: Peter J Lee

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I am having a hard time breathing and seem to have attacks that come on all of a sudden. Also I t feels like something stuck in my lungs..I cannot remeber any signs when I was growing up. Is it possible to start showing signs of cystic fibrosis in my 30′s?

In the disease cystic fibrosis there is a defect in the ability of endothelial cells to transport Cl- ions. What rationale would this have on water balance and possible regulation of mucus build up in the lungs? Since this defect is in a gene for all cells would other tissues besides the lungs be influence, if so, which ones and why? Besides gene therapy, what pharmacological treatments are beneficial and why for treating the Cl- ion imbalance?

Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common conditions that are inherited. The glands that produce secretions and body fluids get affected with this condition and the secretions become thicker and stickier than what they should be normally. Because of this the functions of the digestive system and the lungs get hampered. Cystic fibrosis is brought on by an inherited gene which is faulty and is found on the chromosome 7. This gene controls the water and salt movement in the cells in the body. For a child to develop this problem the gene has to be inherited by it from both the parents and it is an autosomal recessive form of inheritance.

The symptoms of this disease are infertility, liver failure, diabetes, motions which are large and foul smelling and frequent chest infections which are severe. Though mortality is high, the average life of a child affected with this is around forty years of age.

Research is being conducted on the faulty gene and work is being done to find ways of either replacing or repairing this gene with gene therapy. However, there is no cure for this problem as yet and neither is there any way in which it can be prevented. Babies are being screened for it as soon as they are born and even antenatal tests are available for this dreaded problem.
Treatment should be given to those affected with this problem immediately so as to prevent too much damage being done to the system. This can help people to achieve fairly comfortable lives and live with this disease. Once the infection is controlled and there is no chance of further complications setting in, long term harm can be avoided.

A proper diet and healthy life style is very essential in promoting good health amongst those who are suffering with cystic fibrosis. Foods which should be consumed are the high energy ones, and additional mineral and vitamin supplements should be added to the diet. Alongside a good diet the person requires exercise to maintain their health and fitness. Another important part of treatment and therapy is breathing exercise and physiotherapy so that the build up of excess mucus is prevented in the lungs.

In case of inflammations and infections in the lungs, antibiotics and other forms of medications are given to the patient to control the infection. A lung transplant becomes necessary if there is respiratory failure.

By: Tom Chuong

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My friend wants to go to Libya for two weeks and invited me to come with her (she has relatives in some village there). I’d like to go to see it such a different place, but I have Cystic Fibrosis and I’m kind of worried about getting sick there, getting an infection there and what I would do if I did. I get sick and get infections a lot as it is. Has anyone had any experience with this or have any advice?

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that seriously affects lungs, liver, intestines and pancreas. Technically speaking, Cystic Fibrosis shortly called as CF in medical terms is a genetic disorder where the secretory glands in the body are not normal functional. It’s a condition which is mostly observed in the childhood of patients, sometimes as early as in their births. Mucus, sweat and other bodily secretions are affected by Cystic Fibrosis and as a result they cause serious health problems for the patients.

Mucus generally is thin and slippery substance around the lungs which helps to filter, and to absorb dust particles and other micro organisms thus prevents them entering into lungs. For a patient with that disease, the mucus generally would be thick and this is what causes breathing problems to the patient. The digestive secretions too are abnormal and don’t help food to digest and vitamins to absorb properly. This is why Cystic Fibrosis affected people are mostly underweight and have a poor growth ratio.

Causes:

The single main cause of the Cystic Fibrosis is parental inheritance. Like most of the genetic disorders, the CTFR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator), a defect gene will be inherited by the child from their parents who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis. This CTFR controls the water and salt content in the body cells. So the defected CTFR gene results in formation thick mucus and releasing excess content of salt in sweat.

Symptoms:

There are far too many symptoms that circulate around the disease thus making it difficult to judge the disease by symptoms alone. And the symptoms too vary from person to person depending upon the disease condition of the patient. However there are some basic symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis like symptoms related to respiratory and digestive systems. The first and foremost symptom is thick mucus around lungs and airways which always causes lung and chest infections.

Chronic cough, pneumonia, abnormal foul smell of bowls, mucus in bowls, improper bowl movements, unusual weight loss, poor growth, abdominal pains, dehydration and excess loss of salt in sweat are the common symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis.

Available Treatments:

At present, there are no major treatments available for Cystic Fibrosis to cure it in a single sitting or surgery. The approached gene therapy at early stages of disease can bring a change in defective CTFR gene. But for the doctor, the most important thing is to minimize the symptoms of disease thus helping patient to lead a painless life.

The most practiced treatment these days is anti biotic therapy which reduces the disease effects of CF affected patients and thus increasing the average life span of patients drastically. The bronchodilators, mucolytics and decongestants are some of medical practices that ease the breathing system and reduce lung infections in patient.

A specific low fat diet plan can help out solving the digestive problems that naturally come along with the disease. There are also some prescribed exercises and physical activities that can ease thick mucus and helps to drain quickly. A proper maintenance can help CF patients to live life normally without many hassles.

To Your Health!

By: James S. Pendergraft

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A couple of days ago, a guy I knew back in my hometown got a double lung transplant. He has cystic fibrosis. I know removiing the lungs takes away the bacteria but does it get rid of the disease?

The fertility clinic I am going to requires I do a cystic fibrosis screening test before being having an IUI procedure with donor sperm. I do not want this screening, and do not think I should be required to take it. It also costs $150 and takes 4 weeks to get the results. Does anyone know if this is truly a requirement? I am having trouble finding any information online. Thanks!