Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease which causes presence of mucus in affected organs, this is the result of a mutation in protein cells that function to regulate movement of salt and water in and out of the cell. Cystic fibrosis mostly affects the lungs and the digestive system. Genes causing cystic fibrosis might be present in some individuals, but it takes two parents having cystic fibrosis gene to produce an offspring with cystic fibrosis.
1. Symptoms of cystic fibrosis
Symptoms of cystic fibrosis differ from person and symptoms could also worsen with time. In the early stages of cystic fibrosis, here are some of the symptoms experienced these symptoms are mostly seen in children, thick mucus in cough, easy loss of breath, very salty sweat, bad smelling stool, constant constipation, rectal prolapse and dehydration.
But in the later stages of cystic fibrosis these symptoms are common among adults.
Bronchiectasis, this is a chronic condition that results in the permanent damage of the bronchial tubes of the lungs. It allows for the growth of bacteria and virus in the lung. Brochiectasis symptoms are chronic coughing, constant chest pain, coughing up blood, thick mucus and pale skin.
Nasal polyps are growths in the sinuses of the nose. They could be very discomforting to the nose. Symptoms of nasal polyps include frequent sneezing, runny nose, sometimes they can be painful and they could block the nose.
Distal intestinal obstruction syndrome is a situation where built up mucus in the intestine slows down the rate at which stool or waste product leaves the intestine. Therefore the intestine is blocked with stool.
Other complications that cystic fibrosis can lead to include are hemoptysis, intestinal obstructions, osteoporosis and acute exacerbations.
2. Treatments of Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis has no cure but there are a lot of effective treatments that can be taken to manage and reduce symptoms associated with cystic fibrosis.
Bronchodilator drugs are prescribed for people suffering breathlessness, mucolytics are also prescribed to constantly reduce the amount of mucus in lungs and digestive tracts. In the case of bacterial infection caused by accumulated mucus antibiotics would be prescribed by the doctor.
Image courtesy of: cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com.
