What is Cystic Fibrosis or “65 roses” ?

Here is a simple explaination about CF

Cystic Fibrosis or “65 Roses”

Cystic fibrosis (CF), mucoviscoidosis, or mucoviscidosis, is a hereditary disease that affects mainly the lungs and digestive system, causing progressive disability.

Thick mucus production, as well as a less competent immune system, results in frequent lung infections. Diminished secretion of pancreatic enzymes is the main cause of poor growth, fatty diarrhea and deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins. Males can be infertile due to the condition congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens. Often, symptoms of CF appear in infancy and childhood. Meconium ileus is a typical finding in newborn babies with CF.

Individuals with cystic fibrosis can be diagnosed prior to birth by genetic testing. Newborn screening tests are increasingly common and effective. The diagnosis of CF is confirmed if high levels of salt are found during a sweat test.

There is no cure for CF, and most individuals with cystic fibrosis die young: many in their 20s and 30s from lung failure. ( For the severe cases) However, with the continuous introduction of many new treatments, the life expectancy of a person with CF is increasing. Lung transplantation is often necessary as CF worsens.

Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common life-shortening, childhood-onset inherited diseases. In the United States, 1 in 3900 children are born with CF.^[1] It is most common among Europeans and Ashkenazi Jews; one in twenty-two people of European descent carry one gene for CF, making it the most common genetic disease in these populations.

CF is caused by a mutation in a gene called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The product of this gene is a chloride ion channel important in creating sweat, digestive juices, and mucus. Although most people without CF have two working copies of the CFTR gene, only one is needed to prevent cystic fibrosis. CF develops when neither gene works normally. Therefore, CF is considered an autosomal recessive disease.

Testimony

If you’ve got CF or know a person who’ve got CF, please Be positive, each person is unique and the research is improving regularly. I’ve got Two children with CF, they’ve been diagnosed very late. I think it is better to know what is wrong with your children so that you can help them, that not knowing at all. When you are aware of an illness, you can get the right treatment, and have a normal life!

Feel Free to add any comments share your experience, add some informations!

Click Here to read about a gluten Free Diet

Click Here to read about Cystic fibrosis Exercices