Research Paper on Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that affects about 20,000 people per year in the US. 

Cystic fibrosis is caused by a genetic defect that triggers the mucous-producing glands to make an excessive amount of abnormally thick and sticky mucous, it results in the clogging of the tubes, ducts, and airway passages of the body with mucous.

Although cystic fibrosis cannot be cured there are several treatment options. Patients with cystic fibrosis can be prescribed antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and mucous thinners to help. Other treatment options are breathing treatments to help loosen mucous and improve breathing, oxygen therapy is also an option for patients if the blood oxygen levels decline, oxygen therapy is where the patient breaths in pure oxygen to prevent high blood pressure in the lungs. 

Patients with cystic fibrosis have an average life expectancy of 30-40 years this can be shorter or longer dependent on certain factors such as age and severity of the patients’ condition. Quality of life with cystic fibrosis has been greatly improved with the current treatments offered, before the 1980s half of patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis did not live into their 20s. Children with cystic fibrosis are at greater risk for certain infections and injuries mainly in the lungs, sinuses, and digestive system.

How do you prevent your child from having cystic fibrosis you may ask? The only way to prevent having a child with cystic fibrosis is through genetic counseling with your partner prior to conceiving a child. Cystic fibrosis is most common in Caucasians although it can affect anyone of any race or ethnicity.  

Did you know that Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder, it develops because of a defective gene that is on chromosome 7 and it stops salt from moving in and out of the cell effectively. It is recessive, so In order for cystic fibrosis to be passed down to a child, both mother, and father must be carriers of the faulty gene.

Now let’s talk about symptoms people experience, here are some but not all symptoms that patients have that have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis persistent cough, postnasal drip, wheezing, shortness of breath, poor growth and low body weight, male infertility, lung infections, inability to exercise, salty-tasting skin. Those are just a fraction of symptoms you can have from cystic fibrosis.

Overall cystic fibrosis can be mild to a very deadly disorder but with modern-day treatments that have been improved over the years, life expectancy and survival rates have gone up for patients suffering from this disorder. Hopefully, as the years go on and medical treatments improve with research and technology the rates of success for patients with this disorder will go up even more.