Traveling with CF Exploring new things CF doesn't have to stop you from traveling to see the world or visit loved ones. Find a Care Center. Lung Transplant. Advanced Disease Progressing through the disease You can best manage advanced cystic fibrosis lung disease ACFLD when you know what to expect, what resources you can use, and the community of people with whom you can share your experiences.
Jump back to top. Although people with the condition require daily care, they can still lead a relatively normal life and work or attend school.
Screening tests and treatment methods have improved in recent years, so many people with cystic fibrosis can now live into their 40s and 50s.
The symptoms of cystic fibrosis can vary depending on the person and the severity of the condition. The age at which symptoms develop can also differ. Symptoms may appear at infancy, but for other children, symptoms may not begin until after puberty or even later in life. As time passes, the symptoms associated with the disease may get better or worse. One of the first signs of cystic fibrosis is a strong salty taste to the skin.
Parents of children with cystic fibrosis have mentioned tasting this saltiness when kissing their children. The thick, sticky mucus associated with cystic fibrosis often blocks the passageways that carry air into and out of the lungs. This can cause the following symptoms:. The abnormal mucus can also plug up the channels that carry the enzymes produced by the pancreas to the small intestine.
This can result in:. This abnormal mucus builds up in various organs throughout the body, including the:. Many different defects can affect the CFTR gene.
The type of defect is associated with the severity of cystic fibrosis. The damaged gene is passed on to the child from their parents. In order to have cystic fibrosis, a child must inherit one copy of the gene from each parent. Cystic fibrosis is most common among people of Northern European descent. The diagnosis of CF requires clinical symptoms consistent with CF in at least one organ system and evidence of CFTR dysfunction usually based on an abnormal sweat chloride test or the presence of mutations in the CFTR gene.
The immunoreactive trypsinogen IRT test is a standard newborn screening test that checks for abnormal levels of the protein called IRT in the blood. A high level of IRT may be a sign of cystic fibrosis. However, further testing is required to confirm the diagnosis. The sweat chloride test is the most commonly used test for diagnosing cystic fibrosis. It checks for increased levels of salt in the sweat. The test is performed by using a chemical that makes the skin sweat when triggered by a weak electric current.
Sweat is collected on a pad or paper and then analyzed. Donating to them helps ensure the continued research for a cure. These organizations include:. If you have CF, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial. Most of these clinical trials are conducted through research hospitals.
When you have cystic fibrosis, you can get pregnant and carry a baby to term. Read on to learn how the condition can affect your pregnancy, testing….
College is a major transition. Having a chronic condition like cystic fibrosis can make college a little more complicated, but certainly not…. If you are a carrier for cystic fibrosis, that means you could pass on the gene to your children. Learn more about being a carrier. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Is There a Cure for Cystic Fibrosis? Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Research Incidence Complications Outlook Get involved Overview Cystic fibrosis CF is an inherited disorder that damages your lungs and digestive system.
Getting involved. Is Cystic Fibrosis Contagious?
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