Essay on Cystic Fibrosis - 1025 Words

Cystic Fibrosis is a disorder where the exocrine glands secrete abnormally thick mucus, leading to obstruction of the pancreas and chronic infections of the lungs, which usually cause death in childhood or early adulthood. Some mildly affected patients may survive longer. Doctors can diagnose the disease by testing the patients perspiration because people with Cystic Fibrosis have high amounts of salt in their perspiration. Those with respiratory infections are treated with antibiotics, with aerosols that relieve constriction of the airways and liquefy the thick mucus, and by physical therapy to help patients cough up the obstructing secretions. Patients with pancreatic insufficiency can take pancreatic enzymes with meals.†¦show more content†¦The sickle-shaped red cells interfere with normal blood flow by plugging up small blood vessels. Sickle-cell anemia occurs when an individual inherits a sickle-cell gene from each parent. Programs have been initiated to detect carriers, who do not themselves show the trait; such carriers are informed that a child resulting from the union of two carriers runs a one in four risk of having sickle-cell disease. Therapy for sickle-cell anemia is largely symptomatic. Preventive administration of penicillin to affected children by the age of four months greatly decreases mortality from infections. For this reason, routine screening of newborns for sickle-cell anemia is currently carried out in more than 40 states within the United States. Down Syndrome Down Syndrome, which used to be called mongolism, is a congenital malformation accompanied by moderate to severe mental retardation, is caused by a chromosomal abnormality. People with Down syndrome are often short in height and have a small, round head with a high, flattened forehead and split, dry lips and tongue. A typical feature is a fold of skin, the epicanthic fold, on either side of the bridge of the nose. The palms show a single transverse crease and the soles have a straight crease from the heel to the space between the first and second toes. These people are also subject to congenital heart defects and tend to develop leukemia. TheirShow MoreRelatedCystic Fibrosis983 Words   |  4 Pages Can viruses used as vectors in the process of gene therapy be an effective treatment for Cystic Fibrosis? Firstly, Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic and recessive disease that mostly affects the lungs and pancreas. This leads to phlegm accumulation, salty sweat, male infertility, shortness of breath and increased risk of infection, which all contribute to premature death (CFF, 2017). Since it is recessive, you need two copies of the gene to manifest the disease, but 1/30 Americans have at least one copyRead MoreA Report On Cystic Fibrosis945 Words   |  4 PagesCystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis is described as a â€Å"congenital disorder affecting exocrine gland function, with respiratory effects, including excessive secretions, obstruction of the bronchial system, infection, and tissue damage† (Kowalczyk, 2014). Cystic fibrosis is also known as CF, and is the most common lethal disease in white children (Kowalczyk, 2014). People whom have CF have â€Å"histologically† normal lungs at birth. Lung damage occurs when secretions from the enlarged bronchial glands graduallyRead More Cystic Fibrosis Essay1129 Words   |  5 Pages Cystic Fibrosis is a severe hereditary disease that infects the lungs, digestive system, sweat glands and male fertility. The name Cystic Fibrosis derives from the Fibrous scar tissue that develops in the pancreas. First recognized in 1938, cystic fibrosis is generalized as an autosomal recessive disorder of the exocrine glands. About one in every 2500 Caucasians is affected, and one in 25 is a carrier of the cystic fibrosis gene. Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal hereditaryRead MoreEssay on Cystic Fibrosis1790 Words   |  8 Pagesperson with Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that forces a person to drown in mucus that fills their lungs while it wreaks havoc on the body. This chronic disease causes devastating health problems, has no cure, and forces patients to endure painful temporary treatments. Taking daily medications, maintaining a social life, and staying moderately healthy are a constant struggle for people with Cystic Fibrosis. Unlike many of the diseases that plague people today Cystic Fibrosis is givenRead MoreEssay on Cystic Fibrosis1134 Words   |  5 PagesCystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis is the most common lethal inherited disease, affecting about 30,000 patients worldwide. In the past decade, strides in patient management and the development of new pharmacological agents, coupled with scientific and technological advances, have increased the mean life expectancy of CF patients to approximately 30 years of age (approximately 50% of CF patients live to the age of 30). As early as 30 years ago, the median survival age was 8 years. ChronicRead MoreWhat is Cystic Fibrosis?903 Words   |  4 PagesCystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterised by a mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein which acts as a chlorine channel that regulates water and ion levels across the epithelia. Cystic fibrosis can affect sweat glands, the respiratory system, digestive system and the reproductive system. In the lungs defects in the CFTR protein results in airway surface liquid depletion, triggering a cascade of events resulting in infectionRead MoreA Study On Cystic Fibrosis1042 Words   |  5 PagesCystic fibrosis is due to a mutation in the gene that encodes cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. It effects the exocrine glands which are responsible for making mucus and sweat. It causes a thickening of the mucus in your body and increases the salt content of your sweat. These can lead to problems including problems absorbing oxygen, lung infections, inhibit digestive enzymes from reaching your small intestine, dehydration, increased heart rate, lower blood pressureRead MoreCystic Fibrosis : A Defect3451 Words   |  14 PagesRunning head: Cystic Fibrosis: A Defect in the CFTR Gene Cystic Fibrosis: A Defect in the CFTR Gene Alexandra L Allen Southern Union State Community College RAD212: Image Evaluation and Pathology Abstract What is Cystic Fibrosis? How does it affect people living with it? Cystic Fibrosis, also known as CF, is a life-threatening hereditary disease. It is inherited by a faulty cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductor (CFTR) geneRead MoreIntroduction. Cystic Fibrosis . Cystic Fibrosis (Cf) Is1323 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Cystic fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lethal autosomal recessive disorder with a clinical incidence of 1 in every 3500 newborns1. Currently, over 4000 Canadians have CF, with 60% being adults2. In the past, CF was considered a fatal disease with a life expectancy of less than two years, however, advances in enzymatic and antibiotic therapy have greatly improved the life expectancy of patients afflicted with CF3. Currently, the median age of Canadian CF patients is 50 years2. CFRead More Cystic Fibrosis Essay3952 Words   |  16 Pagessupplements, and other medications. In the past, the life expectancy of people with CF used to only be 8 years. However, with todays many medical advances, the average life expectancy is just under 30 years and is continuing to increase. Common cystic fibrosis symptoms involve: high amounts of salt (sodium and chloride) and potassium in sweat constant coughing and wheezing large amounts of mucus in the lungs recurring pneumonia failure to gain weight frequent, greasy