What is Cystic Fibrosis? Symptoms and Treatments

It is a genetic disorder which is inherited from parents to their offspring. This occurs due to gene defect thus causing changes in the protein produced by it. That protein control movement of salt in and out of the cell. A child must inherit one copy of the defective gene from each to have this disease. Cystic fibrosis can cause dire results in the individuals carrying the responsible gene. CF affects secretions of the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. Usually, fluids from the organs are thin and watery, but in patients with possible gene defects, the secretions are thick and sticky. The sticky nature of the fluids clogs the passage of the secretions.

Dr. Sheetu Singh is a leading pulmonologist with great enthusiasm and passion for helping people with respiratory ailments. She explains, in the respiratory tract, if thick mucus gets accumulate, it blocks the airways causing interrupt passage for the exchange of gases. This makes it difficult to breathe for a person. Mucus tends to trap antigens and pathogens. Trap pathogens are remove along with mucus or are destroy. However, in this case, since mucus remains clogged, infection pertains within. Such conditions can give rise to severe lung damage and respiratory troubles. 

Symptoms:-

According to Dr. Sheetu Singh, symptoms of CF include the following

• Thick mucus and persistent cough. 
• Recurring lung infections. 
• Sounds while breathing. 
• Repeated sinusitis
• Then, stuffed nose with thick mucus. 

Complications in respiratory systems include various conditions such as bronchiectasis, formation of polyps in the nasal cavity, respiratory failures etc. 

In case of digestive difficulties from the disease symptoms can be: 

• In newborns, blockage in the intestine is commonly observe. 
• Foul-smelling stools, greasy. 
• Long-term complaint of constipation.

Treatment:-

There is no cure for this disease but can be prevent. Preventive measures can help improve the quality of life and help lead a better life. Some preventive measures include: –

• Providing nutrition and building immunity to prevent infections. 
• Controlling infections occurring in the lungs. 
• Removal of mucus from the respiratory tract to clear the airways for the transport of gases. 
• Medication specifically targeting gene mutation can be use. 
• Lung infections are prevent using antibiotics. 
• Bronchodilators can be used that help in keeping the bronchial relaxed open to keep open the airways. 
• Drugs to remove the thickness of mucus such as hypertonic saline help to cough out the mucus. 
• Then, anti-inflammatory medicines are used to reduce inflammation in the lungs. 

A person with cystic fibrosis can usually go to school and work, despite the disease being progressive and requiring daily care. Their quality of life is often better than that of previous generations of people with CF. People with CF are now living into their mid-30s and 40s, and some are even living into their 50s due to improvements in screening and treatment. Other techniques used are vest therapy, and nasal and sinus surgeries are recommended. Consult a specialist for proper diagnosis and followed treatment.