Health

Cystic fibrosis, symptoms, causes, and treatment

Cystic fibrosis is a serious genetic condition that causes severe damage to the respiratory and digestive systems, often caused by the accumulation of thick and sticky mucus in the organs. 

What is cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting the young cells that produce sweat, mucus, and digestive enzymes. Usually, these fluids are thin and smooth like olive oil. While the genetic mutation caused by cystic fibrosis thickens mucus and other body fluids, it can disrupt organ function. For a better treatment of this disease, you can visit any online medical store.

Such as air movement in the lungs that can trap bacteria in the lungs and cause infection. Cystic fibrosis can cause complications such as breathing problems and malnutrition.

What are the symptoms of cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis symptoms can vary depending on the individual and the severity of their condition, and symptoms can develop at different ages. In some people, symptoms may appear in childhood, while in others they may not appear until after puberty or throughout life.

According to the parents of children with cystic fibrosis, one of the symptoms is the salty taste of their skin that can be felt when kissed. Lungs, pancreas, liver, and other glandular organs are affected.

Breathing problems

Thick, sticky mucus associated with cystic fibrosis that blocks the airways in the lungs can cause symptoms such as wheezing, persistent cough with mucus, shortness of breath, lung infection, and stuffy or stuffy nose. 

Digestive problems

Abnormal mucus can also affect the channels that carry enzymes produced by the pancreas to the small intestine. Without these digestive enzymes, the intestine cannot absorb the necessary nutrients from food, resulting in various problems such as foul-smelling stools, constipation, nausea, bloating, loss of appetite, being underweight in children, developmental delay in children, etc

What causes cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is caused by a defect in a gene called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene or CFTR gene. It controls the movement of water and salt in and out of the line-up’s body. A sudden change in them causes your mucus to become excessively thick and sticky.

This abnormal mucus increases the amount of salt in your sweat and affects the intestines, pancreas, lungs, and liver. Different disorders affect the CFTR gene, but the most common cause of cystic fibrosis is the transmission of the affected gene from parent to child.

 Treatment of cystic fibrosis

Medicines

Antibiotics: The doctor prescribes antibiotics to get rid of the lung infection and prevent future infections.

Mucus-thinning medicines: These medicines help to thin the mucus so that the mucus is coughed up easily and the lungs can function properly.

Anti-inflammatory drugs: Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce inflammation to a limited extent, doctors usually prescribe such drugs to young children, except for those with severe lung disease and those older than 18 years. Not effective for people.

Lung discomfort, difficulty breathing, or a persistent cough can be a signal of a serious illness that should not be taken lightly.

It relaxes the muscles around the tubes that carry air into the lungs: Bronchodilators Inhalers that help increase air pressure can be used with an inhaler or nebulizer.

Surgical procedures

Intestinal surgery: Intestinal obstruction can be removed through surgery, and if necessary, the blocked part of the intestine can be cut.

Feeding tube: Cystic fibrosis can disrupt digestion and prevent you from absorbing nutrients from food. A feeding tube may be passed through the nag or surgically inserted directly into the stomach to deliver nutrition.

Double Lung Transplantation: A lung transplant can help improve your life and health when it is no longer possible to medically manage your cystic fibrosis and maintain the health of your lungs. 

How can cystic fibrosis be prevented?

Cystic fibrosis cannot be prevented, but genetic testing should be done in couples who have cystic fibrosis or in their family members.

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