Living with Cystic Fibrosis
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What is cystic fibrosis?
If you or someone you love has cystic fibrosis, then you
understand the difficulties that come with living with this
disease. So what exactly is it and how does it affect the body?
Cystic fibrosis is a chronic disease of the lungs and digestive
system that is inherited and affects about 30,000 people ever
year, both adults and children. This condition is caused by a
defective gene which causes the body to produce thick, sticky
mucus that clogs the lungs, making it difficult to breathe and
causing life-threatening lung infections.
Cystic fibrosis symptoms
The symptoms of cystic fibrosis may include salty-tasting
skin, persistent cough with phlegm, wheezing and shortness of
breath, lung infections, poor growth and weight gain,
difficulty with bowel movements, etc. Statistics show that
around 1,000 new cases of CF are discovered each year and most
people are diagnosed before the age of two. New testing
techniques allow people to get a diagnosis at an earlier age,
making it easier to seek proper treatment and maintenance of
the condition.
Back about 50 years ago or before, people with cystic
fibrosis would be expected to not make it into their teens. In
fact, most children with the disease would not make it to
elementary school. But today new advancements have made it
possible for people with cystic fibrosis to live much longer
lives and in many cases even live fairly normal lives, even
with the condition.
Over 40% of the cystic fibrosis population today is over the
age of 18 with the average life span reaching 37 years old.
This may seem grim to some but when compared to the statistics
of a few years ago, that is a major advancement. Advancements
also include better treatments to help with CF in children and
adults.
Cystic fibrosis treatment
Some treatments include causing cough to help loosen the
mucus in the airways to increase breathing. There are also new
therapies to help increase longevity and there are many
organizations to help people with cystic fibrosis and their
families. If you or someone in your family has cystic fibrosis,
don’t be afraid to seek all the help you can get. You don’t
have to live with this disease alone. The more you learn about
lung health and how to increase your lung health, the longer
and happier you will live.
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