Cystic Fibrosis: Genetic Disease

Jasmine Nguyen

37852068

Child Health Psychology

May 23, 2016

Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease of the secretory glands that affects the person’s ability to breathe over time as well as causing persistent lung infections. The source of cystic fibrosis is a defective gene that affects the secretory glands and causes them to create mucus that is thick and sticky which eventually builds up in organs such as the lungs, pancreas, liver, sinuses, sex organs, and intestines. When mucus enters the lungs of those with cystic fibrosis, the mucus clogs the airways of the lung and leads to bacteria getting trapped which eventually results in the person getting infections of the lung, extensive lung damage, and respiratory failure. Mucus

This is impossible because cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease, which requires both parents to be carriers of the disease and cannot simply be contracted through contact. Another myth is that children with cystic fibrosis are unable to fully live their lives. While this might have been true in the 1950’s, where children with cystic fibrosis often did not live past elementary school, it is untrue now with advancements in treatments. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the median survival age is close to 40 years old which allows those with the disease to have more time to achieve their goals and

Because the severity of cystic fibrosis may vary from person to person, patients work closely with their doctors and have a treatment tailored to their own unique circumstances. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the goals of cystic fibrosis treatment is “preventing and controlling lung infections, loosening and removing thick, sticky mucus from the lungs, preventing or treating blockages in the intestines, providing enough nutrition, and preventing dehydration” (INSERT NHLB CITATION HERE). In the traditional cystic fibrosis care model; it is recommended that a patient visit a cystic fibrosis care center at least quarterly during the year. At the care center, respiratory cultures are obtained, dual-energy c-ray absorptiometry is performed, chest x-rays, lab work for blood, and a complete spirometry evaluation is done (INSERT LIVE LONGER ARTICLE CITATION). Patients with cystic fibrosis might also partake in chest physical therapy, which is therapy in which your chest and back are pounded constantly with a device or hands in order to loosen up the mucus in the lungs so that the mucus can be coughed out. People who partake in chest physical therapy often complain that it is a painful or uncomfortable treatment. There have been several devices that have been created in order to counteract these difficulties such as an a