Cystic_Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis What is Cystic Fibrosis' Many sources describe it as an autosomal recessive trait of the 7th chromosome. It mainly affects the lungs and digestive system. This disease affects the chloride transport resulting in abnormal mucus production. In this disease, the abnormal chloride channels in some tissues causes water to be drawn into the cells from intercellular spaces causing secretions to dry out in the lungs and pancreas. This causes the body to secrete an abnormally thick, sticky mucus (Microsoft Encarta 2003). The mutation of the gene causes severe lung infection and obstruction and digestive difficulties (Hole 134). Mucus clogs the ducts of the pancreas, preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines. These enzymes are important to the body to break down food for proper growth and weight gain. This is why most people affected by CF have a healthy and normal appetite, but no weight gain. In the lungs, the obstructed airways attract bacteria making the lungs susceptible to infection and even chronic lung damage. There is usually extensive obstruction of the bronchioles and expiration is particularly difficult. It affects both males and females equally. cf, fibrosis, cystic, gene, disease, patients, mucus, lung, sweat, years, one, child, therapy, people, lungs, life, causes, age, treatment, tests, symptoms, mutations, infection, however, chloride, affects, affected, abnormal, women, two, transport, through, thousand, thirty, test