1. 30,000 American’s; 3,000 Canadian’s; and over 20,000 European’s have this disease. 1 in every 20 Americans carry the abnormal CF gene approximately 2,500 babies are born with CF every year in the United States.

2. -- Is a chronic, progressive, and frequently fatal generic disease of the body’s mucous glands. This disease primarily effects the respiratory and digestive system in children and young adults. The mucous in CF patients is very thick and accumulates in the intestines and lungs causing problems such as malnutrition, poor growth, frequent respiratory infection, breathing difficulties and eventually permanent lung damage. The expected life span for someone who has CF is now 31 years old, where as only a short while ago was once fatal in childhood.

3. Cystic Fibrosis is caused by an abnormal gene that has to be carried by both parents and passed on to the child. The problems vary in some ways, but the basic problem of CF is: An abnormality in the gland that usually over produce sweat and mucous. Patients with CF lose major amounts of salt when they sweat. This causes problems in keeping a balance of minerals in the blood, which in turn can cause irregular hear rhythms and also cause irregular hear rhythms and also the possibility of going into shock. the possibility of going into shock.

4. Sinusitis --inflammation of the nasal sinuses, the cavities in the skull; above, behind, and on both sides of the nose. Nasal Polyps --fleshy growth inside the nose Clubbing --rounding and enlargements of the fingers and toes. Pneumothorax --rupture of the lung tissue and trapping of air between the lungs and chest wall. Hemopatysis --coughing up of blood Cor Pulmonale --the enlargement of the right side of the heart Abdominal pain and discomfort, gasiness --too much gas in the intestine

5. Lung disease is usually the number one reason for death in CF patients. Because the mucous being produced is so thick and abnormal, patients with CF are more likely to get Lung infections and the air way becomes frequently obstructed. Patients go through daily Chest therapy, which is bronchial and/or postural drainage by placing the patient in positions that will allow the mucous to drain from the lungs and out of the airway. This can be done by a parent (if the patient is a young child) or by the patient his/herself when they are older.

6. Digestive problems are usually less serious and are easily taken care of then those dealing with the lungs. Same with the lungs; the abnormally thick mucous created causes problems in the digestion process. It can create, like in the lungs, obstructions that block the intestine. To prevent digestive problems from occurring, CF patients have to be on a well-balanced diet--high-caloric, low in fat, high in protein, and usually take pancreatic enzymes (helping in the digestion process) and vitamin supplements (usually A, D, E, and K)

7. Digestive Medications: Pancreatic enzymes Vitamin Supplements--A, D, E, and K Lung and Breathing Medications: Aerosolized (mists) inhalers Bronchodilators (widen the breathing tubes) Mucolytics (thin the mucous) Decongestants (reduce swelling of the membranes and breathing tubes New advancements are being made, coming up with new aerosolized enzymes to thin the mucous by digesting the cellular material trapped in it. Also new antibiotics are being made to fight lung infections.

8. These include creating new aerosolized enzymes that will digest the cellular material trapped in the mucous. Also new antibiotics to fight lung infections are being made that are stronger and more efficient. More research is going into the development of Colloidal Silver as a possible antibiotic that will help reduce lung infection in CF patients.

9. is a suspension of silver in a gelatinous base, that have particles of pure silver electrically suspended in pure water. particles of pure silver electrically suspended in pure water. It can be taken orally, through intramuscular injection, or intravenous injection. It has shown to kill over 650 pathogens including: Bacteria Viruses Yeast Mold Fungus Parasites

10. A 12th grade student: Respiratory Problems: Has some permanent lung damage, but not extensive. Has chronic sinus problems--has had 8 sinus surgeries to help fix the problem Develops nasal polyps Sinus Headaches--few days a week to daily Digestive Problems: Takes enzyme tablets with food Some stomach pain and gas Gallbladder spasms--assimilates labor pains lasting a minute or more

11. Dehydration Problems: Has tendency to become dehydrated Soar throats Joints Problems: Seeing a rheumatologist--on an anti-inflammatory medication Medications: Takes Pancrease, Tylenol, Albuterol Inhaler, and Naprosyn Takes Enzyme tablets, prescription Vitamins, stomach tablet, tablet to thin the mucous, tablet for joint pain, inhaler antibiotic, and inhalant to thin mucous, nose spray, nasal inhaler, two regular inhalers, plus 30 minutes of therapy to clear the airways.

12. It is nearly impossible to prevent CF from happening, and it is possible to detect gene mutations in unborn babies by prenatal genetic testing, but cannot detect all of the CF gene mutation. Babies with the two abnormal genes for CF, will already have signs of it at birth in some organs (pancreas and liver) and will develop in other organs (lungs and intestine) through time. In the Future, maybe Gene Therapy to help prevent lung disease from developing.