1. Cystic Fibrosis

2. What is cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive tract. It is one of the most common chronic lung diseases in children and young adults, and may result in early death.

3. Symptoms Symptoms in newborns may include: Delayed growth
Failure to gain weight normally during childhood
No bowel movements in first 24 to 48 hours of life
Salty-tasting skin
Symptoms related to bowel function may include:
Belly pain from severe constipation
Increased gas, bloating, or a belly that appears swollen (distended)
Nausea and loss of appetite
foul smelling, have mucus, or that float
Weight loss
Symptoms related to the lungs and sinuses may include:
Coughing or increased mucus in the sinuses or lungs
fatigue
Nasal congestion caused by nasal polyps
Recurrent episodes of pneumonia.
Symptoms in someone with cystic fibrosis include:
Fever
Increased coughing
Increased shortness of breath
Loss of appetite
More sputum

4. Cause of Cystic Fibrosis
CF cannot be "caught" like a cold or the flu. It's genetic and is caused by inheriting two copies of the same abnormal gene, one from each parent. People who get one defective and one normal copy of the gene are said to be "carriers" of the CF gene. Carriers don't get CF, but they have the abnormal CF gene that can be passed on to their children.
Relative with CF
Your carrier risk
Parent or child
1 in 1 (100%)
Siblings
2 in 3 (67%)
Niece or nephew
1 in 2 (50%)
Aunt or uncle
1 in 3 (33%)
Cousin
1 in 4 (25%)

5. Hereditary disease
The disease is passed from parents to children through genes. People who have cystic fibrosis inherit two faulty genes for the disease—one from each parent. The parents likely don't have the disease themselves.

6. Treatments for cystic fibrosis
Treatment includes digestive enzyme supplements, dietary changes, immunizations, physical therapy, and medications. More recently, some CF patients with terminal lung disease have received lung transplants. Children need to eat a well-balanced diet rich in calories and protein. Keeping a child's immunizations (vaccine shots) up to date is extremely important to protect them from infections.