|
When
speaking about Cystic Fibrosis it is critical that people
truly understand, that not only is it a chronic and progressive
disease, but one that manifests differently in all those affected.
| Number
Afflicted: |
Approx.
30,000 |
| Life
Expectancy: |
50
percent of those afflicted with CF live to be 30. |
| Cure: |
Currently
none available |
| Cause: |
Genetic
mutation |
|
Symptoms:
|
Very
salty-tasting skin; excessive appetite coupled with
poor weight gain; bulky foul smelling stools; persistent
coughing, wheezing or pneumonia. |
Characteristics:
|
Abundant
production of very thick and sticky mucus providing
a perfect breeding ground for infections and blockages
throughout the body. |
|
Although
it appears a "small" number of people are afflicted
with this disease, the numbers would be much greater if it
were not quite so toxic, progressive and quickly terminal.
Although
the disease manifests itself in many ways, for children with
CF, the two main affected areas are the digestive and respiratory
systems.
In
the digestive system, mucus plugging blocks the release of
enzymes from the pancreas causing malabsorption and subsequently
a failure to thrive. Supplemental enzymes and at times feeding
tubes are needed to ensure that the child is able to maintain
nutritional/caloric status.
However
it is the chronic, constant infections and buildup of mucus
plugging in the lung tissue that eventually lead to the destruction
of the lungs and ultimate death for these children. CF is
a cruel disease that requires the child to engage in a life
long battle - a battle that never ends.
|
