Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that affects the exocrine glands responsible for the production of mucus and sweat. It also affects the lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, sinuses and sex organs. Mucus is normally watery and its function is to keep the walls and linings of the specified organs moist and to prevent them from infection. In cystic fibrosis, there is an abnormal production of mucus and sweat in the body. This overproduction can clog up the lungs and block the airways making breathing very difficult. At the same time, bacteria can grow in this moist environment and result to serious lung infections. In the pancreas, the sticky mucus can block the ducts and prevent the digestive enzymes produced in the pancreas from reaching to the stomach. Therefore, digestion is abnormal especially when fats and proteins are not properly absorbed. For patients with cystic fibrosis, respiratory failure is the most common cause of death. Unfortunately, there is still no known cure for this disease except for the alleviation of the symptoms by providing palliative care.
Cystic Fibrosis Association Coordinator