Understanding Cystic Fibrosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

A genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs in the body.
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Genetic Disorders | Respiratory Health | Nutritional Management | Cystic Fibrosis Treatment | CF Symptoms | Genetic Testing For CF
Prepared by Lee Cheng, reviewed by Dr. Helena Rodriguez

Cystic Fibrosis FAQ


Image credit: verywellhealth.com

What is cystic fibrosis (CF)?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition affecting more than 10,800 people in the UK. Find out more about the condition and how it is caused here.

What causes cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition. It's caused by a faulty gene that affects the movement of salt and water in and out of cells. This, along with recurrent infections, can result in a build-up of thick, sticky mucus in the body's tubes and passageways – particularly the lungs and digestive system.

How is cystic fibrosis diagnosed in the UK?

In the UK, most cases of cystic fibrosis are picked up at birth using the newborn screening heel prick test. Symptoms usually start in early childhood and vary from child to child, but the condition gets slowly worse over time, with the lungs and digestive system becoming increasingly damaged.

Is cystic fibrosis a fatal illness?

In the past, cystic fibrosis was considered to be a fatal illness. People who had it died in childhood. This is no longer true. Today, most children who have CF grow up to be adults with CF. A note from Cleveland Clinic If you have cystic fibrosis or your child has CF, you know that this genetic disorder requires lifelong management.

How does cystic fibrosis affect the body?

This, along with recurrent infections, can result in a build-up of thick, sticky mucus in the body's tubes and passageways – particularly the lungs and digestive system. A person with cystic fibrosis is born with the condition.

Can cystic fibrosis be cured?

There's no cure for cystic fibrosis, but a range of treatments can help control the symptoms, prevent or reduce complications, and make the condition easier to live with. People with cystic fibrosis may need to take different medicines to treat and prevent lung problems.

How common is cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is the most common life-limiting autosomal recessive disease among people of European heritage. In the United States, about 30,000 individuals have CF; most are diagnosed by six months of age. In Canada, about 4,000 people have CF.

Cystic Fibrosis References

If you want to know more about Cystic Fibrosis, consider exploring links below:

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