Kalynn and Andrianna Cole\nborn on Decemeber 17 1987 in houston texas\n\n\n
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There is only 30,000 people in the United States with Cystic Fibrosis.It is most common with Caucasians. 1 in 17,000 African Americans, and 1 in 31,000 Asian American have this disease. 1 in 29 americans carry the CF gene, but do not have the disease. \n
Cystic Fibrosis is a life threatening disease that is inherited from the parents that mainly affects the respiratory and digestive systems. It also alters the way the person can digest. Its inherited through a mutated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene. Both parents have to be carriers of this mutated gene. if a parent passes one mutated gene then the child is CF carrier which means if they give this disease to thier children. If each parent passes a mutated gene then the child has Cystic Fibrosis. CF is usually diagnosed at an early age. \n
This gene is located on the 7th chromosome of DNA. This section of DNA regulates salt and water movement throughout the body. The water movement in the body allows the mucus that your body makes to be free-flowing. The mutated gene does not flow the salt and water throughout the body correctly so it causes thick mucus that does not flow easily throughout the body. \n
The mucus glands are located in several parts of the body. They gives off mucus that lubricates the lungs allowing for easy inhaling and exhaling. In a CF patient the mucus is thick and it clogs the lungs because the mutated CFTR gene does not do its job. The mucus glad also gives off enzymes that help the pancreas in digestion. \n
since the mucus is not free-flowing throughout the body it settles in the bottom of the lung causing many lung infections such as............................. Anti-biotics are given to help the infection but after a while the bacteria gets used to the medicine and resists it causing more infections. All these lung infections causes the patient to be in and out of the hospital many times through out thier lives. It may also result in permanent damage to the lungs such as build up of scar tissue and cysts. Cysts are growths that are filled with a fluid or gas. \n
The pancreas secrets enzymes that break down and digest food. The thick mucus blocks the pancreas causing the patient to have digestive issues. These issues include poor digestion, abdominal pain, malnutrition, delayed growth, and even massive weight loss. \n
The chloride ions that allow the water to move throughout the body are not doing their job in the body of a CF patient. The ions are supposed to carry the water through the body and this water movement allows the mucus to flow easily. When the ion does not do its job the mucus does not flow which allows the salt in the body to build up. The salt then leaves the body through its pores which makes for salty skin. mothers who have a child with CF often stated that they tasted the salt in the skin when they kissed their child. \n
Since the digestive system of a CF patient is corrupted, the nutrients that the patient needs to be healthy and grow are not absorbed from the food. Since this absorption is not taking place, the patient has trouble growing and gaining weight. \n
Since the airways to the lung are clogged by the mucus build up the patient has breathing issues i.e shortness of breath while playing sports. It also can cause wheezing and continuous coughing. \n
The lack of oxygen flowing through the patients body can cause rounding of the finger nails and toe nails, this is a symptom known as clubbing. \n
These the 2 tests that can determine if you have CF. The blood tests looks for the difference in the CFTR gene that tells the doctor if CF is present. The sweat test measures the amount of salt in the sweat of the child. Two electrodes are attached to the body. One of these has pilocarpine gel. This is a medicine that makes the skin sweat. These electrodes are removed and a device is placed on the sweat to collect it. It is then taken to a machine that measures the amount of sweat. \n
Doctors have not found a cure for CF, but there is many things that can help a patient breath better. Anti-biotics help with the lung infections. Breathing machines help the patient breath better and positive expiratory pressure (PEP) device are used to clear the airways. \n
Bronchadilators are breathing machines that relax the muscles in the lung airways making it easier to breath. It is given through a nebulizer or inhaler. A nebulizer is a type of machine that gives medicine to the patient in liquid form. It is breathed in so it directly enters the lungs. \n\n
a vest can be put on the back of a child and it pats thier back. With this patting it relives the mucus from the lungs making it easier for the lungs to move in the breathing process. \n
