What is Cystic Fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.
In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.
Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis
People with CF can have a variety of symptoms, including:
-very salty-tasting skin
-persistent coughing, at times with phlegm
-frequent lung infections
-wheezing or shortness of breath
-poor growth/weight gain in spite of a good appetite
-frequent greasy, bulky stools or difficulty in bowel movements.
Statistics
-About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year.
-More than 70% of patients are diagnosed by age two.
-More than 40% of the CF patient population is age 18 or older.
-The predicted median age of survival for a person with CF is more than 37 years.
*The above information is from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, www.cff.org.
In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.
Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis
People with CF can have a variety of symptoms, including:
-very salty-tasting skin
-persistent coughing, at times with phlegm
-frequent lung infections
-wheezing or shortness of breath
-poor growth/weight gain in spite of a good appetite
-frequent greasy, bulky stools or difficulty in bowel movements.
Statistics
-About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year.
-More than 70% of patients are diagnosed by age two.
-More than 40% of the CF patient population is age 18 or older.
-The predicted median age of survival for a person with CF is more than 37 years.
*The above information is from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, www.cff.org.
Recommended Links
The CF community is full over devoted, committed individuals and organizations - united by our common goal... fighting for a cure to CF & doing everything we can in the here and now to live the best life possible.
There are many organizations with powerful missions making a difference. There are many individuals who share their story through blogs and videos. Take a look. It's always encouraging to realize we are not alone in this battle. Below are just a few of the site I recommend...
There are many organizations with powerful missions making a difference. There are many individuals who share their story through blogs and videos. Take a look. It's always encouraging to realize we are not alone in this battle. Below are just a few of the site I recommend...
| CF Organizations Cystic Fibrosis Foundation www.cff.org
Breathe for Tomorrow breathe4tomorrow.org Blooming Rose Foundation www.bloomingrosefoundation.org Rock CF Foundation www.letsrockcf.org European Cystic Fibrosis Society www.ecfs.eu Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide www.cfww.org | CF Resources & Networking| CF Awareness Moganko for CF www.mogankoforcf.org
| Give Back Donate Life donatelife.net
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