Cystic Fibrosis Research

Hello. My name is Tracie. I would like to discuss a big disease that nobody really knows about. It is called Cystic Fibrosis, or CF. I was very unaware that this disease even existed until my little one year old neice was diagnosed with it. I would like to give a little backround information that would help everyone understand what this is and what causes it.

What Is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive systems of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene causes 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