So today's topic is Cystic Fibrosis. What is it? Here's an article that was written for this blog:
Thanks Maggie at Healthline Networks for putting everything together!
PS: Below the article is how Cystic Fibrosis affected my family!
---------------------------------------------
Causes and Treatments of Cystic
Fibrosis
Even though approximately 30,000 people in
the U.S. have cystic fibrosis (CF), many people know little to nothing about
this serious genetic disease.
What Is CF?
CF is a life-threatening disease that
affects mostly the lungs and digestive system because of an inherited defective
gene. We all have cells that produce lubricants such as sweat, digestive
fluids, and mucus that’s usually thin and slippery. In someone with cystic
fibrosis, those secretions are extra thick and instead of lubricating as
they should, they clog up important passageways and ducts in the body, mainly
in the lungs and pancreas. This makes breathing difficult, increases the risk
of infection and inflammation in the lungs and can cause permanent damage and
even respiratory failure. As for the pancreas; CF interferes with the breakdown
of food and absorption of nutrients, leading to malnutrition and several other
issues that result from not getting the right nutrients.
How People Get CF
Since it’s a genetic disease, most people
inherit it from their parents in the same way that one inherits other
characteristics from their parents, like eye and hair color. To get CF, you
need to inherit two copies of this defective gene; one from each parent. If you
only inherit one copy of the gene then you don’t have CF but are a carrier and
can pass it off to your children. There are an astonishing 1,800 known
mutations of the CF gene, with some being more common than others.
Treating CF
Sadly, there’s not yet a cure for the
disease—only treatments to help with symptoms and to lower the risk of
complications. The best way to treat CF is to start monitoring and treating the
condition early and aggressively to try to prevent lung infections by removing
or loosening the muscus in the lungs and working to prevent or treat any
intestinal blockages. A big part of treatment is also getting the right
nutrition.
Some of the things used to treat CF include
medications like antibiotics, inhalers, and mucus-thinners. Supplements are
also used to improve nutrition. Exercise and special breathing techniques are
an important part of treatment to because they can improve lung function. Other
treatment options include:
Chest physical therapy using special
techniques and devices that help loosen mucus. In severe cases a feeding or
breathing tube might be needed and even surgery such as a lung transplant.
Lifestyle Changes
There are some things that a person with CF
can do at home to help keep their CF symptoms under control. Staying on top of
nutrition is a must since people with CF can need as many as 50 percent more
calories than the average person. Enzyme supplements, high-calorie foods
supplements, and extra fiber are just some ways to improve nutrition with CF.
Water and other fluids are also important, not only for hydration, but also
because it can thin the mucus in the lungs.
Exercise, though not always easy, goes a
long way in improving heart and lung function people with CF, even if just
walking.
Finally, avoiding smoke and washing hands
regularly to help minimize the risk of infection are also things that can be
done to help with CF.
You can click here to learn more about CF and other
health conditions.
Adrienne is a freelance writer and author
who has written extensively on all things health and fitness for more than a
decade. When she's not holed-up in her writing shed researching an article or
off interviewing health professionals, she can be found frolicking around her
beach town with husband and dogs in tow or splashing about the lake trying to
master the stand-up paddle board. You can connect with Adrienne on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/writeradrienne.
References
·
About Cystic Fibrosis.
(December 2013). Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Retrieved on April 10, 2014, from http://www.cff.org/AboutCF/
·
Mayo Clinic Staff. (June 2012).
Mayo Clinic. Retrieved on April 10, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cystic-fibrosis/basics/definition/con-20013731
---------------------------------------------
Cystic Fibrosis in my Family
I haven't talked about this in the past, but Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that runs in my father's family. We lost a cousin of mine to it, and he was only 16! And then of course, I have to talk about my Grandmother, as she had it too. Before you say 'That's not possible!' I'm gonna say, 'I don't how she lived that long with it, but she did.' She wasn't diagnosed until she was in her 30's, if I'm not mistaken, but according to relatives, she'd been sick her whole life. She seemed like she always had Pneumonia around Christmas and often spent the holiday in the hospital. The medical universities always wanted her for testing and studies, even though she knew the research may help someone someday, she hated that so much, it was more time she had to spend away from her family. She also would up with Colon Cancer and managed to kick its butt. A few years later, she developed some scar tissue from her Colon Cancer and after some complications and spending a lot of time in the hospital, she passed away at age 55. Just before she died, she made my father and my aunt promise that before us kids decided to have children of our own, we'd see a genetic counselor and get tested to see if we're carriers. I was only 4 1/2 when she passed away, so I don't remember her well, but she did teach me something: Fight no matter what.
My parents and I weren't there in the hospital with her when she passed, but the story goes that the doctors had been preparing to pass away for awhile. They'd been giving her periodical doses of morphine and slightly increasing the doses as time passed, and they were going to take her off the ventilator (machine to help people breathe). Well, when they did, she managed to live another 12 hours, which apparently doesn't happen often.
I wish I could remember more of her, but my family tells me I've inherited alot of her behaviors, she had a great sense of style, was a wonderful hostess at her parties, loved antiques and had more expensive tastes, she wanted the best quality!
 |
| My Grandmother, Grandfather and my Brother (mid 1980's) |
 |
| My Grandmother holding me (This was in 1992 I think) |
I hope that none of my readers have to face this in your families, but if you do, my heart goes out to you! <3
Until next time, pretty guys and gals!
