Cystic Fibrosis (SIS-tik fi-BRO-sis)

By: Eleftheria Ria Karoutis

What is Cystic Fibrosis?

•Cystic fibrosis is also known as CF•Inherit two faulty genes for the disease•Mainly affects lungs, pancreas, liver,

intestines, sinuses, and sex organs.

Causes of the disorder..

•CF cannot be "caught" like a cold or the flu•Caused by a mutation in a gene called the

cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)

•Can only get it if his/her parents both are carriers.

•Boys and girls are equally likely to have CF.•Researchers noticed higher levels of some

essential fatty acids in people with CF.

What are the symptoms?•CF causes the body to produce large amounts

of thick mucus•Affects the lungs, digestive and reproductive

systems•Mucus in the airways causes wheezing,

coughing, and trouble breathing•Large amounts of mucus blocking the

pancreas prevents enzymes from being released

•98% of men are infertile, women can bear children but can pass down CF

•Can develop diabetes, or suffer from liver and lung damage

How is it inherited?

•A double recessive allele is needed for cystic fibrosis to be apparent

•Found on chromosome 7•Chloride channel protein that is critical

for normal functioning of multiple organs

Is there a treatment?•Back in the 50s patients had a life

expectancy of only 5 years•Before antibiotics were available

approximately 75% of children with CF died before the age of ten

•Treatments will vary from person to person •Vibrations to help loosen the mucus •Mucus thinners, antibiotics, anti-

inflammatories, and bronchodilators •Enzyme supplements

Who does it affect?Like any other defect, Cystic Fibrosis affects the

patients, the patients family and society as a whole.

Impact on society..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KHb33WUQEU

Recent advances/direction of current research•The gene responsible for cystic fibrosis was

only discovered in 1989•Scientists have made steady progress in

understanding CF and developing strategies to defeat it

•Foundation’s provide the resources and support for studies that are leading to important new therapies and better treatment

•Discoveries are being turned into potential drugs that attack both the symptoms of CF and the cause (faulty gene)

Are there any research foundations/ support groups/ charities?

Bibliography•Children with Exceptionalities in Canadian

Classrooms- Margret Winzer (book)•http://

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147960.php

•http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_condition_info_details.asp?channel_id=2048&relation_id=110053&disease_id=41&page_no=2

•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cystic_fibrosis•http://

answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071013230224AA8JwPI

•http://www.cfedmonton.ca/help.html