Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal hereditary disease. About 1 in 32 people are carriers of the gene. But what exactly is cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease in which the mucus produced in the body is too viscous. This mainly causes problems in the lungs, pancreas and testes. Children who have the disease suffer from respiratory infections and digestive problems at an early age because the secretions from the lungs and pancreas are too tough. The greasy diarrhea and retarded growth are typical. Reproductive problems can occur in young adulthood.

About 1 in 32 healthy adults have the gene for the disease. To get the disease as a child, both parents must have the gene and even then only 1 in 4 children have the disease. The treatment mainly consists of digestive enzymes and medications that liquefy the mucus. Life expectancy has increased with these medications, but is still very limited.

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 0000-00-00 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024