Cystic Fibrosis and the Resulting Damage to the Lungs and Digestive System
Cystic Fibrosis is a life threatening condition that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. Developing this condition can change a person's entire life. Depending on the severity of the condition a person can be affected by mild symptoms such as shortness of breath, all the way to severe symptoms such as rectal prolapse, or even death. Screening is done on infants in all 50 states; therefore if a child has inherited Cystic Fibrosis it will be known in the first months of life. As professional staff members of a nursing community it will be necessary to help prepare the child and the family for the life of Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited condition. However, the gene for Cystic Fibrosis is recessive and one strand must be inherited from each parent. Therefore, not all children of people with this condition develop it. But of course they are at increased risks of developing the condition. Both parents must either have Cystic Fibrosis, or be a carrier. Since it is a recessive gene, if a child has parents with Cystic Fibrosis and does not develop the condition, he or she will still have the recessive gene and become a carrier. Therefore, their children will now be at risk (Moe, 1992, p. 70).
Cystic Fibrosis affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices which are usually thin and slippery. In patients who have this condition inherited the gene that causes these fluids to become very thick and sticky. This can cause potentially fatal clogging in tubes and passages in the lungs instead of acting as a lubricant as they are intended to. This mutated gene impairs the cells ability to regulate the passage of salt through the membrane. This is what causes the mucus to be thick and sticky and also causes very salty sweat. (Diseases, 1997, p. 94). Parents can often taste the salt on their children's skin when they kiss them.
“The life expectancy of a person with CF is rising. Today some people with CF live into their 30s,
Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited condition. However, the gene for Cystic Fibrosis is recessive and one strand must be inherited from each parent. Therefore, not all children of people with this condition develop it. But of course they are at increased risks of developing the condition. Both parents must either have Cystic Fibrosis, or be a carrier. Since it is a recessive gene, if a child has parents with Cystic Fibrosis and does not develop the condition, he or she will still have the recessive gene and become a carrier. Therefore, their children will now be at risk (Moe, 1992, p. 70).
Cystic Fibrosis affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices which are usually thin and slippery. In patients who have this condition inherited the gene that causes these fluids to become very thick and sticky. This can cause potentially fatal clogging in tubes and passages in the lungs instead of acting as a lubricant as they are intended to. This mutated gene impairs the cells ability to regulate the passage of salt through the membrane. This is what causes the mucus to be thick and sticky and also causes very salty sweat. (Diseases, 1997, p. 94). Parents can often taste the salt on their children's skin when they kiss them.
“The life expectancy of a person with CF is rising. Today some people with CF live into their 30s,