Around 1 person out of every 3,500 is born with cystic fibrosis. Thanks to new medical procedures, most CF patients receive a diagnosis before 2. Unfortunately, people born before 2010 may not know they carry CF until later in life.
Cystic fibrosis creates a protein malfunction that thickens the body's mucus. The mucus breeds infections and blocks organs from functioning at full potential. A patient with CF often won't be able to absorb nutrients from food.
Can you die from cystic fibrosis disease? In the 1950s, a CF diagnosis came with no medical care options. This guide walks you through how modern medicine helps CF patients live full lives.
How Do You Get Cystic Fibrosis?
The protein malfunction in cystic fibrosis comes from a genetic mutation. The mutation prevents the gene from moving chloride to a cell's surface. Your cells need the chloride to attract water and keep the mucus thin.
CF patients inherited the malfunctioning gene from their parents. To pass on cystic fibrosis, both parents must carry the gene.
Non-symptomatic carriers of the CF gene can still pass it onto their children. Genetic testing will tell you if you carry the CF gene.
How Can You Die From Cystic Fibrosis Disease?
The thick mucus from cystic fibrosis puts a strain on your organs, especially the lungs. It gathers in the bronchial tubes needed to transport air.
CF patients deal with lung problems like:
- Wheezing
- A constant cough that produces mucus
- Respiratory infections
- Sinus inflammation
- Inability to exercise
- Excess snot
Lung infections are the biggest concern for CF patients. There's always the chance the bacterial infection is antibiotic-resistant.
The mucus affects your pancreas, limiting the digestive enzymes in your intestines. There is a direct link between the enzymes and the patient's ability to gain weight.
Poor digestion can also lead to intestinal blockage and damage to the rectum. Both conditions leave the CF patient exposed to possible infection. If a CF patient's lower stomach is hard and painful, seek medical attention.
Current Treatment Options For Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Living with cystic fibrosis means constant work to control the mucus. The patient and their care team make a customized routine. Once the routine works, it's important to stick to it every day.
Possible options for cystic fibrosis treatment:
- Medications to treat common CF gene mutations
- Anti-inflammatory medications for swollen bronchial tubes
- Medications to thin the mucus
- Medications to relax the airways
- Enzymes to help digest nutrients from food
- Physical therapy to loosen chest congestion
- Coughing and breathing methods to loosen mucus
- A CF nutrition plan
The CF patient may need more intensive treatment options. They could end up with a feeding tube, sinus surgery, or a lung transplant.
A Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosis Isn't the End of Living a Good Life
Can you die from cystic fibrosis? The prognosis for CF patients nowadays is about 40-50 years. How long the CF patient lives after diagnosis depends on the care they receive.
Early intervention for CF patients is the key to a long life. Children with CF who go untreated don't develop at the same speed as their peers. They need support from doctors to grow and protect their health.
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