Cystic Fibrosis Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 1365 words ( 5 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 3

Page 1 of 5

Cystic Fibrosis Impact on Lungs

Introduction

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic and possible genetically inherited disease that affects lungs. It is characterized by buildup of thick and stick mucus that is had to cough out of the lungs. With the accumulation of the thick and sticky mucus, it can result to difficulty in breathing and can lead to other complications including lung infections, liver disease, and diabetes[endnoteRef:1]. CF has also been shown to cause digestive problems and ultimately malnutrition through interference with pancreatic functioning and preventing enzymes which are involved in the breaking down of food. In male, the thick mucus has also been attributed to infertility by blocking the vas deferens. This paper is a detailed presentation on CF and covers diagnosis, treatment, the point at which lung transplant is needed, and how medicine has changed over the years to adapt to children. [1: Cystic fibrosis. U.S. National Library of Medicine, U.S. gov. https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/cystic-fibrosis. Published January 21, 2020. Accessed January 24, 2020]

Diagnosis

Because CF is a genetic disorder, diagnosis can and should be done early, possibly at birth. Early diagnosis allows for early treatment and thus increases the chances for a better and healthier living later in life. The three tests that are common for diagnosis of CF are;

i. Blood test – this test involves checking of the immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) in blood. This test is relevant because persons with CF has abnormally high levels of IRT in their blood.

ii. DNA test – because CF is a genetic disorder, it means there is a gene anomaly, which can be detected through DNA testing. A DNA test therefore looks for the abnormal gene in the CFTR gene.

iii. Sweat test – this test determines the level of salt(chloride) in sweat and a higher than normal measure is an indication of the possibility of CF.

In addition to the above three, CF can also be diagnosed in an unborn child through prenatal diagnosis test. This test uses mutated CFTR genes, by testing a sample of amniotic fluid or tissue from the placenta. However, incase these tests indicate a positive test for CF, additional test has to be done once the baby is born.

Treatment

CF is a genetic disorder, therefore, there is not any known cure yet, however, there are medicines and other therapeutic procedures that are used to manage the symptoms.

Stuck Writing Your "Cystic Fibrosis" Essay?

View All Our Example Cystic Fibrosis Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



Medicines

The main health problem associated with CF is the thick and sticky mucus and thus, the first line of action for doctors is to provide medicine that open airways by thinning this mucus[endnoteRef:2]. Subsequent, they provide medicine to prevent any possible infections and to help the…

[…… parts of this paper are missing, click here to view the entire document ]

…timely manner. A timely evaluation of the mucus helps to prevent the other health complications attributed to the condition.

In addition, a new treatment for CF that is still under research and experimentation involves an inhaled spray which contains copies of normal CF gene. These normal copies are delivered to the lungs for CF patients. About 100 CF patients have been shown positive response to this CF gene therapy treatment. Other novel treatment for kids include protein repair therapy – which repair defective CFTR, and a spice known as curcumin[endnoteRef:4]. [4: Livingston Jr. FR, Cystic Fibrosis. KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cf.html?WT.ac=ctg April, 2014. Accessed January 24, 2020. ]

Conclusion

CF is a genetic disease that affects lungs. Diagnosis can be done through blood test, DNA test, sweat test, and through prenatal diagnosis test using amniotic fluid or tissues of the placenta. There is not any known cure for CF yet, however, medicines used to manage the disorder include; antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, mucus thinner, bronchodilators, CFTR modulators, and therapy. Other techniques used are for clearing airway include chest therapy and oscillator gadgets. In case the lungs of a CF patient are damaged to function effectively, then a single or double lung transplant is recommended, however, the decision for lung transplant, a single, or a double lung transplant should be made by the doctor. Over the years, evolution is medicine has….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


Related Essays

Economic Disadvantages and Respiratory Issues

data and information on respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, pulmonary hypertension, cystic fibrosis and other pulmonary ailments which suggest a similar observation also noticed in other chronic ailments (Sahni, Talwar, Khanijo & Talwar, 2017). Asthma is a chronic inflammatory illness that presents permanent condition with varying severity levels all through the life of the affected persons. It affects individuals of all ages and presents its highest frequency in childhood. Latest data gathered from the general population reveal that kids up to the age of 5, the average frequency rate of asthma was 23 per 1,000 kids annually; this frequency rate dropped… Continue Reading...

Differences Between Inferential and Descriptive Statistics

healthcare access. Genomic research is expected to play a critical role in eliminating diseases like cystic fibrosis. However, some of the ethical issues associated with it include autonomy issues, privacy concerns, equity, and confidentiality concerns. For baby boomers the huge chronic needs of the elderly are expected to create new career opportunities through increasing demands for healthcare workers. Therefore, the probable HR needs in the next 10 years include more demand tech-savvy healthcare workers and those who can cater for the aging population. Inferential versus Descriptive Statistics Inferential and descriptive statistics are the two areas of statistics employed in analyzing data, particularly in studies conducted… Continue Reading...

Comparing the US and Canadian Healthcare Systems

rates of obesity, smoking and higher rates of exercise than Americans. However, Krell also examined a study of patients with cystic fibrosis. He notes "median survival in both countries increased…but survival in Canada increased a lot more," but he noted that Canadians fared only slightly better than Americans with Medicare or Medicaid, but 77% better than Americans with no insurance. The difference in outcomes one can extrapolate, is not from quality of care differences but from access to care differences. Other outcomes where the Canadian system performs better are in cost – at 10% of GDP compared with 16% in the US, infant mortality and life expectancy, but studies generally… Continue Reading...

sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Cystic Fibrosis" (2020, January 29) Retrieved June 5, 2026, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/cystic-fibrosis-2174835

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Cystic Fibrosis" 29 January 2020. Web.5 June. 2026. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/cystic-fibrosis-2174835>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Cystic Fibrosis", 29 January 2020, Accessed.5 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/cystic-fibrosis-2174835
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example