Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease of the body's mucus glands.  It affects the respiratory and digestive systems.  A bad gene causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs.  On the average, people with Cystic Fibrosis live until the age of 30 years.

WHO DISCOVERED CYSTIC FIBROSIS?

Dr Dorothy Anderson, a pathologist of Columbia University in New York, identified Cystic Fibrosis in 1938.  She noted the symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis and the changes of the organs that were affected.  She named the disease, calling it "Cystic Fibrosis of the Pancreas" from cysts and scar tissue that grew in the pancreas.  The gene responsible for causing Cystic Fibrosis was discovered in 1989.

People with Cystic Fibrosis have a variety of symptoms.  They sweat, losing excessive amounts of salt that cause abnormal heart rhythms.

The mucus in Cystic Fibrosis patients is very thick in the intestines and lungs.  This causes poor growth, respiratory infections, breathing difficulties and eventually permanent lung damage.  Lung disease is the usual cause of death in most patients.

The most common test for Cystic Fibrosis is called the sweat test.  It measures the amount of salt (sodium chloride) in the sweat.  Sweat is usually taken from the forearm in a simple procedure and analysed.  A high level indicates Cystic Fibrosis.

A chemical test for a mutated gene can be used for people who have normal sweat chloride levels.

Some other tests that can assist in the diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis are chest e-rays. lung function tests, sputum (phlegm) cultures and stool examinations.

Patients need daily chest therapy.  Chest infections need to be treted quickly with antibiotics.  They should also be vaccinated against flu and pneumococcus to help prevent chest infections.

Patients need to take capsules with each meal or snack.  This supplies the missing pancreatic enzymes and helps with digestion.

These are other treatments, according to each person's condition :

• daily inhaled anti-asthma therapy
• corticosteroid tablets
• vitamin supplements
• inhalation of Pulmozyme to make the sputum less sticky
• oxygen to help with breathing

There is no current cure for Cystic Fibrosis.  There is a lot of research going on by scientists to try and find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis lung disease through gene therapy.

Dr. Jonathan Orens at a medical conference in Orlando, in May this year, said that lung transplantation can improve survival and quality of life for many Cystic Fibrosis patients.