Thursday, January 8, 2015

What is CF?

.


Quick Facts about Cystic Fibrosis:



Pronunciation:

  • How the doctor will say it: [( sis -tik feye- broh -sis)] 1
  • How kids will say it:  (six-ty  five roses)
  • What the cool kids call it:  C. F. 

What causes it?
  • CF is a genetic disease
  • The brain of the cells, a.k.a. DNA, makes a mistake
  • That mistake causes the body to make a SUPER STICKY, SUPER THICK MUCUS

What is wrong with a little STICKY, THICK MUCUS?
  • This MUCUS gets stuck in the LUNGS making it difficult to breathe & increases risk of infection
  • This MUCUS can block the PANCREAS making it difficult to digest and take in nutrients from food

When will I know if it is CF?
  • Newborn Screenings can test for CF 
  •  3/4 of those with CF diagnosed before age 2


How many people have CF now?
  • 30,000 in the US
  • 70,000 in the WORLD
  • estimated 10,000,000 people worldwide have one defective gene they can pass to children

Is there a cure?
  • currently no cure, BUT researchers have found some AMAZING ways to fight it
  • Check out the PROGRESS helping those with CF live longer lives!
Image obtained from <http://www.bennettsbrigade.com/life-expectancy>


If the trend continues, how long might someone with CF expect to live now? 

What about 10 years from now in 2025?  in 2050?     






Citations:

1.  cystic fibrosis. (n.d.). The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Retrieved January 08, 2015, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cystic fibrosis


2. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Home. (n.d.). Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://www.cff.org







No comments:

Post a Comment