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Cystic Fibrosis Research Paper

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Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder primarily affecting the pulmonary and digestive systems. It is also the most common fatal recessive genetic disorder among individuals of Caucasian descent. According to Garguilo, this disorder affects cells that produce mucus, digestive, and sweat juices. These mutated cells cause the fluids that are normally thin and slippery to become unusually thick and sticky, increasing the chance of blocking blood transport passageways, particularly in the digestive and respiratory systems that can then lead to recurrent infections. People with this condition have an abnormally high level of salt in their sweat and one of the factors leading to early diagnosis is the fact that parents can taste the salt on the skin …show more content…

This genetic disease is found to affect over 30,000 people with additions of nearly 1,000 people diagnosed every year. The prevalence of individuals with cystic fibrosis in the U.S. has decreased and major medical developments have helped to increase the life expectancy of those with the disease now as compared to 10 years ago (MacKenzie 237). The average age of diagnosis is around 6-8 months, whereas roughly two thirds of patients are diagnosed within their first year of birth. Unlike some genetic conditions, cystic fibrosis is not sex linked and as a result, occurs equally as often in men as in women. The severity and variation of symptoms differs from one individual to the next. However, research has found that females with cystic fibrosis have a “shortened life expectancy relative to men” because they “become colonized with certain common CF pathogens earlier than men and show a decreased life expectancy” due to the early onset of respiratory infections (Harness-Brumley 1013). In addition, research suggests that there is a high rate of bone related diseases in co-occurrence with cystic fibrosis. It is found that “individuals with cystic fibrosis fail to demonstrate normal bone calcium accretion” due to insufficient intake and absorption of nutrients (Boyle 455). The multiple factors contributing to bone disease include malnutrition, vitamin and mineral malabsorption, recurrent infections, and lack of exercise” can lead to osteoporosis if left untreated (Boyle

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