Living and Coping with Cystic Fibrosis in the South Asian Community

Many patients become such medical experts at managing their condition and they sometimes teach their medical team about the latest information. Some of them also have clear opinions about what they need from a medical treatment and care. Care providers acknowledge patients’ experiential knowledge and promote self-management from their patients; to recognise any health issues and be proactive to seek help from their CF team (Hewer and Tyrrell 2008, Visse et al. 2012).

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease that causes thickened mucus to form in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. It affects a specific protein called Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator (CFTR) that controls the normal movement of sodium, chloride, and water in and out of the cells within the body. Those diagnosed with CF have either too little or abnormal CFTR. When CFTR is absent or defective, the mucus usually secreted by the cells in the pulmonary airways, pancreatic ducts, and gastrointestinal tract become thickened, leading to obstructions, frequent infection, and loss of function in the affected organs (Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors, 2018). According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Cystic fibrosis is an existence restricting autosomal recessive disorder that influences 70,000 people around the world. The condition is known to affect principally those of European descent, though cystic fibrosis has been accounted for in all races and ethnicities. [12] Unusually viscous emissions in the airway of the lungs and in ducts of the pancreas in people with cystic fibrosis cause hindrances that prompt aggravation, tissue harm and destruction of both organ systems. Studies show that Cystic Fibrosis is more prominent in White Americans than African Americans, and Hispanics. A large number of Americans are carriers of this mutated Cystic Fibrosis gene, however if an individual is affected they must acquire two of these genes keeping

Air the vital ingredient of life. Without air there will be no oxygen. Now imagine having lungs that will not fill correctly. People with cystic fibrosis (CF) live with this everyday of their life.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lethal autosomal recessive disorder with a clinical incidence of 1 in every 3500 newborns1. Currently, over 4000 Canadians have CF, with 60% being adults2. In the past, CF was considered a fatal disease with a life expectancy of less than two years, however, advances in enzymatic and antibiotic therapy have greatly improved the life expectancy of patients afflicted with CF3. Currently, the median age of Canadian CF patients is 50 years2.

Cystic Fibrosis is a disorder where the exocrine glands secrete abnormally thick mucus, leading to obstruction of the pancreas and chronic infections of the lungs, which usually cause death in childhood or early adulthood. Some mildly affected patients may survive longer. Doctors can diagnose the disease by testing the patients perspiration because people with Cystic Fibrosis have high amounts of salt in their perspiration. Those with respiratory infections are treated with antibiotics, with aerosols that relieve constriction of the airways and liquefy the thick mucus, and by physical therapy to help patients cough up the obstructing secretions. Patients with pancreatic insufficiency can take pancreatic enzymes with meals.

Cystic Fibrosis, also known as CF, is one of the most common life-threatening genetic disorders found in people. Discovered in 1938 by Dr. Dorothy Hansine Andersen, Cystic Fibrosis severely affects two parts of the human body, including the respiratory system and the digestive system. Cystic Fibrosis causes the mucus glands to secrete very thick and sticky mucus. This mucus then clogs the tiny air passages and traps bacteria in the lungs. The thick mucus also stops the release of digestive enzymes in the pancreas from reaching the small intestine. According to Cystic Fibrosis Queensland (2015) more than one million Australians carry the Cystic Fibrosis Gene, with one in every 25 people, often not realising they are carrying the deadly gene.

Cystic Fibrosis is one of the most common and fatal genetic diseases in the United States. Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that causes the body to produce a thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs. This can lead to infection and blocks in the pancreas, which stops digestive enzymes from reaching the intestine where they are required in order to digest(“Learning About Cystic Fibrosis,” 2013). Cystic Fibrosis can go undiagnosed for a long period of time. For example, Mackenzie Dondanville 11 years old, four years ago, who had been coughing a lot for the previous year and a half. Due to her being physically athletic while competing in soccer, her pediatrician thought her cough and shortness of breath was due to exercise-induced asthma. It wasn't until Mackenzie's prescribed inhaler isn't working, that they realized something more was going on (“Mackenzies Story,”2018).

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a common genetic disorder that affects the exocrine gland in the lungs, liver, pancreas, and intestines causing progressive disability due to multisystem failure. It is also known as “mucoviscidosis because of the mucus that builds up and blocks the respiratory system and pancreas”(Bedwell). Cystic Fibrosis affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive juices. It causes these fluids to become thick and sticky. With them becoming so thick and sticky they can plug up tubes, duct, and passageways. Unfortunately, there is no real cure for Cystic Fibrosis. “Although, the new developments in treatment and management, the 50 percent survival rate from the 1970’s has greatly improved, allowing patients to continue to live their lives longer than ever expected in the past. New developments in prevention of exacerbations, therapy drugs and methods to preserve

Minimizing contact with germs is a top concern for people with CF. The buildup of mucus in the pancreas can also stop the absorption of food and key nutrients, resulting in malnutrition and poor growth. In the liver, the thick mucus can block the bile duct, causing liver disease. In men, CF can affect their ability to have children. Most people diagnosed with cystic fibrosis today are babies, thanks tonewborn screening programs. More than 75% of children with cystic fibrosis get a diagnosis by age 2. In some cases, people don’t find out they have cystic fibrosis until they’re teens or adults. Parents can also test their babies for cystic fibrosis before they’re born. Cystic fibrosis is a serious disease that can be life-threatening. But it’s different for everyone. Symptoms are mild for some people and severe for others. The good news is that most people with cystic fibrosis now live twice as long as they did 30 years ago. Today, some people are living into their 40s, 50s, or longer. Cystic fibrosis has no

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a disorder causing the body to release extremely thick and sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and pancreas, leading to problems with breathing and digestion, infection, and ultimately death. Abnormal secretion of sweat and saliva glands is also characteristic of CF. This disease a hereditary disorder of the exocrine glands that is characterized by respiratory and digestive problems and the most common inherited disease among Caucasians, affecting 3,600 live births in the Canada alone. CF affects men and women equally, but affects white people more than black people. This disease mainly affects children and young adults and is diagnosed by the age of three. Due to the advances in genetic research, diagnosis has been

Our genetics and DNA design the entire make up of the human body. From our physical appearance to our health and mental capabilities. Parents have dominant and recessive traits that decide the genetic makeup of their offspring. More times than often the match up of the patient’s genes can pass down a genetic disorder to the offspring. One common example of an autosomal recessive disorder is cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition in which the lungs and digestive system become clogged with thick sticky mucus. When learning about this disorder, it is important to understand the etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations. Knowing this information will allow for an enhanced perceptive on the people who live with

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) also knows as (mucoviscidosis) is a single-gene disorders. This disorder is best described as an autosomal recessive of the exocrine glands. The disorder itself can be categorized as either pus- forming or hindering airflow. The responsible gene for this pulmonary disorder has been discovered to the be on the long part of the arm of chromosome 7 (Copstead & Banasik, 2013). Major signs and symptoms of CF will be associated with the gastrointestinal and respiratory system. We are able to diagnose CF though laboratory testing such as arterial blood measurements. Treatments for CF tend to be comprehensive including specialty physicians, nutritionists, physical and respiratory therapists and genetic counselors. Medicare

Cystic Fibrosis, or CF, is a genetic disease that affects children to young adults. It occurs when a child has two defective copies of the gene that causes cystic fibrosis, one from each parent. The disease primarily affects the digestive system and it also affects the respiratory system, mainly the lungs bronchi and bronchioles. Cystic fibrosis affects the cells that produce mucus and digestive juices, as it changes the protein that regulates the movement of salt in and out of cells. Which leads to people thick and sticky mucus and digestive juices, such as pancreatic juices. Whereas people who do not have CF have thin and slippery mucus and digestive juices. The severity of the disease differs from one person to the next, yet the

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that ultimately leads to death. It affects every racial group worldwide, but its prevalence varies from country to country. In those with cystic fibrosis, the lungs and digestive system are primarily affected by the disease. With the new developments in treatment and management, the 50 percent survival rate from the 1970’s has greatly improved, allowing patients to continue to live their lives longer than ever expected in the past. The new developments in prevention of exacerbations, therapy drugs and methods to preserve lung function have done great things to help patients extend their lives. Education is another important aspect of treating cystic fibrosis. For example, more the