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  • Essay / An Overview of Cystic Fibrosis

    Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive genetic disease that affects the lungs and liver. Cystic fibrosis develops when there is a mutation in the gene, as it is autosomal recessive, meaning you would have inherited two copies of the CFTR gene, one from each parent. The symptoms of cystic fibrosis are that the patient becomes prone to lung infections and a persistent cough. This happens because the eyelashes can shed mucus because they are thick and sticky. Additionally, digestion problems arise because the patient is underweight. This tray square shows two parents carrying the cystic fibrosis allele. If these parents decide to have children, there is a ¼ chance that the baby will inherit cystic fibrosis, ½ chance that a baby will not have cystic fibrosis, and ½ chance that the baby will be a carrier. And there is a ¼ chance that the baby is not a carrier or affected by the cystic fibrosis allele. People with cystic fibrosis suffer from lung problems because they have sticky mucus, which causes mucus to build up in the lungs. This means that pathogens such as bacteria can become trapped in the lungs, eventually leading to infection. Additionally, the cilia don't function properly, meaning the mucus can't be moved, leading to inflammation. This causes symptoms such as a persistent cough. Similarly, people with cystic fibrosis experience “pancreatic insufficiency.” This is because mucus gets blocked in the digestive tracts, causing scarring and inflammation of the pancreas. This is because enzymes build up in the pancreas instead of traveling to the digestive system. Additionally, scarring in the pancreas affects the normal functioning of the pancreas, leading to a sluggish pancreas because it limits the production of insulin, which is essential for regulating the amount of sugar in the blood. This causes cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD), which affects more than 30% of adults living with cystic fibrosis. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Additionally, CF affects the secretion and function of bile, which is produced in the liver. CF causes the liver to produce sticky bile, which causes irritation and inflammation of the liver's bile ducts. Sometimes inflammation of the bile ducts creates permanent damage to duct scarring and normal liver function. This means that an inactive liver will reduce bile production, causing a chemical imbalance and leading to digestive problems in the affected person, including abdominal bloating. People with CF have thinner, more fragile bones that are more likely to fracture at an earlier age. This is because bone contains low levels of collagen and minerals which are essential for bone strength and allow the body to form a rigid structure. This causes extreme joint pain in the bones. Cystic fibrosis also affects puberty and fertility in women. Women with cystic fibrosis are likely to have very irregular periods, if at all, which means they will not ovulate every month like a healthy woman. This can cause many mental health problems.Case StudyRebekah is 19 years old and was born with cystic fibrosis, due to faulty alleles from her parents who were both carriers. However, both of his parents did not know they had CF, as they are both orphans. Rebekah was rushed to the hospital on her first birthday. His parents had him.