Cystic Fibrosis

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away. According to the American Lung association, the average adult takes 15 to 20 breaths a minute resulting in over 20,000 breaths a day. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited and obstructive lung disease caused by the overall obstruction of the airways with mucus that form in the lungs, pancreas and sweat glands. CF therefore affects the ability to breath and ultimately kills it victims at a young age. Most individuals who have Cystic Fibrosis become progressively worse, and many die in their 20s and 30s.Obviously Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening disorder and has different symptoms, complications and diagnostic studies. According to the cystic fibrosis foundation, approximately 30,000 people in the United States have the disease. An additional 10 million people, about one in 30, carry the cystic fibrosis gene. Cystic Fibrosis has been identified in every area of the world; Caucasians are at the highest risk of cystic fibrosis and Asians are least likely to be afflicted (Cystic Fibrosis. KidsHealth.org [website] URL: kidshealth.or)

Cystic Fibrosis is found in chromosome 7 and produces a protein called Cystic Fibrosis transmembrane regulator. This protein regulates sodium and chloride channels. Mutations in the CF transmembrane gene alter this protein in such a way that the channels are blocked. When the thick and sticky mucus produced by a person with Cystic Fibrosis blocks the airways in the lungs, breathing becomes difficult and bacteria grows in the mucus, leading to critical lung infections that can damage the lungs. Pulmonary inflammation may precede the chronic infection and cause respiratory decline. “Cells that line the...

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...e threatening disease that not only affect the person who has it, but also affects everyone around them. The burden of living with a chronic disease at a young age can be emotionally and physically overwhelming. However, with the willingness of the patient to take care of his/her health throughout this disease it can be managed. Patients with CF should receive routine primary care with special attention to diet, growth and development, and immunization. It is very important for patients and family members to be as informed and educated as possible about the disease and the treatments that this requires in order to identify any side effects of certain medications or activities that might harm the patient’s health.

Works Cited

(Cystic Fibrosis. KidsHealth.org [website] URL: kidshealth.or)

(Medical Surgical Nursing 656).

(Essentials of Pediatric Nursing 795)