About Cystic Fibrosis

An Overview

There are approximately over 8,000 children and adults in the United Kingdom with Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is the most commonly inherited disease, is life-limiting and as yet has no cure; the average life expectancy is approximately 31 years of age, although improvements in treatments mean a baby born today with CF could expect to live for longer.

Cystic Fibrosis mainly affects the lungs and digestive systems; thick, sticky secretions in the lungs cause repeated chest infections, which lead to irreparable lung damage. Treatment for the lungs includes chest physiotherapy performed several times daily, oral or nebulised antibiotics and prophylaxis, and oral or intravenous antibiotics administered for a number of weeks following exacerbation of the disease. Similarly, secretions in the digestive tract lead to malabsorption and malnutrition. Treatment for the digestive system includes attention to diet, vitamin supplements and pancreatic enzyme supplements.

Cystic Fibrosis patients can also develop insulin-dependent diabetes, liver disease, arthropathy, osteoporosis, infertility, vasculitis and an increased risk of cancer of the digestive tract.