Cystic fibrosis is caused by a defected gene. This defected gene is inherited
from parents who are carriers. Those who are carriers of the gene that causes
CF do not have the disease. In the majority of cases, parents are unaware that
they carry the gene. In order for a baby to be born with CF, both parents must
be a carrier of the gene. In cases where only one parent is a carrier, the
child will not have CF. Additionally, both parents being a carrier of CF does
not guarantee that their baby will have the disease – but it greatly increases
the odds. Thus, it is possible for two people who carry the gene to have
several healthy babies, and only one baby with CF. Cystic fibrosis largely
affects Caucasians in the United States.
However, the disease is also common in Europe. It is
estimated that less than 10% of the Caucasian population have the defected CF
gene, nonetheless, 1 in 3,600 are affected with cystic fibrosis. Although CF is
more common for individuals of this particular race, CF also affects 1 in
17,000 African Americans and 1 in 90,000 Asians.
Long-Term Effects of Cystic Fibrosis
Because CF affects the sweat glands, children diagnosed with this condition
may have skin that taste salty. Parents and others who kiss these children will
likely detect the salty taste. Additionally, CF children also lose a
considerable amount of their body's salt when they sweat. Cystic fibrosis also
affects the pancreas, thus children experience difficulty digesting foods
properly. The thick mucus that the body produces results in many infections,
congestion, and sinus problems. Asthma-like symptoms such as wheezing and
coughing are common. When the lungs and body fills with thick mucus, CF
sufferers may cough fitfully for several minutes in order to remove mucus and
restore normal breathing. The mucus, accompanied with continual infections hinders
breathing, causing sufferers to feel winded, or struggle to take in air.