Are You A Carrier Of The Cystic Fibrosis Gene?
Do you know if you are a carrier for the cystic fibrosis gene? If you are parents and want to start a family or are planning on having another child and are concerned because there is cystic fibrosis in your family history, consider genetic testing. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease a child could get if both parents carry the recessive gene that contains cystic fibrosis. You could be a carrier without showing signs of the disease and pass it on to your child. If your spouse is not a carrier, there is still a 25 percent chance your child will also be a carrier. You have a higher risk of being a carrier of cystic fibrosis if you are a Caucasian and descendent from a family in Northern Europe. Although other ethnic groups can be affected by cystic fibrosis, they have much less risk than a Caucasian.
The difference in ethnic groups who are carriers of this mutant gene are shown by these statistics:
Caucasians have a 1 in 29 chance of carrying the cystic fibrosis gene
People of Latino background have a 1 in 46 chance of carrying the gene
African-Americans have a 1 in 65 chance for having the mutant gene
Asian-Americans have the least risk of being a carrier; the rate for this ethnic group is 1 in 90.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation estimated about 30,000 adults and children in the United States have cystic fibrosis. This disease severely affects several organs in the body but especially the respiratory and digestive systems. The abnormal gene makes normally thin, watery mucus turn into thick, heavy, and sticky mucus that adheres to the walls of the important passageways to these organs.
The mucus collects in the lungs and passageways and prevents bacteria from being coughed up and expelled from the body. This promotes serious infections that become acute and can cause significant damage to the lungs. These severe infections can potentially be life threatening.
If your doctor determines you and your partner are both carriers of the mutant gene, the unborn child can be tested in utero. The infant cannot be treated for the disease until after the birth but it does give parents a chance to educate themselves about the disease and explore different was of treating CF. Although you can discover if your baby has this inherited disease, it will not tell you the severity of the symptoms or which organ of the body will be the most seriously affected.
There is renewed hope for those who suffer from cystic fibrosis. New methods of treatment, new medications, and new physiotherapy methods are giving the cystic fibrosis patient have a longer life. It can also help improve the quality of life. A person can do much toward staying healthy by eating a healthy diet, staying away from secondhand smoke, and exercising regularly. Self-care is important for a person with cystic fibrosis. A small child or infant may need help to treat their disease.
Cystic Fibrosis
Introduction To Cystic Fibrosis
Drug Treatments Often Prescribed For Cystic Fibrosis
Treating Cystic Fibrosis With Drugs
Chest Physiotherapy—What Is It And How Does It Work?
Helping Teens With Cystic Fibrosis
What's In The Future For Cystic Fibrosis Patients?
Diet—An Important Tool In Treating Cystic Fibrosis!
Cystic Fibrosis
The Affect Of Cystic Fibrosis On Children
... insufficiency. A child diagnosed with cystic fibrosis will often have repeated lung infections because they have heavy, discolored mucus. A child with CF may also have problems with nasal congestion, chronic sinus problems, wheezing, and other symptoms that resemble asthma. As the disease progresses, ...
Introduction To Cystic Fibrosis
... not show any symptoms of the disease. Cystic fibrosis affects many parts of the body including the respiratory organs, reproductive organs, and the digestive system. The normal mucus that lines the passageways of bronchial tubes, lungs, and digestive organs is not think and watery. Instead, it is thick ...
Preventing Infections In Cystic Fibrosis Patients
... drug can cause sore throat and increased irritation in the airways. Medications including albuterol may help keep the air passages and bronchial tubes clearer. Cystic fibrosis patients must have a way to clear the mucus from their lungs and air passages. There are several methods used to clear mucus. ...
Eating For Health--Foods To Enjoy And Foods To Avoid
... often block the small ducts that take enzymes from the pancreas to digest the foods in the stomach. When food is not digested properly, the body fails to receive the essential nutrients to grow, keep their weight, and stay healthy. A person with cystic fibrosis should be able to eat normally but there ...
The Risk For Being A Carrier For Cystic Fibrosis
... States. Cystic fibrosis affects major organs of the body including the lungs, the digestive tract, reproduction organs, and the liver. Thick, sticky mucus accumulates in the respiratory and digestive organs. This mucus becomes hard and difficult to remove because it is thick and sticky. This restricts ...