A type of genetic disease mainly affecting the lungs and digestive system is cystic fibrosis (CF). There can also be fatal complications such as liver disease and diabetes due to this condition. The mucus becomes thicker and stickier due to the defective gene responsible. People face difficulty in coughing out the mucus from the lungs. This can cause severe lung infections and difficulty in breathing. The thickening of the mucus can also create problems in pancreatic function by preventing enzymes from properly breaking down food. This results in digestive problems, which ultimately leads to malnutrition. If the thickened mucus blocks the vas deferens, the tube carrying the sperm from the testes to the urethra, it can cause infertility. Life-threatening conditions can arise due to cystic fibrosis. We get to know from a chest specialist in Kolkata that respiratory failure is the most common cause of death in people with cystic fibrosis.
Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis
The following are some common symptoms:
- Persistent coughing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Poor weight
- Bulky and greasy stools
- Nasal polyps
You should immediately consult a lungs specialist doctor in Kolkata when you have these symptoms.
The risk of lung infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis increase due to the obstruction of the lungs. Malnutrition and poor growth are the results of obstruction in the pancreas. Diabetes and osteoporosis can also happen due to this.
Causes of Cystic Fibrosis
There is a change in a protein due to a defect (mutation) in a gene. This protein regulates the movement of salt in and out of cells. As a result of these changes, there is sticky, thick mucus in the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems. The amount of salt in the sweat also increases.
The defect in the gene can be of different types. The severity of the condition has a connection with the type of gene mutation.
Children have the risk of developing it if they inherit one copy of the gene from each parent. They won’t develop the disease if they inherit only one copy. They can, however, pass the gene to their children.
Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis
The best chest specialist doctor in Kolkata normally conducts a physical exam, review the symptoms and recommends different tests for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.
Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis
The treatment aims to reduce complications, ease symptoms and improve the quality of life. For slowing the progression, the doctor recommends close monitoring and early, aggressive intervention.
The following are the goals of treatment:
- Loosening and removing mucus from the lungs
- Controlling and preventing infections that occur in the lungs
- Preventing and treating intestinal blockage
- Providing adequate nutrition
Medications, therapy and surgery are the different treatment options for cystic fibrosis.
