Cystic Fibrosis CF

I'm writing this blog because I once knew a man named Danny who had CF plus I know someone who has children with this condition and my local charity shop called "Second Thoughts" in Swinford, Co Mayo raising awareness and money for the charity.

Cystic Fibrosis also referred to as CF is a hereditary disorder that affects the exocrine glands.
It affects the lungs and digestive system.
A defective gene along with the protein product cause the body to produce a thick and sticky mucus.
As a result it clogs up the lungs causing lung infections, leading to life a threatening situations.
The mucus obstructs the pancreas which then stops natural enzymes that help the body to break down food and absorb it.
A normal airway has an airway wall that is lined with a thin layer of mucus where as a CF sufferer has a widened airway, bacterial infections, blood in the mucus and thick sticky mucus that blocks the airway.

Those with CF can vary from one person to the next.
One sufferer may have very bad CF and another sufferer may have mild CF.

Some live until their teen age years and other to 50 and beyond.

The organs affected by CF
Sinuses - sinusitis infection.
Lungs - thick and sticky mucus, bacterial infections, widened airway.
Skin - salty sweat.
Liver - blocked biliary ducts.
Pancreas - blocked pancreatic ducts.
Intestines - can not fully absorb nutrients.
Reproductive Organs - complications.

Diagnosis Tests
Immunoreactive Trypsinogen (IRT) is a test performed on new born babies that checks for abnormal levels of IRT Protein in the blood.
Sweat Chloride Test is a test that checks for increased levels of salt in the sweat.
Sputum Test is when a sample of mucus is taken to find out if there is a presence of a lung infection.
Chest Xray is to check swelling in the lungs due to blockages.
CT Scan creates details images by using a combination of xrays.
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) determines if the lungs are working properly.

Treatments Available.
Antibiotics.
Mucus Thinning Medications.
Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS).
Bronchodilators.
Bowl Surgery.
Lung Transplant

Chest Physical Therapy - a chest clapper and an inflatable vest.

Approximately 70,000+ children and adults are diagnosed with CF worldwide.

If you wish to make a donation to this worthy cause please visit www.cfireland.ie and click on the DONATE button.

If you live in or the surrounding areas of Swinford, Co Mayo please visit "Second Thoughts" Charity Shop where you can make a donation of goods and/or make a purchase.