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Cystic Fibrosis Information
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Latest Health News
Many people have heard of
Cystic Fibrosis, but few know what it is all about. Gia is typical
of many individuals with CF. She appears to be a happy and healthy
toddler. But beyond this she has a genetic disease that may take her
life prematurely.
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the digestive system, lungs,
and sweat glands. CFer's have abnormally high amounts of salt in their
secretions that causes these abnormalities. Years ago, children with CF
would struggle to survive because of their inability to properly digest food.
This was corrected with the introduction of enzymes. Since that time the
struggle has been centered around the lungs. A CFer's lungs fill with a
thick sticky mucous that makes them susceptible to many illnesses that would not
affect non-CFers's. In recent years the challenge has been against
Pneumonia, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, and
Burkholderia Cepecia.
The life expectancy of a CFer has
increased dramatically over the past 30 years. It has increased from less
than 18 year to over 32 years. Now the goal is to increase this much
further. This is why your help is so important.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
recently published an article that did an excellent job at educating people
about the effects of this terrible disease.
To read Roland Merullo article titled Of Young Life and
Breath, which appeared in the April 7, 2002 edition of The Inquirer Magazine,
click here.
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