Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the pancreas, liver, kidney, intestine and most commonly, the lungs. It affects fluids such as sweat, digestive juices and mucus. In a healthy person, these fluids are thinner and of a slippery texture. However, in a person suffering from cystic fibrosis, these fluids tend to become thick and end up blocking the pathways where the fluid flows from. If you are suffering from cystic fibrosis, there is a mutated gene present in your body that causes mucus to build up in your internal organs.

This mucus, when present in the lungs, causes lung infections and respiratory failure (failure to breathe). When present in the pancreas, your body fails to secrete the right enzymes necessary for digestion and absorb the vital nutrients. 

People with cystic fibrosis inherit two copies of the defective gene that cause it, that is, one from each parent. If you have only one copy of the mutated gene, you are considered a carrier of the disease, but you do not have the disease. If two cystic fibrosis carriers have a child, there is 25% chance that the child will have the disease, 50% chance that the child will also be a carrier but not have the disease, and 25% chance that the child will neither be a carrier, nor have the disease.​​

When to seek expert advise

If you or your child is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, arrange an appointment with your physician early. The Heart, Lungs and Vascular Service Line at The Aga Khan University Hospital offer quality health care and a range of treatment options.​​

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