The History of Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis was a disease that has been around since the Middle Ages. Many infants with “salty” skin often died in infancy or young. These babies and children were considered “bewitched” because they died at such an early age.

The scientist Fanconi first named the disease in medical history when he refers to it as cystic fibrosis with Bronchiectasis. A scientist from Columbia University first developed a complete profile and description of cystic fibrosis symptoms. A profile did not help much with treatment in 1938. It was finally discovered in 1949 that cystic fibrosis was caused by a recessive mutant gene. Diagnosed then as a genetic disease improvements are being made each year in treatments for this incurable disease.

In 1953 the Pediatric Society noticed cystic fibrosis patients suffered from excessive dehydration during a heat wave in New York City. Columbia University discovered cystic fibrosis patients were secreting large amounts of salt in their sweat. This is what led to developing the sweat test to diagnose cystic fibrosis.

More advances were not made until the early 1980’s when researchers discovered organ damage caused by cystic fibrosis was caused by the malfunction of the epithelial tissue. In 1989 a pair of scientists discover and isolate the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis. The gene was credited to the chromosome number seven. It is responsible for cystic fibrosis.

Today, in 2007, strides are being made in treatment and early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis but there is still no known cure for the disease. The basic problem with the disease of cystic fibrosis is the same in all patients. The abnormality in the number seven chromosomes affects the glands that produce sweat and mucus. Our bodies need sweat to keep cool but the mutant gene causes excessive loss of salt in the sweat. Mucus is good to have too because it lines important organs in our body keeping them from drying out. Cystic fibrosis causes the patient’s mucus to become excessively heavy, discolored, and sticky. Mucus sticks to the lining and allows germs, bacteria, and infections to linger and cause severe infections.

Cystic fibrosis normally affects the digestive and respiratory system but is known to affect other organs also. CF causes liver problems, digestive disorders, and can even lead to osteoporosis and bone loss. If a person loses a great deal of salt in their sweat, it can cause abnormal heart rhythms and shock. When the digestive organs are affected, the patient does not process food as they should and the body does not receive enough of the vital nutrients it needs.

Patients with cystic fibrosis should take steps to maintain good health including eating healthy foods, staying active, and avoiding smoking or being in a smoky place. Cystic fibrosis patients already have problems with breathing and smoking further complicates an already incurable disease. Staying active will help keep the thick mucus loosened so it can be expelled from the body. Patients may also want to take supplements because the digestive system has problems digesting foods.