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Overview for Dietary and Lifestyle or Treatment info
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This condition has an incidence
of one in every 2000 live births has a genetic cause. A faulty gene
causes an inability to transport salt in particular types of cells in
the lungs and pancreas. Symptoms result from a widespread dysfunction
of the exocrine glands with damage to the pancreas and lungs due to
blockages of their ducts with sticky, tenacious secretions. It is characterised
by repeated chest infections, pneumonia and other breathing problems.
The pancreatic disorder causes malabsorption, particularly of fat and
this nutrient may pass through the body resulting in weight loss and
pale fatty stools (steatorrhoea). This may also mean if suitable measures
are not taken, the patient becomes deficient in fat-soluble vitamins
and fatty acids. Malnutrition and poor growth are common features of
this disease. The sweat of cystic fibrosis patients contains an increased
amount of salt. This coupled with diarrhoea may sometimes lead to sodium
deficiency.
When the digestive system is involved, just after birth, the bowels
may not operate and cause obstruction of the bowel content.
Overview | Orthodox
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