Question

Brad is a 25-year-old living with cystic fibrosis. He has spent much of his life dealing with the

harsh symptoms of the disease and the reality that his life would probably be short. However, he

received a double lung transplant and can now do things he wasn't able to do before, like going

on trips and even rock climbing! He writes a blog about living with the illness and is president of

the Northern California chapter of the Lung Transplant Foundation.

explain why brad would assume hus life would be short.

1.what us cystic fibrosis

2. how is brad abtle to do high intensity activities like 3. rock climbing, even though he still lives witj cystic fibrosis

Answer 1

1. WHAT IS CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Cystic fibrosis is a serious inherited genetic disease that causes severe damage to your respiratory and digestive systems.Mutations in the CFTR GENE cause the CFTR protein to malfunction or not to be produced at all,leading to the build up of thick mucus. Damage usually occurs due to the buildup of thick and sticky mucus in the organs.The most commonly affected organs are lungs, pancreas, liver and intestines.

Cystic fibrosis affects the cells that produce sweat, mucus, and digestive enzymes. In healthy individuals, these secreted fluids are thin and smooth.They lubricate the tissues and organs, and prevent them from getting dry or infected. But, in people with cystic fibrosis, the faulty gene causes the fluids to become thick and sticky. Instead of acting as a lubricant, these thick fluids obstructs the ducts, tubes, passages etc in the body. This leads to infections,respirotory failures and malnutrition.

It is important to get treatment for cystic fibrosis right away.Early diagnosis and treatment are key ,for improving quality of life and to increase life span.

2. QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER LUNG TRANSPLANT FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS.

When the medical management can no longer maintain lung health and the physical health , lung transplant can improve the quality of life and the life span of the patient with cystic fibrosis.

The lungs transplanted into the patient body do not have cystic fibrosis, since they have the DNA of the person who donated the lungs, and not the faulty DNA that the recepient born with. However, cystic fibrosis will be there in other organs of body such as pancreas, liver etc.

After transplant, most patients report improved strenth and energy, and free from symptoms such as cough, breathlesness etc. After transplant , patient will be having a healthy lung, therefore he will be able to do activities such as mountain climping etc, which needs a good healthy lung.

Lung transplant in cystic fibrosis is for damaged lungs due to cystic fibrosis, however it is not a cure for the disease itself. Cystic fibrosis continues in the other body organs, and prompt medical treatment has to be continued.