1. Cystic Fibrosis (SIS-tik fi-BRO-sis) By: Eleftheria Ria Karoutis

2. What is Cystic Fibrosis? Cystic fibrosis is also known as CF Inherit two faulty genes for the disease Mainly affects lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, sinuses, and sex organs.

3. Causes of the disorder.. CF cannot be "caught" like a cold or the flu Caused by a mutation in a gene called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Can only get it if his/her parents both are carriers. Boys and girls are equally likely to have CF. Researchers noticed higher levels of some essential fatty acids in people with CF.

5. What are the symptoms? CF causes the body to produce large amounts of thick mucus Affects the lungs, digestive and reproductive systems Mucus in the airways causes wheezing, coughing, and trouble breathing Large amounts of mucus blocking the pancreas prevents enzymes from being released 98% of men are infertile, women can bear children but can pass down CF Can develop diabetes, or suffer from liver and lung damage

7. How is it inherited? A double recessive allele is needed for cystic fibrosis to be apparent Found on chromosome 7 Chloride channel protein that is critical for normal functioning of multiple organs

8. Is there a treatment? Back in the 50s patients had a life expectancy of only 5 years Before antibiotics were available approximately 75% of children with CF died before the age of ten Treatments will vary from person to person Vibrations to help loosen the mucus Mucus thinners, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and bronchodilators Enzyme supplements

9. Like any other defect, Cystic Fibrosis affects the patients, the patients family and society as a whole.

10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KHb33WUQEU

11. Recent advances/direction of current research The gene responsible for cystic fibrosis was only discovered in 1989 Scientists have made steady progress in understanding CF and developing strategies to defeat it Foundation’s provide the resources and support for studies that are leading to important new therapies and better treatment Discoveries are being turned into potential drugs that attack both the symptoms of CF and the cause (faulty gene)

12. Are there any research foundations/ support groups/ charities?

13. Bibliography Children with Exceptionalities in Canadian Classrooms- Margret Winzer (book) http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/1479 60.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/1479 60.php http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_cond ition_info_details.asp?channel_id=2048&relatio n_id=110053&disease_id=41&page_no=2http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_cond ition_info_details.asp?channel_id=2048&relatio n_id=110053&disease_id=41&page_no=2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cystic_fibrosis http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2 0071013230224AA8JwPIhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2 0071013230224AA8JwPI http://www.cfedmonton.ca/help.html