Recreation Therapy and Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis, commonly known as CF, is a genetic disorder that causes the body to overproduce mucus. The overproduction of mucus affects many parts of the body. Primarily the lungs, pancreas, reproductive system, liver, sweat glands and intestines are all affected by the condition (Falvo 485). CF is most prevalent in Caucasians, but it also is seen in African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans (“Cystic Fibrosis” 2012). Millions of people are carriers of the CF gene but in order for a child to have Cystic Fibrosis both parents must be carriers of the CF gene (“Cystic Fibrosis” 2012). Therefore the cause of Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic mutation that the child is born with (“Cystic Fibrosis” 2012). Cystic Fibrosis is usually diagnosed before the age of 2. There are many parts of the body that are affected by CF but the most symptoms are shown in the respiratory and digestive systems. Common respiratory symptoms include persistent coughing which produces a thick mucus, difficulty breathing, wheezing, difficulty exercising, fatigue, nasal congestion, and repeated lung infections and pneumonia. Some common digestive symptoms include constipation, weight gain problems, foul-smelling stools that often are pale colored, and nausea (“Cystic Fibrosis” 2012). Other symptoms include no bowel movement in infants within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth, delayed growth, and infertility (“Cystic Fibrosis” 2012). The prognosis of Cystic Fibrosis is best during childhood. As children with CF reach adulthood the disease worsens and more complications arise (“Cystic Fibrosis” 2012). The most common cause of death in Cystic Fibrosis patients is due to lung function complications (Falvo 486). Currently there is no cure for Cystic Fibrosis and the average life expectancy is mid to late thirties (“Cystic Fibrosis” 2011). There have been many advances in medicine and treatment methods and because of this many people live well into their adult life (Falvo 486). There