Cystic Fibrosis

In the past, most deaths from cystic fibrosis occurred in children and teenagers. Today, with improved treatments, people with cystic fibrosis live, on average, to be more than 35 years old. But there is still no cure for cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease. People inherit it from their parents through genes (or DNA). Approximately 30,000 people in the United States have cystic fibrosis. An additional ten million more, or about one in every 31 Americans, are carriers of the defective CF gene, but do not have the disease. The disease is most common in Caucasians, but it can affect all races. The most common treatments for patients with cystic fibrosis include mucus thinners, anti-biotics, broncodilators, and anti-inflammatories. Learn more about the condition of cystic fibrosis with information on causes, symptoms, history, and treatments.