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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-shortening genetic disease among Caucasians. CF begins at birth and continues through life. The most serious problems are chronic and eventually fatal lung infections. This disease affects both sexes equally.

CF is a disorder of the cells that line the lungs, pancreas, small intestines, and sweat glands. No brain damage is involved, and there is no mental impairment with CF. While respiratory problems can cause weakness and fatigue, this disease is not muscular or neurological in nature.

The basic problem in CF is an imbalance in the sodium chloride exchange in cells in the digestive and respiratory tracts. This results in thick, sticky mucus that impedes gas exchange in the lungs and nutrient absorption in the small intestines. Most people with CF have a pancreas that does not work as well as it should, also known as pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreatic enzymes taken before each meal and snack help prevent maldigestion and malabsroption. Good nutrition is crucial for people with CF. a balanced, high-calorie diet with salt, fat, and protein gives the body what it needs to grow normally and live well. People with CF excrete an abnormally high content of salt in their sweat, which is usually how the disease is diagnosed. In CF, nutrition is the key to good health through life. You must eat well to grow normally, maintain lung function, and fight infections.