Cystic Fibrosis
Explanation
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up, especially in the lungs and digestive system.
What does cystic fibrosis mean?
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition that causes mucus to become unusually thick and sticky. This mucus can build up in the lungs and can also interfere with digestion. The condition is often shortened to CF and describes the disease as a whole, not just one symptom or laboratory result.
What do sweat and CFTR tests show?
A sweat test measures chloride, one part of salt, in sweat. A CFTR gene test looks for changes in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene, shortened to CFTR. The CFTR protein helps control the movement of salt and water across cell surfaces; changes in its gene can disrupt this process in cystic fibrosis. The sweat and gene tests provide different kinds of evidence, and neither test name is interchangeable with the diagnosis itself.
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