Approximately 1,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, usually by the age of three. The median age of survival for a person with CF is 31 years. The sweat test is currently the standard diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis. This simple, painless test measures the amount of salt in the sweat. CF has a variety of symptoms.
CF causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus.
This abnormal mucus clogs the lungs and leads to fatal infections. The thick CF mucus also obstructs the pancreas, preventing enzymes from reaching the intestines to digest food. The treatment of CF depends upon the stage of the disease and which organs are involved. When CF affects the digestive system, the body does not absorb enough nutrients. Therefore, people with CF may need to eat an enriched diet and take both replacement vitamins and enzymes.