Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease whose symptoms usually appear shortly after birth. They include faulty digestion, breathing difficulties and respiratory infections due to mucus accumulation, and excessive loss of salt in sweat. In the past, cystic fibrosis was almost always fatal in childhood, but treatment is now so improved that patients commonly live to their 20s and beyond.

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Note added at 4 hrs (2006-05-09 19:12:47 GMT)
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Cystic fibrosis (CF), also called mucoviscidosis, is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease that affects the lungs, sweat glands and the digestive system. This is an inherited disease of the exocrine glands affecting the lungs and the digestive systems. The lungs in these persons can become infected easily which may cause permanent damage to the alveoli, bronchioles and bronchi. Production of thick, sticky mucus blocks the airways and obstructs normal ventilation and function of the lungs.

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Note added at 10 hrs (2006-05-10 00:58:17 GMT)
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पुटीय तंतुमयता----Putiya TantumaytA is an approved term by Commision for Scientific and Technical Terminology, Govt. of India.