Question 1

why does cystic fibrosis cause a person's sweat to be abnormally salty?

Accepted Answer

Extra loss: Cystic fibrosis is caused by a genetic mutation  of cftr protein that moves chloride ions out of cells in respiratory tract, but into the cells in sweat gland ducts. Since cftr protein is not functional in CF pts, excess chloride gets secreted in their sweat, which causes the sweat to have higher salt concentration. That is why a sweat test measuring chloride is used as a diagnostic test for cf.

Question 2

since sweat is salty normally, how can you tell if it's extra salty, like in cystic fibrosis? please advise?

Accepted Answer

: It is difficult to figure out if someone is extra salty but there is a test for cystic fibrosis. If you are concerned that someone may have cystic fibrosis, they should be seen by a doctor and get tested. There is treatment for cystic fibrosis and the earlier the treatment is given, the better. Best of luck to you!

Question 3

why do people with cystic fibrosis have unusually salty sweat?

Accepted Answer

CFTR: There is a defect in the sodium-chloride transporter encoded by the cftr gene results in an inability to appropriate consentrate saline in secretions (sweat, in the airway, in the pancrease) that are more viscous.

Question 4

sweat chloride testing for cystic fibrosis=standard tests?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Gold Standard: The gold standard for a diagnosis of CF is 2 back-to-back sweat chloride tests.  However, the ability to run genetic tests and detect the disease in this fashion is becoming more common.  In fact, it is now standard procedure in all 50 states for newborn babies to be screened, via blood from a heel prick, for cystic fibrosis.

Question 5

my son & wife tested neg for cystic fibrosis through screening test, not sweat test. however my son has  hirschsprung disease. should i test for cf - or it's high unlikely i have it? i'm 32. feel fine

Accepted Answer

I wouldn't: There is no relationship between Hirschprung disease and CF. If you wand to know if you are an asymptomatic carrier of CF, the tests are available. However, you don't get to age 30 without symptoms when you have the disease and your fertility would also be diminished.If your wife is not a carrier, you can not produce babies with CF.

Question 6

can someone be diagnose with cystic fibrosis in their 40's?

Accepted Answer

As a carrier: Genetic carrier testing:
more than 10 million americans are symptomless carriers of the defective CF gene. This blood test can help detect carriers, who could pass CF onto their children. To have cystic fibrosis, a child must inherit one copy of the defective CF gene from each parent.

Question 7

i have family members with cystic fibrosis. is it possible to start show the symptoms in my 20's?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: It is not likely.  CF manifests during childhood, most often in infants,  however, there are some forms of CF that are not diagnosed until later in adulthood (even though symptoms would have started in childhood).  These particular forms of CF result in frequent sinus or upper respiratory infections, and can be incorrectly "written off" as chronic sinusitis or upper respiratory disease.

Question 8

what are the chances of a child getting cystic fibrosis among the different racial groups in the u.s.?

Accepted Answer

Overall 1/3700: Acording to the CF foundation: the overall birth prevalence is 1/3700 . It can occur in any race, however the greatest incidence is in caucasians of northern european descent, being 1/2500. The other major groups affected are hispanics 1/13500, african americans 1/15000.
More than 10 million of us carry one part of the defective gene, but to have the disease you must have a copy from both parents.

Question 9

hello doctors, can you tell me how many late diagnosis of cystic fibrosis are in the united states every year, like in the mid 30's? is it common or uncommon? what would lead to the diagnosis? would you have had to have had illness your whole life?

Accepted Answer

: HealthTap volunteers don't have time to do this kind of research. You can find such answers very quickly yourself online. Start with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Good luck.

Question 10

can people with cystic fibrosis have children?

Accepted Answer

Varies: Men are often sterile due to the absence of the vas deferens (a tube that carries sperm). Not all men with CF are sterile, though. Women can usually have children. Depending on the severity of their disease this may not be recommended.

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Doctor answers about:

Do people who suffer from cystic fibrosis sweat more than regular people do

A member asked:

Why does cystic fibrosis cause a person's sweat to be abnormally salty?

A member asked:

Since sweat is salty normally, how can you tell if it's extra salty, like in cystic fibrosis? please advise?

A member asked:

Why do people with cystic fibrosis have unusually salty sweat?

A member asked:

Sweat chloride testing for cystic fibrosis=standard tests?

A member asked:

My son & wife tested neg for cystic fibrosis through screening test, not sweat test. however my son has hirschsprung disease. should i test for cf - or it's high unlikely i have it? i'm 32. feel fine

A member asked:

Can someone be diagnose with cystic fibrosis in their 40's?

A member asked:

I have family members with cystic fibrosis. is it possible to start show the symptoms in my 20's?

A member asked:

What are the chances of a child getting cystic fibrosis among the different racial groups in the u.s.?

A member asked:

Hello doctors, can you tell me how many late diagnosis of cystic fibrosis are in the united states every year, like in the mid 30's? is it common or uncommon? what would lead to the diagnosis? would you have had to have had illness your whole life?

A member asked:

Can people with cystic fibrosis have children?

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