Cystic Fibrosis affects over 9000 people in the UK. Dr Hilary takes a closer look at the disease and its impact on sufferers and their families.
What is CF?
It's a genetic condition that is caused when both parents carry a faulty gene that causes the condition. When two parents have the faulty gene there is a 25% chance a child will be born with CF, and a 50% chance they're be carriers of the faulty gene which they might then pass on to their children.
Children with the disease face a very difficult life with only a 50% chance of living beyond 30. The disease causes a thick mucus to clog the lungs, chest and digestive system, making breathing and absorbing food very difficult.
Children need daily physiotherapy and have to take special enzymes to help them absorb all the nutrients from their food. Children as young as two find themselves taking up to 50 tablets a day. The condition gets worse over time making physical activity very difficult.
Eventually it usually requires a lung and/or heart transplant. There are some 150 patients waiting for transplant - it's thought half of those will die before they find a suitable donor.