Cystic fibrosis - an inherited disorder that cause severe damage to the lungs,
digestive system and other organs in the body.
Cystic Fibrosis
It is caused by mutations in a gene called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane
conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, INTELLECTUAL IMPACTS
• Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic illness that affects the
It affects the cells that produces mucus, sweat and digestive juices. These body. The toll it can take on your body affects your
secreted fluids are normally thin and slippery. ability to cope with psychological and emotional
stress. Not only can a chronic illness make it
PHYSICAL IMPACTS impossible to do the things you enjoy, it ca also rob
• Causes thick mucus that clogs certain organs such as the you of a sense of hope for the future
lungs, pancreas and intestines. This may cause • Since patients with cystic fibrosis often are tole to
malnutrition, poor growth, frequent respiratory infections, isolate from the public because of their vulnerability,
breathing problems and chronic lung disease they may take days off school. E.g. today a student
• Individuals with CF need medicine such as antibiotics and with CF would be isolating as they would be
are taken regularly for lung infections vulnerable to becoming very ill if they catch Covid
• CF is genetically inherited and progressive, it causes the
EMOTIONAL IMPACTS
body to produce thick mucus. The lungs regularly fill with
• According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation anxiety is one of the most common
mucus to the extent that those who have CF have to have daily
emotional issues faced by these patients. This is related to daily treatments,
physiotherapy
remembering to take medications, missing out on things they want to do, and
• The mucus also affects the digestive system making it
being hospitalised for periods of time
difficult to digest food partially fats
• Patients may need to skip school at certain times given the higher incidence of
• Individuals with Cf are often small due to failure to thrive
infections and disease, and it’s also common for paediatric patients to feel
anxiety, insecurity or depression due to the lack of control of certain aspects of
their lives
SOCIAL IMPACTS
• As an adult with CF they may encounter a very different range of
emotional and social experiences to their peers, such as coping with
work or relationships and CF. Some people with CF may feel barriers
to forming relationships, such as a lack of independence or
embarrassment because of symptoms
• Compared with other chronically ill participants, children with CF
have more social anxiety
• Individuals may not go out to socialise with others and have a
limited social circle due to lack of confidence, fear or not coping,
lack of mobility or the need for medical care
• Some people will be determined that their life should not be restricted
and therefore work had to maintain social contacts/activities
• Could have a negative impacts on relationships/contact with others
e.g. due to feeling like a burden, not wanting to see friends when
unwell, time spent in hospital, being off school or work
• May meet friends with same condition e.g. during hospital days or
through a support group
digestive system and other organs in the body.
Cystic Fibrosis
It is caused by mutations in a gene called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane
conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, INTELLECTUAL IMPACTS
• Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic illness that affects the
It affects the cells that produces mucus, sweat and digestive juices. These body. The toll it can take on your body affects your
secreted fluids are normally thin and slippery. ability to cope with psychological and emotional
stress. Not only can a chronic illness make it
PHYSICAL IMPACTS impossible to do the things you enjoy, it ca also rob
• Causes thick mucus that clogs certain organs such as the you of a sense of hope for the future
lungs, pancreas and intestines. This may cause • Since patients with cystic fibrosis often are tole to
malnutrition, poor growth, frequent respiratory infections, isolate from the public because of their vulnerability,
breathing problems and chronic lung disease they may take days off school. E.g. today a student
• Individuals with CF need medicine such as antibiotics and with CF would be isolating as they would be
are taken regularly for lung infections vulnerable to becoming very ill if they catch Covid
• CF is genetically inherited and progressive, it causes the
EMOTIONAL IMPACTS
body to produce thick mucus. The lungs regularly fill with
• According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation anxiety is one of the most common
mucus to the extent that those who have CF have to have daily
emotional issues faced by these patients. This is related to daily treatments,
physiotherapy
remembering to take medications, missing out on things they want to do, and
• The mucus also affects the digestive system making it
being hospitalised for periods of time
difficult to digest food partially fats
• Patients may need to skip school at certain times given the higher incidence of
• Individuals with Cf are often small due to failure to thrive
infections and disease, and it’s also common for paediatric patients to feel
anxiety, insecurity or depression due to the lack of control of certain aspects of
their lives
SOCIAL IMPACTS
• As an adult with CF they may encounter a very different range of
emotional and social experiences to their peers, such as coping with
work or relationships and CF. Some people with CF may feel barriers
to forming relationships, such as a lack of independence or
embarrassment because of symptoms
• Compared with other chronically ill participants, children with CF
have more social anxiety
• Individuals may not go out to socialise with others and have a
limited social circle due to lack of confidence, fear or not coping,
lack of mobility or the need for medical care
• Some people will be determined that their life should not be restricted
and therefore work had to maintain social contacts/activities
• Could have a negative impacts on relationships/contact with others
e.g. due to feeling like a burden, not wanting to see friends when
unwell, time spent in hospital, being off school or work
• May meet friends with same condition e.g. during hospital days or
through a support group
