Symptoms vary between affected individuals, and can change over a person's lifetime. Those with milder symptoms are sometimes not diagnosed until teenage or adulthood, and commonly experience atypical symptoms.

Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms

Cystic fibrosis has no cure, but can be treated to manage the effects of presenting symptoms. Medications can be used to thin mucus and control respiratory and digestive symptoms. Newer medications can target the mutated genes, allowing for better performance of inhibited proteins, lessening the severity of symptoms. Other treatments include airway clearance techniques, pulmonary rehabilitation, and certain surgeries.

Cystic Fibrosis Treatment

Vaeth, S. V., & Martins, L. M. (n.d.). Teens, cystic fibrosis and emotional health. The Cystic Fibrosis Center at Stanford. https://med.stanford.edu/cfcenter/teens/CysticFibrosisandEmotionalHealth_000.html

reference for cystic fibrosis and teen mental health

Quittner, A. L., Saez-Flores, E., & Barton, J. D. (2016). The psychological burden of cystic fibrosis. Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine, 22(2), 187–191. https://doi.org/10.1097/mcp.0000000000000244

reference for the psychological burden of cystic fibrosis

Often times, treatments for adults may not be as efficient as treatments for adolescents and vice versa. As such, the lived experiences of patients of different age demographics with the same chronic condition can vary widely. So, the need to examine the realities and burdens faced by both groups separately is important in understanding the overall psychological burden of cystic fibrosis.

Experiences in Different Age Groups of Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, commonly involving the loss of a single amino acid, phenylalanine. This loss changes the primary structure of the CFTR protein, preventing it from functioning properly to transport salt and water across membranes. The resulting defect leads to the production of abnormally thick and sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and obstructs the pancreas, preventing natural enzymes from helping the body break down food and absorb vital nutrients. To develop cystic fibrosis, children must inherit the mutated gene from both parents; inheriting it from only one parent results in an asymptomatic carrier.

Cystic Fibrosis Causes

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder that affects cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices. In affected individuals, these secretions are much thicker than they should be, causing blockages in passageways of the body.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

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- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cancers
- AIDS
- Hemophilia
- Epilepsy
- Hepatitis
- Hyperhidrosis
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Long COVID

List of Medical Disabilities

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.) Cystic fibrosis. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cystic-fibrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353700

Cystic Fibrosis Mayo Clinic

https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology/

Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

Microbiology is produced through a collaborative publishing agreement between OpenStax and the American Society for Microbiology Press. The book aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology.

OpenStax Microbiology Textbook

Abnormally excessive sweating that is often unrelated to body temperature nor exercise. Known as the silent disorder, this is a widespread condition that affects almost 3% of the population. Currently, solutions to alleviate the condition either serve as temporary solutions or cause many other side effects.

Hyperhidrosis

- Cancer is a term that refers to a collection of diseases in which some of the body's cells divide uncontrollably and invade surrounding tissues. 
- Cancer can metastasize, i.e., spread to other parts of the body. Metastatic cancer is hard to treat and tends to be fatal. Most cancer deaths are caused by metastasis.

This node should be a relation node, but I can't delete it since it's a root node of the "cancer" tree and it has two upvotes.


Cancer

According to the CDC, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attack’s the infected person’s immune system. With proper care, one can manage their HIV symptoms and protect their families, however, when not treated HIV leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, also known as AIDS. 

HIV/AIDS 

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, resulting in seizures, unusual behavior, sensations, and lack of awareness. Symptoms may vary widely, and at least 2 seizures without a known cause at least 24 hours apart are usually required for an epilepsy diagnoses.

Epilepsy

Cystic Fibrosis


Based on the Guidance made by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in 2022,  "Long COVID" can be referred as the post COVID-19 symptoms that last for weeks, months or years :
- a physical impairment including any physiological disorder or condition affecting one, or more body systems 
- a mental impairment including any mental or psychological disorder such as an emotional or mental illness.

Long COVID in United States

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal because either the body doesn't make enough insulin, or the body can't use its own insulin well enough. Diabetes can be qualified as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) when the symptoms are severe and require treatment at work. The ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with diabetes disabilities.

Diabetes

The SSa's Blue Book section 4.00 lists all the heart disease that SSA considers a "cardiovascular aliment". The SSA defines a cardiovascular aliment as any disorder that affects the proper functioning of the heart or the circulatory system.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Long covid itself may not be a disability but given its potentially debilitating effects on people’s lives, it can be disabling. Long covid symptoms may also constitute disabilities because of loss of human function or because of a persistent impairment that undermines a person’s quality of life. 
An employment tribunal in the UK has for the first time ruled that a person’s long-COVID is a disability protected by the Equality Act 2010 in July 29th, 2022. 

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