Cystic fibrosis is an genetic disease that causes severe injury to the lungs, systema digestorium and different organs within the body.
Cystic fibrosis affects the cells that manufacture mucous secretion, sweat and digestive juices. These secreted fluids are normally thin and slippery.
But in people with fibrocystic disease of the pancreas, a defective cistron causes the secretions to become sticky and thick.
Instead of acting as a lubricating substance, the secretions plug up tubes, ducts and passageways, particularly within the lungs and exocrine gland.