MCG SUPPORTS NATIONAL CYSTIC FIBROSIS AWARENESS WEEK

October 15, 2002

Augusta, Ga. -- Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that affects about 30,000 people in the U.S. For those diagnosed, simple, everyday activities most people take for granted - such as breathing and eating - are a struggle.

The United States Senate recently declared National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week in the United States on October 13-19, 2002. MCG Health System, one of only three CF care centers in Georgia, is proud to support this initiative.

CF causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, causing chronic infections that may lead to serious respiratory problems. In 85 to 90 percent of patients, this mucus also interferes with digestion, preventing the body from absorbing essential fats and nutrients.

Some symptoms of CF are salty-tasting skin, persistent cough, wheezing or pneumonia, excessive appetite, poor weight gain. People may have some, all or none of these symptoms. The most common test for CF is a simple, painless one called a "sweat test."

At MCG Health System, a multidisciplinary team, including pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, social workers and educators, works with both child and adult patients who have CF.

"As the only cystic fibrosis care center outside of Atlanta, MCG Health System plays a significant role in the treatment of cystic fibrosis," said Nicole Wimmer, RN, BSN, who is Nurse Clinician and Coordinator of the MCG Cystic Fibrosis Center. "Raising awareness of this disease is critical to prevention. If you are a carrier of cystic fibrosis, you have no symptoms. But if you and a carrier have a child together, that child has a 25 percent chance of inheriting CF."

It is estimated that one in 30 (10 million) Americans are symptomless carriers of a gene for cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations on a specific chromosome. Genetic testing can currently screen individuals to see if they are carriers.

According to the National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Committee, a volunteer organization with members nationwide and associates all over the world, raising awareness of cystic fibrosis is crucial to the future of individuals with the disease. Increased knowledge and understanding of cystic fibrosis in schools, the workplace and social situations will greatly improve their quality of life. In addition, awareness brings about earlier diagnosis, which is imperative for optimal treatment.

For more information, click on www.cfawareness.org or www.cff.org.
For more information on the MCG Cystic Fibrosis Center, call 706-721-2635 or click on www.mcghealth.org.

MCG HealthCare is the health system of the Medical College of Georgia and is comprised of MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the School of Medicine and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Hospitals and Clinics, Children's Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by offering the highest level of primary and specialty health care.