07 May – Health

Today we spoke to Cheryl Vermeulen and Ruth Ireland from the Cystic Fibrosis Association. Cystic fibrosis is a relatively common hereditary or genetic disease, which can have a devastating effect on one’s health. Symptoms include excessive mucus production by the cells that line the lungs, the intestine, the sweat glands, the pancreas, the liver and the reproductive tract. The thick, sticky mucus produced by patients suffering from cystic fibrosis can block any one of the ducts in the above mentioned systems, for example it may clog the lungs to such an extent that the patient cannot breathe properly, while the mucus can also damage lung cells. This can lead to constant coughs, wheezing and lung infections like acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory complications. For more information you can contact the South Africa Cystic Fibrosis Association at (021) 557-0323.

And we also spoke to Sigi Channer - National Coordinator of the Dystonia Association of South Africa. Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. The disorder may be inherited or caused by other factors such as birth-related or other physical trauma, infection or reaction to drugs. For more on Dystonia you can contact the Dystonia Association of South Africa at (011) 326 2112 alternatively you can visit www.dystonia.org.za