Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other areas of the body. It is one of the most common chronic lung diseases in children and young adults. It is one of the life-threatening disorder.
As cystic fibrosis leads to complex and multisystemic involvement patients need care by specialists, treatment and follow-up care at specialty centers with multidisciplinary care teams.
Although there is no cure for cystic fibrosis there are several treatment methods available to control the symptoms and to prevent complications.
The primary goals of CF treatment include the following:
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Maintaining lung function as near to normal as possible by controlling respiratory infection and clearing airways of mucus.
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Administering nutritional therapy (ie, enzyme supplements, multivitamin and mineral supplements) to maintain adequate growth.
- Managing complications.
- Antibiotics: to treat and prevent lung infections
- Mucus-thinning drugs: to help you cough up the mucus, which improves lung function
- Bronchodilators: to help keep your airways open by relaxing the muscles around bronchial tubes
- Oral pancreatic enzymes: to help digestive tract absorb nutrients.
Chest physical therapy
Loosening the thick mucus in the lungs makes it easier to cough up. Chest physical therapy helps loosen mucus and is usually done from one to four times a day. A common technique is clapping with cupped hands on the front and back of the chest.
Changing position can also make it easier to remove mucus from lungs. This is known as postural drainage. Continue reading »
