Cystic Fibrosis Health Center

While there is no treatment or cure for Cystic Fibrosis, there are steps that can be taken to regulate the disease. As treatments for Cystic Fibrosis continue to improve, life expectancy for those with the disease continue to go up. Today, some with Cystic Fibrosis are living into their forties and fifties. 

Early treatment includes nutritional and respiratory therapies, medicines, specialized exercise and other varying treatments. Speak with your doctor about pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). PR is a broad program that helps to improve the livelihood of those living with chronic and ongoing breathing problems. 

Chest physical therapy (CPT) can be used to loosen mucus trapped in the lungs and other breathing techniques can be utilized to release additional pressure.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, bronchodilators, or mucus-thinning medicine to treat and prevent lung infection, swelling, and open up airways. 

Oxygen therapy can also be used to help with advanced lung disease. 

Nutritional therapy and a specialized diet are also essential to those with Cystic Fibrosis and can improve growth and development in children. Keeping up a diet rich in calories, fat and protein can make you strong enough to resist certain lung infections. 

Vitamin supplements, oral pancreatic enzymes, high calorie shakes, a high-salt diet and a feeding tube can also be prescribed by your doctor. 

Review Date: 
June 28, 2012
Last Updated:
June 30, 2013
Source:
dailyrx.com