Symptoms of cystic fibrosis can vary from child to child. A baby born with cystic fibrosis usually has symptoms during its first year. However, sometimes signs do not show up until teen years or even later. But like most things, it is important to catch it early so treatment can be started to start feeling better. An early sign of cystic fibrosis in infancy is when babies are born with an intestinal blockage called meconium ileus. Another early sign is salty tasting skin because of the higher levels of sodium than normal in the sweat.
This picture clearly states the symptoms of all the affected organs.
(You can click on the pictures to make them bigger)
Clubbed fingers from chronic hypoxia (deprivation of oxygen)
Treatments
Even though treatment for cystic fibrosis has improved greatly, there is still no cure for cystic fibrosis. Therfore people living with cystic fibrosis must follow a regular treatment routine to stay healthy and maintain optimal lung function. Most often, treatment for cystic fibrosis begins with techniques to trigger strong coughs that help loosen and clear thick mucus from the airways. Nutrition and drug therapies are also important for children and adults with cystic fibrosis. Some treatments include:
Chest Physical therapy
This guy is wearing a special vest, which compresses his lung and back area to help loosen the mucus. In other words this helps dislodge the mucus from the lungs so thaits easier to cough up the mucus. Chest physical therapy for cystic fibrosis should be done three to four times each day. Other devices include the electric chest clapper,
Antibiotics
Most people with cystic fibrosis have ongoing, low-grade lung infections, which may require hospitalization. Antibiotics are the primary treatment for cystic fibrosis.
Nebulizers/inhalers
These are used a lot because nebulizers delivers a bolus does of medication right into the lungs. Typically the medication is a bronchodilator, mucus thinners, or some kind of antibiotic. Usually it is recommended to have two sessions a day where one is in th morning and one is later in the evening. These can take between 30-50 minutes.
Nebulizers/inhalers
ExerciseThis may help to loosen the mucus, encourage coughing to clear the mucus and Improve overall physical condition. If you exercise regularly, you may be able to cut back on your chest physical therapy. No one says that you have to run marathons, just getting out and being active regularly can help greatly.
High Calorie Diet
In CF a high calorie and high fat diet is needed for normal growth and development in children, and it offers adults a way to maintain good health. Because of malabsorption there are enzyme replacement pills that need to be part of the patient’s diet to digest fat and protein. Having a diet like this means that they are able to indulge in all the pleasureable foods like these below that most people try tJam
o stay away from:
French fries- Breakfast cereals
- Pasta
- Pizza
- Hamburgers and Hot dogs
- Pancakes
- Donuts
- Jam
- Cheese
- Bread
- Meat like bacon and beef
- Dips
- Etc...
Other treatment methods may include:
- Lung Transplantation
- Oxygen
