What are my options to get treated.
The type of treatment options will vary depending on the how far the disease has progressed in your body. There are many different treatments available for CF patients. I have to take aerosols every day in order for me to stay healthy. Also I have to use the Thairapy Vest after each aerosol. The Vest is a fairly new device for Chest physical therapy. And like most people with CF, I have to take enzymes with every meal.
Here is some the common treatments for Cystic Fibrosis patients.
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Inpatient Treatments |
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Oral medications |
Oral medications |
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Enzymes |
Enzymes |
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Vitamins |
Vitamins |
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Antibiotics |
Antibiotics |
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Bronchodilators |
Bronchodilators |
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Aerosols |
Aerosols |
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Chest Physical Therapy |
Chest physical therapy |
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High calorie diet |
Exercise |
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Exercise |
Surgery |
Will I have to be on medication all the time?
Some people with CF don't have to take medicine at all. It depends on how far the disease has progressed. Almost every person has to take medication every day of their lives. I have to take medication all the time. Sometimes I get sick of it but I know I have to take it to stay healthy.
Here is what the medication does.
Enzymes-Digest your food
Antibiotics-control infection
Bronchodilators-help to open the airways in the lungs so you can move secretions better which will help you breath easier.
Vitamin C-improves the function of certain medication
Vitamin E, A, D, K-are fat soluble vitamins and therefore are not as easily absorbed by someone with CF because of problems releasing digestive enzymes from the pancreas. V
Multiple
vitamins-make sure you are getting enough of all other vitamins.
Aerosols-break down the medications to a very fine mist that allows you to breath them deeper into your lungs.
Chest Physical Therapy
You can do this or someone else can for you. The older method is pounding on the lobes of the lungs, usually done with some assistance from somebody else. A precursor can be used also, but it can be also somewhat difficult do yourself. Those methods loosen the mucus inside your lungs. Now it is time to get the mucus up by vibrating the lungs and coughing. Vibrating the lungs can be done a couple of ways. One way is for someone else to vibrate their hands on the lobes of the lungs. Another way is to use the precursor to vibrate the lungs. All the methods I just talked about are good but not the one I like.
The best method, from my experience, is the Therapy Vest. This device is fairly new. It consists of two hoses connecting a vest and a machine that forces air into the vest which causes the vest to vibrate in and out thus vibrating your lungs and bringing up the mucus.
The last and most common method is get regular exercise. It is also good to participate in athletic activities. This is a good way to exercise and also make lots of friends. The most important reason to be active is to strengthen your lungs.
