Improved medical treatment and early diagnosis are key factors in improving life expectancy for cystic fibrosis patients. The disease interferes with sweat, mucus, and digestive enzyme production, causing fatal complications. Proper treatment, diet, and exercise can improve prognosis, while medication and surgery can control infections and mitigate respiratory and digestive problems.
The main factors influencing life expectancy with cystic fibrosis are improved medical treatment for the disease and early diagnosis. Cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease, tends to have a short life expectancy, but medical researchers continue to discover ways to help patients with cystic fibrosis live longer and with a better quality of life. People with cystic fibrosis must be vigilant in treating their disease and must follow a proper diet. Medical treatments range from drugs to surgery.
Cystic fibrosis interferes with the normal production of sweat, mucus and digestive enzymes. The reason life expectancy with cystic fibrosis tends to be low is because the complications of the disease are often fatal. Cystic fibrosis causes thickened mucus and digestive secretions. Thick mucus that builds up in the lungs poses a high risk of respiratory system infection. In the pancreas, thick secretions prevent the organ from producing the enzymes needed to digest food, resulting in malnutrition.
The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis can be made in newborns through a procedure that checks for the presence of a high level of salt in the sweat. The sooner the disease is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin, and proper treatment, both clinical and at home, is key to improving life expectancy with cystic fibrosis. The symptoms of cystic fibrosis are concentrated in the respiratory and digestive systems. Because the disease causes thick mucus to interfere with normal lung function, life expectancy with cystic fibrosis can be affected by recurring respiratory infections. Patients also suffer from digestive problems which include constipation, poor nutrient absorption and weight loss.
Life expectancy with cystic fibrosis can be improved through diet. Patients should eat healthy and nutrient-rich meals and consider taking supplements that will provide them with extra calories and nutrients. Fluid intake is also crucial, as drinking plenty of water helps reduce the thickness of mucus in patients’ lungs, making coughs more productive. Patients with cystic fibrosis should avoid smoking or breathing secondhand smoke. They should also strive to get regular exercise, as physical exertion improves respiratory function and encourages sticky mucus to move.
While there is no cure for the disease, the prognosis for cystic fibrosis can be improved through the use of medications that help control the infection and other possible complications. Antibiotics are prescribed for patients with cystic fibrosis to prevent respiratory infection. Other drugs work to thin the mucus in a patient’s lungs and mitigate the disease’s pernicious effects on the respiratory system. If a patient is severely malnourished, her life expectancy can be increased by a feeding tube so she can receive crucial nutrients and calories. Progression of cystic fibrosis may require surgery, such as transplanting both lungs or performing an emergency procedure to clear the intestinal blockage.
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