May is national Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month (CF). CF is a genetic disease that allows a person
to inherit large amounts of mucus in the lungs and pancreas. It usually isn’t detected until the age of 18
or older.
Signs of CF can include a variety of health difficulties. A person with the disease can experience
frequent short breaths. Coughing and
fevers can increase. A person with CF
may also experience the lack of desire to eat and sinus trouble.
Treatment with CF can vary to prolong the disease. There are antibiotics to treat lung and sinus
infections and lung transplants might be an option. Flu shots annually have been proven
to help as well. Oxygen therapy could
also be used depending on the seriousness of the disease.
Young adults living
with CF can lead regular lives until older adulthood by having a high protein
diet as needed, exercising, and drinking plenty of fluids. They should also stay away from dust, mold or
mildew. Life expectancy for a person
with Cystic Fibrosis is currently 37 years.
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