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 Cystic Fibrosis Stuff |
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| Questions most often asked about CF | List Of CF Links | Connor's Current Meds | Recipes for CF Children | Miscellaneous CF stuff |
| Questions most often asked about CF | 
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| *If you have a question, but the answer is not given, PLEASE, PLEASE feel free to ask me! It's all about awareness! And if I can't answer it, I'll find someone who can! :o) | |
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| What is Cystic Fibrosis (CF)???
Posted by Charla Schriever on 11/01/2005 |
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| Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. A defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. These thick secretions also obstruct the pancreas, preventing digestive enzymes from more... | |||
| What are the Symptoms?
Posted by Charla Schriever on 11/01/2005 |
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| People with CF have a variety of symptoms including: very salty-tasting skin; persistent coughing, at times with phlegm; wheezing or shortness of breath; an excessive appetite but poor weight gain; and greasy, bulky stools. Symptoms vary from person to person due, in part, to the more than 1,000 mutations of the CF gene. more... | |||
| How is one diagnosed with CF?
Posted by Charla Schriever on 11/01/2005 |
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| The sweat test is the standard diagnostic test for CF. A sweat test should be performed at a CF Foundation-accredited care center where strict guidelines are followed to ensure accurate results. This simple and painless procedure measures the amount of salt in the sweat. A high salt level indicates CF. more... | |||
| Treatment and Outlook
Posted by Charla Schriever on 11/01/2005 |
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| The treatment of CF depends upon the stage of the disease and the organs involved. Clearing mucus from the lungs is an important part of the daily CF treatment regimen. Chest physical therapy is a form of airway clearance done by vigorous clapping on the back and chest to dislodge the thick mucus from the lungs. Other types of treatments include more... | |||
| WHY can't Connor be around other CF kids/patients?
Posted by Charla Schriever on 11/01/2005 |
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| CF patients can transmit a certain number of dangerous bacterias to eachother. For example, pseudomonas is a common bacteria, but can be very harmful to CF patients (and it can be transmitted from patient to patient). more... | |||
| WHY does he need to stay away from anyone who is sick or who has been sick?
Posted by Charla Schriever on 11/01/2005 |
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| People with CF get sick extremely easy and what is a cold to a healthy person and can go away in a couple days, but to someone with CF it can become much worse and could take over a month to go away and turn into something much worse and need antibiotics. (This is the reason hand sanitizer is used and shoes must be removed by guests in our home) more... | |||
| WHY does Connor have to get clapping done, and how often?
Posted by Charla Schriever on 11/01/2005 |
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| Connor gets the clapping (CPT) done, to loosen up mucus in his lungs. He does this twice a day in 8 different spots around his chest for 3 minutes each. Although, he would do it up to 3 or 4 times if he were to get sick. more... | |||
| WHY does Connor do breathing treatments and how many does he have?
Posted by Charla Schriever on 11/01/2005 |
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| Connor does breathing treatments for a couple of reasons. In the morning, he has Albuterol (to open the airways and break up mucus) and Pulmozyme (to thin the mucus). In the evening, he has another dose of Albuterol. That is a total of 3 treatments, although, he would have a significant amount more if he were to get sick. more... | |||
| Why does Connor take enzymes?
Posted by Charla Schriever on 11/01/2005 |
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| Connor takes enzymes before every meal because, due to mucus blockage, his pancreas does not work. Your pancreas helps you absorb vitamins, protein, and fat. Without enzymes, Connor will not absorb these, which leads to an upset stomach, diarreah, weight loss, vitamin deficiency, among others. more... | |||
| WHY does Connor have to have a high fat, high protein, high caloric, high salt diet?
Posted by Charla Schriever on 11/01/2005 |
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| He must have extra fat, protein and calories because he does not absorb these well due to his insufficient pancreas. If he didn't eat this way, he would lose weight. He must have extra salt because he loses a lot salt in his sweat, which leads to dehydration. more... | |||
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 View Archived Questions most often asked about CF |
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