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Treatment, medications for cystic fibrosis (PART 8)


Bangladeshpost
Published : 19 Jun 2022 08:30 PM

There is no cure for cystic fibrosis, but treatment can ease symptoms, reduce complications and improve quality of life. Close monitoring and early, aggressive intervention is recommended to slow the progression of CF, which can lead to a longer life.

Managing cystic fibrosis is complex, so consider getting treatment at a center with a multispecialty team of doctors and medical professionals trained in CF to evaluate and treat your condition.

The goals of treatment include:

• Preventing and controlling infections that occur in the lungs

• Removing and loosening mucus from the lungs

• Treating and preventing intestinal blockage

• Providing adequate nutrition

Medications:

Options include

• Medications that target gene mutations, including a new medication that combines three drugs to treat the most common genetic mutation causing CF and is considered a major achievement in treatment

• Antibiotics to treat and prevent lung infections

• Anti-inflammatory medications to lessen swelling in the airways in your lungs

• Mucus-thinning drugs, such as hypertonic saline, to help you cough up the mucus, which can improve lung function

• Inhaled medications called bronchodilators that can help keep your airways open by relaxing the muscles around your bronchial tubes

• Oral pancreatic enzymes to help your digestive tract absorb nutrients

• Stool softeners to prevent constipation or bowel obstruction

• Acid-reducing medications to help pancreatic enzymes work better

• Specific drugs for diabetes or liver disease, when appropriate.