Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that affects the entire body, causing progressive disability and early death. Cystic fibrosis affects the entire body and impacts growth, breathing, digestion, and reproduction. Difficulty breathing and insufficient enzyme production in the pancreas are the most common symptoms.



The Pancreas of patients with Cystic Fibrosis fails to produce enough enzymes that are necessary to break down food. As a result the food eaten retains its fats and most of its nutrients as it passes through the body.

The bronchial tubes in the lungs also malfunction and produce a thick, sticky mucus. Germs multiply in this mucus and cause respiratory infection such as pneumonia, accompanied by a cough and high fever that is more severe than normal.

A multitude of other symptoms, including sinus infections, poor growth, diarrhea, and potential infertility (mostly in males) result from the effects of cystic fibrosis on other parts of the body. Patients with Cystic Fibrosis also sweat profusely and their perspirations also contains an unusually high percentage of salt.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common life-limiting recessive disease among people of European heritage. Two copies of the recessive mutated gene, one from each parent is needed by the human body to develop Cystic Fibrosis.

Because cystic fibrosis testing is expensive, testing is often performed on just one parent initially. If that parent is found to be a carrier of a CFTR gene mutation, the other parent is then tested to calculate the risk that their children will have cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis can result from more than a thousand different mutations and, as of 2006, it is not possible to test for each one. Most commercially available tests look for 32 or fewer different mutations.

Couples who are at high risk for having a child with cystic fibrosis; i.e. cystic fibrosis has developed in family members, will often opt to perform further testing before or during pregnancy. After birth cystic fibrosis may be diagnosed in newborn with sweat testing, or genetic testing.

Most states and countries do not screen for cystic fibrosis routinely at birth. Children with cystic fibrosis typically do not gain weight or height at the same rate as their peers and occasionally are not diagnosed until investigation is initiated for poor growth. Males tend to have a longer life expectancy than females but the reason is unknown.

Use a mask nebulizer and other inhalations treatments are the most common forms of treatments for cystic fibrosis. The goal is the treating and limiting the amount of lung damage caused by thick mucus and infection. Albuterol and ipratropium bromide are inhaled to increase the size of the small airways by relaxing the surrounding muscles. As lung disease worsens, breathing support from machines may become necessary.

Most individuals with cystic fibrosis take additional amounts of vitamins A, D, E, and K and eat high calorie meals.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with treating Cystic Fibrosis such as Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Lactase Enzyme, Papaya, Protein Tablets, Vitamin B, Amino Acid and L-Carnitine.

Dr. Harry Schwachman reported "most patients with cystic fibrosis have low levels of vitamin E". Vitamin E protects lung tissue form inhaled pollutants and aids the functioning of the immune system.

Vitamin K helps the blood to clot after and injury.

A number of studies have suggested that taking antioxidants such a Vitamin A reduces the risk of bronchoconstriction. Vitamin A is stored in the liver and fat cells of the human body and can reach toxic levels. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin A.

Lactase Enzyme makes milk products more readily digestible.

Papaya contains lipase, which assists in Fat and Cellulose digestion.

Protein tablets increase protein intake.

All of the different Vitamin Bs taken together as B-Complex work together as a team to perform vital biological processes, such as energy production and efficient metabolic function. Vitamin B boost energy levels and help fight fatigue.

Amino Acid help regulate growth, digestion and maintaining the body's immune system.

L-Carnitine is essential for the body's ability to turn food into energy. L-Carnation increases energy at the cell level by increased fat burning, increases the body's ability to remove toxic disease-causing compounds and helps cells live longer.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and not to be construed as medical advice.