Treatments for CF

Question 1

How do bronchodilators help treat CF?

Answer 1

Fine mist breathed into lungs through a mouthpiece.
These drugs relax the muscles in the airways.
Opening them up and relieving chest tightness.

Question 2

How do antibiotics help treat CF?

Answer 2

Used to kill or prevent the growth of bacteria in the lungs.

Question 3

How do DNAase enzymes help treat CF?

Answer 3

They breakdown the DNA released by white blood cells, so that the mucus is easier to clear from the lungs.

Question 4

How do steroids help treat CF?

Answer 4

Reduce inflammation of the lungs.

Question 5

What diet should someone with CF have?

Answer 5

• high energy food
• double the quantity of recommended protein
• may need salt supplements

Question 6

How do digestives enzyme supplements help treat CF?

Answer 6

If the pancreatic duct is blocked, food molecules in small intestine cannot be broken down enough to be absorbed.
They help complete digestion

Question 7

How does physiotherapy help treat CF?

Answer 7

Helps loosen the mucus and improves the flow of air into and out of the lungs
2 x a day

Question 8

How does a heart and lung transplant help treat CF?

Answer 8

If the lungs are badly damages the only option available may be to replace the damaged lungs with a heart and lung transplant.

Question 9

What is gene therapy?

Answer 9

potential future treatment
Alters the genotype and hence the phenotype of cells affected by the conditioning.
A working CFTR protein is incorporated into the cell membrane - restoring the ion channel and avoiding the symptoms of CF.