How is cystic fibrosis (CF) treated?

How is cystic fibrosis (CF) treated?

You’ll probably have a healthcare team that includes a specialist in cystic fibrosis and many other types of caregivers. There is no cure for cystic fibrosis, but your team will help you manage the disease. The major focus of management is keeping your airways clear. Your provider will also prescribe medicine when needed.

Keeping airways clear

You can help to keep your airways clear if you have cystic fibrosis in a number of ways:

• You can learn special ways of coughing and breathing.
• You can use devices that fit into your mouth or therapy vests that rely on vibrations to loosen mucus.
• You can learn something called chest physical therapy, also known as postural drainage and percussion to loosen mucus. With this method, you move into certain positions so that your lungs can drain. Another person claps their hand on your chest and/or your back to help loosen the mucus. You might combine this with coughing.

Medications for cystic fibrosis

Your provider may prescribe these medicines, which won’t cure CF, but which will help you in certain situations. They include:

• Antibiotics to treat lung infections or prevent them.
• Inhaled bronchodilators to make breathing easier by opening and relaxing your airways.
• Inhaled medicine to make mucus thinner and easier to get rid of.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs, including steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.
• Medications to treat the cause of cystic fibrosis in people with certain gene variants.
• Pancreatic enzymes to aid in digestion.
• Stool softeners to help with constipation.

Surgeries for cystic fibrosis

You may need surgery for cystic fibrosis or one of its complications. These might include:

• Surgery on your nose or sinuses.
• Bowel surgery to remove blockages.
• Transplant surgery, including a double lung transplant or a liver transplant.