According to research from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, approximately 30,000 people are living with cystic fibrosis, or CF, (and more than 70,000 globally) with roughly 1,000 new cases of CF diagnosed annually. CF is generally detected in infancy, which means 75% of patients are diagnosed before 2-years of age. While there is no absolute cure, cystic fibrosis treatments ease the havoc caused by the condition. For patients with the disease, it is advisable to conduct early screening that leads to aggressive treatment intervention. Almost all states do a screening of newborns, which would reveal the levels of chemical immunoreactive trypsinogen responsible for cystic fibroids. The genetic makeup of a patient may also confirm diagnosis, as there are specific gene defects that predispose an individual to CF.

Doctors can evaluate a patient’s’ condition and recommend different cystic fibrosis treatment options that prevent and control infections in the lungs. The following treatment options often result in removal and loosening of mucus in the lungs that allow for more efficient breathing. The digestive system is one of the areas that is also affected by CF patients, who report symptoms of indigestion and stomach upset so treatment often includes clearing of blockages in the intestines. Additionally, doctors often recommend medicine that promotes adequate nutrition and boosts appetite in patients. Available CF treatments may include:

1. Medications for CF
The medicines that treat CF often include antibiotics to prevent lung infections in addition to:

• Anti-inflammatory cystic fibrosis medications ease swollen airways and reduces swelling for better breathing in patients.
• Doctor-prescribed mucus-thinning drugs help the patients to cough out the mucus that would be sitting in the lungs.
• Bronchodilators, an inhaled medication, aims to relax the muscles of the airways thus opening the lungs and the bronchial tubes for proper breathing in patients.
• Some patients can take oral pancreatic enzymes that help them to digest and absorb nutrients fostering adequate nutrition which is essential for improvement of their condition.
• Patients with a specific gene mutation causing CF may take ivacaftor, a drug meant to improve the functioning of the lungs while reducing the amount of salt lost via sweating.

2. Physical therapy
Chest physical therapy involves loosening of mucus from the chest via physical technique, usually by clapping with cupped hands on both the back and front side of the chest. This can only be done under the supervision of a doctor.

3. Vest therapy
Vest therapy uses a mechanical device to loosen the mucus on the lungs, the vest is worn usually are fitted with the vibrating device or a mask you can breathe into.

4. Physical rehabilitation
Rehabilitation could help managing CF immensely via nutritionally counselling, education on the condition, regular physical exercise (i.e., breathing techniques that open the airways). This kind of rehabilitation is done on an outpatient basis.

5. Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy aims to help CF patients whose oxygen levels in the blood have declined.

6. Surgery
The last resort for patients who are managing CF would be undergoing surgery to remove obstructions. Bowel surgery aids to remove any blockages in the digestive system and promote ease of digestion passing stool. Chronic cystic fibrosis may also necessitate the surgical use of feeding tubes to deliver required nutrients.