Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

This is a genetic disorder that affects many glands in the body. The purposes of glands are to secrete fluid. There are glands in the lungs that protect the lungs by secreting phlegm. There are glands in the liver, pancreas, and intestines that help with digestion of foods. There are also glands in the skin that secrete sweat to lower your body temperature when you are hot. CF can cause problems with any of these glands.

Symptoms of cystic fibrosis start to show at very young ages. If you have CF you may or may not have significant problems with your lungs. CF lung problems cause your lungs to make more than normal amounts of phlegm. The phlegm produced is also thicker than normal. Because of these changes, it is very hard for you to get all of the phlegm out of your lungs. This leads to pneumonias, bronchiectasis, and makes it very hard to breathe.

Physical therapists can teach you and your family about CF and how to manage your disease. This is important to increase your health and improve your quality of life, and decrease your risk of developing complications. There are many manual techniques that your parent or caregiver can learn, and some special breathing exercises for you that can help get your phlegm out of your lungs.
Just like any other child, it is important that you are active! However, some changes may have to be made so that you do not become too short of breath. A physical therapist can teach you how to make these changes.

Here are some helpful links that give more information on cystic fibrosis:

• http://www.ccff.ca/ -Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Association
• http://www.cff.org/ -America Cystic Fibrosis Association
• http://www.cysticfibrosis.com

Other Cardiorespiratory Conditions
Other Medical Conditions