Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a
congenital disease of the exocrine glands primarily affecting the
gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. The lungs, pancreas, intestines,
and sweat glands are the primary organs affected.
Cystic Fibrosis
is currently the most common fatal genetic disease in the United States.
The median age of survival for a person with CF is 31 years. Cystic
fibrosis affects approximately 30,000 children and young adults. It occurs
in approximately one of every 3,300 live births.
In about 10% of
the cases, the diagnosis of CF is not made until the individual is in the
late teens.
SYMPTOMS
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High concentration of sodium and chloride in the human sweat |
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Persistent coughing, wheezing and pneumonia |
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Excessive appetite, but poor weight gain and weight maintenance |
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Chronic production of abnormally thick mucus |
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Progressive lung damage as disease continues its course |
TREATMENT
Postural drainage (also
called chest physical therapy) requires vigorous movement, "clapping" or
"pounding" with cupped hands, on the back and chest to dislodge thick
mucus from the lungs. Antibiotics are used to treat lung infections and
are administered intravenously, via pill, and/or medicated vapors which
are inhaled to open up clogged airways.
When the digestive system
is affected, the body does not absorb enough nutrients. An enriched diet
high in calories, fat, and protein is suggested. Twice the
recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals is also
recommended.
COMMONLY USED MEDICATIONS
Pulmozyme
?a mucus thinning drug
Ibuprofen
?a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
TOBI
?tobramycin solution for inhalation
Phenylnbutyrate
?to address metabolic disorders
Cystic Fibosis Foundation CysticFibrosis.com
HELPFUL HINTS
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Always get parent and physician permission before an individual with CF participates in a physical activity. |
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Allow the individual with CF to monitor and control his/her own activity levels. |
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Encourage those with Cystic fibrosis to cough out the mucus in their lungs before, during, and after participation in activity. |
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With the permission of the individual and/or parents of the individual with CF, provide information for other individuals involved in the program about CF with particular emphasis on the fact that it is not a communicable disease. |
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Precautions should be taken to minimize exposure to respiratory infections. |
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A participant's fluid intake should be monitored before, during and after exercise. |
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An individual with CF may need to take medications or use an inhaler during activity. |
CONTRAINDICATED ACTIVITIES
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High diving and, without a physician's permission, scuba diving. |
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
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Badminton, racquetball and tennis |
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Bicycling |
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Swimming (most participants will prefer to wear a nose clip) |
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Volleyball |
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Dance |
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Aerobic dance |
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Active walking or jogging |
Begin with low-intensity exercise and increase intensity as
the individual will tolerate it.
Information on this fact sheet
contains only suggested guidelines. Each physical education and physical
activity program must be individually designed to meet the unique needs of
the individual. A physician's written consent must be obtained before an
individual participates in such a program.
Links
Information on this sheet contains only suggested guidelines. Each person must be considered individually, and in many cases, a physician's written consent should be obtained.
With thanks to the TWU Master's Level Course, "Issues in Adapted Physical Education," taught by Kerrie Berends, Summer, 1998.