What is everyday life like with cystic fibrosis?

The average person with CF spends 2 to 3 hours each day going through their regimen of treatments when you include all treatments plus time for nutritious meals and fitness. Add in school, work, and family time and it's easy to understand why time management plays such a huge role in successfully living with CF.

What would it be like to live with cystic fibrosis?

Mucus buildup leads to complications ranging from mild or inconvenient to detrimental. The digestive system and lungs are the two systems CF hits the hardest. It can cause difficulty processing food, but the worst consequence of mucus buildup is the infections that can stem from it. CF is a cyclical journey.

Is life hard with cystic fibrosis?

Handling the physical limitations of cystic fibrosis, coping with a shorter life expectancy, and dealing with a sometimes lesser quality of life are all huge parts of living with this disease. It is so important to understand but, regrettably, treating mental health issues is only now becoming a big focus in CF care.

Can you live a happy life with cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis doesn't have to hold you back from following your dream of continuing your studies. People with CF are living longer and healthier lives, and as a result more are attending university or college than ever before.

What activities can you not do with cystic fibrosis?

Activities to avoid

These are scuba diving, skydiving, bungee jumping, and high-intensity activities at high altitudes. Those with an enlarged liver or spleen should avoid collision sports such as football, basketball, or soccer.

Beth's Cystic Fibrosis Story | Nuffield Health

Can people with cystic fibrosis live independently?

Support is available to help people with cystic fibrosis live as independently as they can and have the best possible quality of life.

How old is the oldest person with CF?

The oldest person in the United States diagnosed with CF for the first time was 82. Those who are not diagnosed with CF until later in life generally suffer from colds, sinus infections, pneumonia, stomach pains, and acid reflux. They may also have trouble gaining or keeping on weight.

Is cystic fibrosis a serious problem?

Cystic fibrosis is a disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other areas of the body. It is one of the most common chronic lung diseases in children and young adults. It is a life-threatening disorder.

How old is the oldest person with cystic fibrosis?

The oldest person in the United States diagnosed with CF for the first time was 82. Those who are not diagnosed with CF until later in life generally suffer from colds, sinus infections, pneumonia, stomach pains, and acid reflux. They may also have trouble gaining or keeping on weight.

Can people with CF have kids?

Most women with CF are able to become pregnant and achieve a normal pregnancy. Your obstetrician should be able to help you understand your reproductive health to help you make the right family planning decisions.

Does CF get worse as you get older?

Cystic fibrosis tends to get worse over time and can be fatal if it leads to a serious infection or the lungs stop working properly. But people with cystic fibrosis are now living for longer because of advancements in treatment. Currently, about half of people with cystic fibrosis will live past the age of 40.

Why can't cystic fibrosis patients be together?

For people with CF, being close to others with the disease puts them at greater risk of getting and spreading dangerous germs and bacteria. This is called cross‐infection. Not only are these dangerous germs difficult to treat, but they can also lead to worsening symptoms and faster decline in lung function.

What should people with cystic fibrosis avoid?

Dietary Restrictions

As with any diet, eating foods with empty calories (such as sugar-laden drinks) is not recommended on the cystic fibrosis diet. People with CF need to eat a balanced diet with a variety of bright-colored fruits and vegetables, whole grains, whole-fat dairy products, and healthy protein.

What can you not do with cystic fibrosis?

Avoid activities that put you near other people with CF, to lower the risk of spreading sickness. Frequently wash your hands with soap and water. Clean and disinfect your medical equipment properly. Don't share items that come into contact with saliva (straws or utensils) with other people -- even family.

How long do people love with cystic fibrosis?

Based on the 2021 CF Foundation Patient Registry data, the current life expectancy for CF patients born between 2017 and 2021 is 53 years — a substantial jump from a decade ago when the life expectancy was 38. Now, almost 60% of us are older than 18.

Can you live to 70 with cystic fibrosis?

Some people will live longer. In fact, some people with CF are living into their 70s.

What are the needs of someone with cystic fibrosis?

Treatments for cystic fibrosis

antibiotics to prevent and treat chest infections. medicines to make the mucus in the lungs thinner and easier to cough up. medicines to widen the airways and reduce inflammation. special techniques and devices to help clear mucus from the lungs.

What is an interesting fact about cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common fatal genetic (inherited) disease in North America. 2. CF occurs when a person inherits a mutated (abnormal) copy of the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) gene from each parent. Approximately 2000 CFTR gene mutations have been linked to disease.

Can I marry someone with cystic fibrosis?

This means that more people with the disease are old enough and healthy enough to become independent adults who go to college, hold down jobs, get married, and have children. However, there are some special considerations when people with CF get married and start a family.

Is CF inherited from mother or father?

Genetics and Diagnosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease. People with CF have inherited two copies of the defective CF gene — one copy from each parent. Both parents must have at least one copy of the defective gene.

Can you date with cystic fibrosis?

Mucus, digestion issues, ports, hospital admissions, chronic coughing, and pills and treatments all have their necessary place in a relationship with someone who has CF. It can make dating hard and intimidating at first. Revealing and coping with CF for a couple can be overwhelming and difficult as well.

How painful is cystic fibrosis?

Pain is an important part of cystic fibrosis disease in children and adults. Indeed, pain is reported in more than 60% of studies published last years. Further studies are necessary to create a specific pain assessment tool to evaluate pain and improve care.

What limitations does a person with cystic fibrosis have?

What kind of limitations does someone with CF have? People with CF can live very full, normal lives. There are no limitations to their exercise, diet, or activities. However, due to the different lung infections that they can get, they should not meet or talk with other patients with CF in-person.

Can you have CF and not know it?

Some people may not experience symptoms until their teenage years or adulthood. People who are not diagnosed until adulthood usually have milder disease and are more likely to have atypical symptoms, such as recurring bouts of an inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis), infertility and recurring pneumonia.