Cystic Fibrosis: Current Treatments Raising Life Expectancy

Cystic Fibrosis: Current Treatments Raising Life Expectancy

Introduction

There are many diseases that currently trouble the Governments of many countries. Diabetes, Addison's disease and Bronchiectasis have been the reason behind many deaths even in the most developed countries of the world. However, the diseases that always have earned the most attention is Cystic Fibrosis. There are a number of reasons behind the failure of various Governments in controlling the prevalence of disease. These include lack of awareness programs for the public, careless attitude, lack of timely, sufficient, and quality treatment. Whatever the reason may be, many individuals every year lose their lives as result of this disease.

Discussion

Cystic fibrosis can be defined as an autosomal genetic recessive disorder, which affects organs that includes the lungs, liver, pancreas, and intestine. The disease can be characterized by the abnormal transport of sodium and chloride across an epithelium, thereby resulting in viscous thick, secretions.

There exist no cure for the disease. However, treatment can ease the symptoms and decrease the complexities of the disease. Careful monitoring and early and timely aggressive intervention are the first step to the treatment. The more elaborate treatment of Cystic fibrosis can be categorized into four classes. These include medication, therapy, surgery and rehabilitation (Rowe, Miller & Sorscher, 2005).

Medication

There are several options in the field of medicine that can be adapted in accordance with the status of the disease. All these medications prevent the spreading of the disease in the early stage in addition to easing the symptoms for the patients there by increasing the chances for his survival (Fitzsimmons, 1993).

Antibiotics

These are used to both prevent and treat the infection in lungs (Fitzsimmons, 1993).

Drugs for Mucus-thinning

These drugs are used so that the patient could cough up the viscous mucus, which in ...