Comment from: holdingonforhope, 13-18 Female (Caregiver)Published: October 27
A friend of mine recently passed away due to an infection in her blood stream. She was in the hospital being treated for malnutrition brought on by her cystic fibrosis. Her older sister, who has CF as well, recently received a lung transplant just after graduating from high school. It was extremely difficult to watch someone who was younger than me, and who had a full life ahead of her, pass away. I am currently in college working to receive my nursing degree, and she will remain in my heart as my motivation for the rest of my life.
Comment from: djnutz82, 19-24 Male (Caregiver)Published: June 28
My girlfriend has cystic fibrosis and 3 weeks ago suffered a collapsed lung. She was treated with 1 tube then 2 tubes in the chest as the 1 wasn't working. After another week she had an x-ray and the doctor said he feared her lung would collapse again if they removed the tubes so they decided to operate. The next day she went and had the operation and then was put on a ventilator for the next 48 hours. In that time she caught pneumonia. After 5 days of antibiotics I was told she was making improvements and getting stronger but then 2 days later was informed that the antibiotics had stopped working and to expect the worst. However now she has been put on a higher and stronger dosage of antibiotics and has been told it is clearing the infection. However I'm still extremely worried as I was told before she was improving.
Comment from: dragonfly, 45-54 Female (Caregiver)Published: May 21
My mother is 49 and just last week was told she has cystic fibrosis and that she will need a lung transplant. My mother has battled for many years with RA and has had many tests done. I've been curious during this week of finding out how after all the tests and x-rays my mother has had just in the past year, how no one noticed it. I'm worried of losing my mother. Last fall she was in the hospital for 2 weeks with the swine flu that almost took her from us. How could something like this be missed after all she is 49 years old. I've read and researched and listened to doctors say it was RA causing the cystic fibrosis, but what I've learned in research in the past week says it's inherited. The doctor says lung transplant and I'm curious how long is that list, will she live long enough to get one as a mother and a daughter I have to admit I've cried myself to sleep, I've cried everyday and I freaked out when my mom told me the bad news thankfully she told me while I was home on the phone with her instead of at the hospital with her. I refuse to let my mom see how worried I am for her.
Comment from: Nana, 0-2 Male (Patient)Published: August 17
My grandson was diagnosed with CF at birth he is now eleven months old. He is on enzymes, micro lipids and has four breathing treatments a day when he eats his stomach swells and has to be given MiraLax. His breathing is very rapid and his mucus is very thick it is a daily struggle to keep him well!
Comment from: SPE96, 13-18 Female (Patient)Published: April 05
I live in Dominican Republic. I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 6. Here in my country, there aren't any doctors who are specialized in the disease, so I have to go every 3 to 6 months to the USA to get checked. I have to admit that living with CF isn't easy, but talking with others that have it can help you a lot. Another thing that had helped me is staying positive. If you think positive, positive things would happen to you.
Comment from: dsd334, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: April 26
I am a 46-year-old female patient. I was diagnosed at 19 months old. I do well for the most part, however, my regular cystic fibrosis doctor passed away a couple of months ago, and I am seeing a new doctor that has changed a lot of my medicine, so I am not doing as well as I have in the past. Please get with a doctor that is knowledgeable about CF, will treat lung infections aggressively and treats the whole body, not just the lungs.
Comment from: mandygurl, 7-12 Female (Caregiver)Published: July 11
My nine year old sister has cystic fibrosis, and it's extremely hard to watch her daily suffer. She needs to take over thirty pills a day, and could swallow huge pills by the time she was 2 1/2. She has to go through two nebulizer treatments per day, physical therapy, and more. It takes a lot of time, attention, patience, frustration, and more. I recently participated in CF Teen Advocacy Day, and want nothing more than a cure to be found. I can't bear the thought that my little sister is going to die before me, and might never be able to have a family of her own.
Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on MedicineNet. The opinions expressed in the comments section are of the author and the author alone. MedicineNet does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Suggested Reading on Cystic Fibrosis by Our Doctors
Diarrhea is a change is the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency are all symptoms of diarrhea. Absorbents and anti-motility medications are used to treat diarrhea.
Gallstones are stones that form when substances in the bile harden. Gallstones (formed in the gallbladder) can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. There can be just one large stone, hundreds of tiny stones, or any combination. The majority of gallstones do not cause symptoms.
Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.
Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. There are a number of causes of dehydration including heat exposure, prolonged vigorous exercise, and some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The best way to treat dehydration is to prevent it from occurring.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease. Treatment of chronic cough is dependant upon the cause.
Cysts are saclike structures that can occur throughout the body and usually contain a semisolid, liquid, or gaseous substance. Infections, tumors, genetic conditions, chronic inflammatory conditions, and wear and tear can cause cysts. Though some cysts may be palpable, others may not produce any symptoms. Treatment depends upon the location and cause of the cyst.
Pancreatitis is a rare disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, occurring when digestive enzymes are activated and begin attacking the pancreas causing damage to the gland. There are two types of pancreatitis, acute and chronic. Most commonly caused by alcohol or gallstones, it can lead to bleeding in the gland, serious tissue damage, infection, and cysts. Enzymes and toxins may then enter the bloodstream and seriously injure organs, such as the heart, lungs, and kidney.
Stool color is generally brown. When stool color changes, often, an individual becomes concerned. The presence of the bilirubin in bile is generally responsible for stool color. Bilirubin concentration can vary bile color from light yellow to almost black in color. Changes in bilirubin can cause stool to turn green, gray, or clay-like in color. Intestinal bleeding may turn stool black, tarry, red, maroon, or smelly stool. Medication and food may also affect stool color.
Learn about osteoporosis, a condition characterized by the loss of bone density, which leads to an increased risk of bone fracture. Unless one experiences a fracture, a person may have osteoporosis for decades without knowing it. Treatment for osteoporosis may involve medications that stop bone loss and increase bone strength and bone formation, as well as quitting smoking, regular exercise, cutting back on alcohol intake, and eating a calcium- and vitamin D-rich balanced diet.
Heat stroke (heatstroke or sun stroke) is a form of hyperthermia. Heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not promptly and properly treated. Symptoms of heat stroke include: high body temperature, absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, strange behavior, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizure, and coma. A victim of heat stroke must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage.
A pneumothorax is free air in the chest outside the lung, that causes the lung to collapse (collapsed lung). There are two types of pneumothorax, spontaneous or primary pneumothorax and secondary pneumothorax. Symptoms include sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, cough, and fatigue.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Infertility is the diminished ability to conceive a child. The primary cause of infertility in men is a sperm disorder. In women, the primary cause of infertility is an ovulation disorder. Most forms of infertility can be treated. Conventional infertility therapies include drugs or surgery.
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement fluids. Warning signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and fainting.
The time when boys and girls begin the process of sexual maturation is called puberty. During this time, both sexes undergo a series of biological changes that include a rapid increase in height, bone growth, weight increase, the growth of pubic hair, breast development and the onset of menstruation in girls, and testicle, penis, and muscle enlargement in boys.
Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the bronchial tubes of the lung become damaged. Inflammation from infection or other causes destroys the smooth muscles of the bronchial tubes. Bronchiectasis is a form of COPD (which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis). There are three primary types of bronchiectasis: 1) cylindrical bronchiectasis; 2) saccular bronchiectasis; and 3) cystic bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis may also be acquired or congenital. The most common symptoms of bronchiectasis are recurrent cough and sputum production. There is no cure for bronchiectasis. Treatment is often geared toward controlling the symptoms of bronchiectasis.
Genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Types of genetic inheritance include single inheritance (for example, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome, and hemochromatosis), multifactoral inheritance, chromosome abnormalities (for example, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome), and mitochondrial inheritance (for example, epilepsy and dementia).
Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy.
Intussusception is the telescoping (prolapse) of a portion of the intestine within another immediately adjacent portion of intestine. Intussusception affects children between the ages of 3 months and 6 years of age. The causes of intussusception is not clearly understood. Symptoms of intussusception include bilious vomiting, "currant jelly stool," and colicky abdominal pain. Intussusception is an emergency requires immediate attention.
The risks for developing type 2 diabetes include family history, ethnicity, birth weight, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Warning signs pointing to an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes include irregular menstruation, impaired fasting glucose, inflammatory markers, and other risks. Gestational diabetes is also a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Prevention of type 2 diabetes can be achieved through a healthy diet (Mediterranean diet), exercise, weight control, not smoking, and medication.
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with rickets, cancer, cardiovascular disease, severe asthma in children and cognitive impairment in older adults. Causes include not ingesting enough of the vitamin over time, having limited exposure to sunlight, having dark skin, and obesity. Symptoms include bone pain and muscle weakness. Treatment for vitamin D deficiency involves obtaining more vitamin D through supplements, diet, or exposure to sunlight.
Trying to get conceive, or become pregnant can be challenging, frustrating, and an emotional rollercoaster for some couples. There are things you can do to chart progress, which may ultimately lead to a successful healthy pregnancy, or, when necessary, lead to discussions with a fertility specialist. Being aware of your menstrual cycle, charting your fertility pattern, knowing the reasons for infertility, and treating infertility are key points to discuss with your partner and physician.
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are fitness programs that fit any age or lifestyle.
Secondhand smoke can cause illness and disease in nonsmokers. Some of these conditions include lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory illnesses such as asthma, SIDS, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Learn how you can protect yourself and your family from secondhand smoke exposure in the home environment and workplace.
Heat exhaustion is one part of the spectrum of
heat-related illnesses that
include, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and
heat stroke.
The body cools itself by sweating and allowing that sweat to evaporate. This
requires enough fluid in the body to make sweat, air circulating across the skin,
and low air humidity to allow that sweat to evaporate.
Activity in a hot environment can overwhelm the body's ability to cool
itself, causing heat-related symptoms.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating,
weakness,
nausea,
vomiting,
headache, lightheadedness, and
muscle cramps.
Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke when the body's temperature
regulation fails. The affected individual becomes confused, lethargic and may
have a seizure, the
skin stops sweating and the body temperature may exceed 106 F (41 C ). This is a
life-threatening condition and emergency me...
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Lungs RSS
Healthy Living Tips
This site complies with the
A friend of mine recently passed away due to an infection in her blood stream. She was in the hospital being treated for malnutrition brought on by her cystic fibrosis. Her older sister, who has CF as well, recently received a lung transplant just after graduating from high school. It was extremely difficult to watch someone who was younger than me, and who had a full life ahead of her, pass away. I am currently in college working to receive my nursing degree, and she will remain in my heart as my motivation for the rest of my life.
Related Reading: cystic fibrosis