Contents
General description of the disease
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the liver, bronchi, pancreas, salivary, genital, sweat, intestinal, glands (that is, it affects the mucous organs). This explains the very name of the disease. It translates from Latin as “mucus” and “thick, viscous.”
The cause of cystic fibrosis is a mutated gene called the transmembrane regulator or cystic fibrosis gene. It is responsible for the production of a protein that controls the movement of chlorine in the membrane, as well as throughout the human body. In people with cystic fibrosis, this gene does not perform its functions correctly, which leads to unnatural secretions (sweat becomes very salty, and the mucous membrane becomes sticky and viscous).
Forms of cystic fibrosis and their symptoms
1. Bronchopulmonary cystic fibrosis. It occurs in 20% of cases, for this form – a characteristic persistent, obsessive, painful cough, with frequent attacks, while sputum is rarely and difficultly separated. During periods of exacerbation – pneumonia, bronchitis. The course of these diseases is difficult and prolonged. Body temperature rises to 38.5-39 degrees, shortness of breath appears.
2. Intestinal cystic fibrosis falls on 5% of the population. The main features of this form of the disease:
- increased appetite, but at the same time a lack of body weight is visible to the naked eye;
- frequent bowel movements;
- persistent bloating and flatulence;
- acute abdominal pain.
3. Mixed cystic fibrosis occurs most often (75%). It is also called pulmonary. Manifestations can be in a combination of the first and second forms of cystic fibrosis.
Often, cystic fibrosis manifests itself in the first days of life. At the same time, the baby has constant gag reflexes, there is no stool, the tummy is constantly swollen. On the 12th day, the baby has very pale and dry skin, vessels are visible on the abdomen. He himself is lethargic and symptoms of intoxication are increasingly manifested.
Also, the majority of children have the “salty child” syndrome, when salt crystals are visible on the face or armpits of the child, the skin has a salty taste. This syndrome can be independent of the form of cystic fibrosis.
Useful foods for cystic fibrosis
With this disease, the patient needs to eat as often as possible and consume as many calories and fat-soluble vitamins as possible: A, D, E, F, K (these groups of vitamins are poorly absorbed in patients, therefore, the dose of their consumption should be increased).
All of these essential vitamins are found in such foods:
1. Animal origin:
- dairy;
- egg yolk;
- liver;
- caviar;
- butter;
- fish and fish oil (especially sea oil: salmon, squid, mackerel, sardines, eel, mackerel, tuna, trout, also useful: herring, pike perch);
- meat (especially pork, beef, lamb).
2. Plant origin:
- vegetables (carrots, sweet and hot peppers, any cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkin);
- greens (parsley, dill, lettuce, garlic, green and onions, nettle, celery, sorrel, rhubarb, spinach);
- fruits and berries (bananas, apples, pears, mountain ash, apricots, peaches, melons, persimmons, sea buckthorn, viburnum, currants, avocados);
- mushrooms;
- oils: corn, sunflower, olive, nut, soybean, pumpkin, nut, linseed;
- dried fruits: dried apricots, prunes, raisins;
- seeds, nuts (peanuts, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds), sesame;
- cereals: wheat, oatmeal, buckwheat, barley;
- sprouted wheat;
- salt (to replenish what was lost, especially in the “salty child” syndrome).
To avoid constipation, you must drink plenty of fluids (at least 2 liters of water per day, in addition to juices, compotes, decoctions).
Traditional medicine for cystic fibrosis
The use of medicinal herbs should be divided into groups, depending on the symptoms.
- 1 To improve the separation of sputum in bronchopulmonary cystic fibrosis, decoctions of marshmallow, mullein, coltsfoot leaves will help.
- 2 To normalize the work of the pancreas with intestinal obstruction, infusions of dandelion, wheatgrass or elecampane have a beneficial effect;
- 3 To prevent infection, you need calendula, birch buds, and eucalyptus.
- 4 To increase immunity, as a fortifying agent, extracts of radiola rosea and Eleutherococcus will help.
In addition to decoctions and infusions, inhalations with essential oils (lavender, hyssop, citral, basil) can be carried out.
Dangerous and harmful foods for cystic fibrosis
There are no special restrictions, you just need to avoid low-calorie foods, otherwise the body may be depleted (it will not be able to produce enough energy for normal life).
Of course, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle and eat regularly and correctly (without convenience foods, fast foods and instant food).
Do not limit the amount of sugar if there is no diabetes mellitus.
Attention!
The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!
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