Cystic Fibrosis: Coping with the CF Cough

Cystic fibrosis often causes problems with both the digestive system and the respiratory system but most times it only causes problems in just one or the other. The majority of people develop complications in the respiratory system which often leads to a chronic cough.

Coughing is one of the most noticeable symptoms and sometimes it leads to gagging, disturbed sleeping and even vomiting. This might be a little embarrassing to people with cystic fibrosis especially if they are in public. Luckily enough there are a lot of support groups and medicine to help cope with this chronic cough.

Respiratory treatment, which is any treatment that improves breathing, helps a lot and should be taken according to the doctor’s prescription. You will not only breathe better but also notice that the cough is not so severe. Bronchodilators are included in this treatment and are also used by asthmatic people. In cystic fibrosis, a bronchodilator makes breathing easier and also helps to cough up mucus and clearing your lungs.

Another cost effective alternative is inhaling saltwater solutions and this too, helps clearing mucus from the lungs. It also helps to reduce inflammation in the airways.

Chest percussions are a must when you suffer from cystic fibrosis. This basically helps you cough up mucus and you can either do the percussions yourself or go to a physiotherapist.

Another airway clearance technique is deep breathing exercises to strengthen the muscles that are used for breathing. You might also be given an advice to perform directed coughing to help clear mucus by breathing and coughing in a specific way.

Aerobic exercise is a very effective way to improve how well the lungs work. Always ask your doctor before you engage yourself to certain exercises and keep one thing in mind, never to overdo it.

Other methods to reduce coughing are a positive expiratory pressure mask and high frequency chest compression. Smoking or passive smoking is to be totally avoided.

After you do and take the treatment prescribed then it’s time to explain to your close friends or family about your chronic cough. This phase might be more difficult than taking the treatment because it can lead the person to feel embarrassed.

It’s your choice to decide how much information you want to give the asker. You can either say it’s just a cough or give more information, especially if the asker is a close friend or relative.

If you tell people that your cough is due to cystic fibrosis, then make sure you give them adequate information and assure them that it is not contagious and will in no way harm them. Just explain that when you are feeling weak you have to stay at home because you are more prone to catch a cold or virus.

When you tell these kind of things to people, often times they seem interested and ask questions. You can either answer everything they ask or ask them to go online and read more about it. Whatever you choose is good, because they will be able to understand your position more and become more supportive.

Never be afraid to cough if you need to as suppressing your cough will only lead to more coughing later on. So whenever you feel the need, just isolate yourself a little bit and do it.

You are most likely to find people who will either not understand the disease or people who will make fun of you. In both cases ignore people of this sort. They are not worth your explaining.

After you tell close friend or relatives about cystic fibrosis and coughing they are most likely to do some research online. As we all know, online sites don’t always deliver the right information. So if one of your friends has the facts wrong, tell them nicely and explain all over again and be grateful that they found time to research something and show them that you are touched. This will help build a trusting relationship.

Resources

http://www.wikihow.com/Explain-Cystic-Fibrosis

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec04/ch053/ch053a.html

http://health.yahoo.com/respiratory-treatment/cystic-fibrosis-treatment-overview/healthwise--hw188735.html