Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disorder of the body's mucus glands that primarily affects the respiratory and the digestive systems in children and young adults. Cystic fibrosis is characterized by the production of abnormally thick and sticky mucus, which obstructs a number of tracts in the body. Especially affected are the airways and pancreatic ducts, preventing normal digestion and leading to malabsorption and malnutrition. It is a chronic, progressive and frequently fatal disease. However, improvements in treatment and medications have allowed many with cystic fibrosis to survive well into their thirties and forties, survival ages unheard of in the past when death often occurred in a patient's late teens or early twenties.
Home Medical Equipment for Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Early in the disease process, people who have CF will probably not have a need for any kind of medical equipment intervention other than a nebulizer to deliver inhaled medications. As the disease progresses, additional respiratory equipment may be required, including percussors, mucus clearance devices, home oxygen therapy and in some cases home mechanical ventilation. Overall decline in general health might also necessitate the use of more general products such as a cane and a walker; daily living aids; bathing and toileting products; and perhaps even a wheelchair or a scooter.
