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Pulmonary Function
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Pulmonary function measures how well a person's lungs are working. The job of the lungs is to deliver fresh air to the body and to remove the used air. Improve lung function by doing the following treatments in the order they are listed: Take Airway Bronchodilators: Individuals with CF should take airway dilators as directed. Taking airway dilators opens up the air passages in the lungs. Opening the lung passages makes breathing easier and it allows the body to eliminate lung mucus much more easily since the pathway to the exit is wide open. Administer Pulmozyme: Pulmozyme is prescribed for some patients with CF because it can reduce the risk of lung infections, and it tends to improve breathing. Pulmozyme works by attacking the mucus that clogs the lungs. It helps the body break apart and thin mucus so it is easier to get out of the lungs. Less mucus in the lungs means there are fewer places for germs to hide, and this usually results in fewer lung infections. Remember, Pulmozyme is a medication designed to help prevent lung infections, so CF patients may not feel a big difference in how their lungs work when taking it. Perform Airway Clearance: Clearing mucus from the lungs and airways is an effective way to improve breathing, and limit lung infections. Airway clearance helps remove the mucus that clogs the lungs of individuals with CF. The mucus clogs are what make breathing difficult. Clearing the airways is also a proven way to reduce lung infections. When the lungs are not regularly cleaned the mucus that remains becomes a magnet for germs that may cause the lungs to become infected. Each lung infection may permanently damage the lung and make breathing tougher. Remember that airway clearance helps prevent future lung illness so keep up the treatments even if the patient cannot feel a difference. Administer TOBI: Some patients are prescribed TOBI because it attacks a type of germ that often gets stuck in the lung mucus of individuals with CF. If individuals with CF get too many germs, or get germs of a certain type in their lungs they can get an infection. When lungs get infected breathing gets harder. Lungs may also be permanently damaged by infections. If TOBI has been prescribed be sure to take it twice a day. Do not stop taking this medication unless told to by the CF clinic. Administer Steroids:Steroids are important to individuals with CF. Steroids help keep the lungs open by reducing the swelling that often occurs as a result of irritation caused by mucus in the lungs. If the lungs swell from irritation then the patient has to work harder to move air into or out of the lungs. Take these drugs as directed and the lungs will benefit. Contact the CF Center if the mucus from the lung changes in color or thickness. Call the center if breathing is getting tougher. Also, let the clinic know right away about any fever or possible lung infection. [Keyword: Cystic Fibrosis] |
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