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Nutrition in Healthcare: Cystic Fibrosis
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Nutrition in Healthcare: Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a complicated genetic disorder that, impacts several organs; including
the lungs; pancreas; liver; kidneys; and gut. Fundamentally; CF is brought on by mutations in
the CFTR gene. This mutation causes a serious breakdown in the body's mucus production,
and management system. People with CF create a thick; sticky mucus instead of the thin;
slick fluid that, normally lines, and protects numerous channels in the body. There are serious
repercussions from this abnormal mucus; especially in the lungs where it may obstruct
airways; and serve as a haven for germs (
Kimball
et al.; 2021). This leads to a vicious cycle
of severe; recurring lung infections; which over time may do a great deal of harm. Although
CF is a relatively uncommon illness in the US; it nonetheless affects 30;000 individuals;
making it a major presence. This prevalence emphasises how crucial it is to continue
research, and find efficient therapies to control, and lessen the symptoms of this difficult
illness.
Common Medications
Leading the way in treating the symptoms, and course of CF treatment are a few prominent
drugs. One such medication is ivacaftor; often known as Kalydeco; it is essential in treating
certain genetic abnormalities linked to cystic fibrosis. Another important medicine is
Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor; also marketed as Orkambi; which combines two medications to
increase their efficacy. Furthermore; many CF patients have hope for a better quality of life
because to the combination of Elexacaftor; Tezacaftor; and Ivacaftor; which is marketed
under the brand name Trikafta (Zhu et al.; 2021). By focusing on the disease's fundamental
causes; these drugs represent a significant development in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
Subjective and Objective Findings
The complicated genetic disorder known as CF affects several different systems in the body,
and presents with a wide variety of symptoms and findings. Constitutionally; overall
weakness, and exhaustion are common in patients; they are direct results of the body's
defences against ongoing infections, and other consequences associated with cystic fibrosis.
3
One prominent sign is weight loss, which is often ascribed to malabsorption, a prevalent
problem with CF caused by pancreatic insufficiency impairing digestion. With the
noteworthy exception of nasal polyps, the majority of discoveries made while evaluating the
head, eyes, ears, throat, and mouth (HEENT) of CF patients are usually non-specific to the
illness. Patients with cystic fibrosis often develop these growths in their nasal passages, most
likely as a result of ongoing infection and inflammation.
The effects of CF are mostly felt by the respiratory system. Shortness of breath, wheezing,
and a chronic cough are common symptoms in patients. When the lungs are auscultated,
crackles or wheezes may be heard, which are signs of mucus build-up and infection that are
common in CF lungs. Regarding examinations of the heart, genitourinary system, nervous
system, and throat/mouth, CF usually does not show any particular results. On the other hand,
the gastrointestinal tract and abdomen are severely impacted. Patients who have
malabsorption of nutrients may have poor weight growth even with appropriate ingestion. In
addition to being prevalent, oily, bulky stools and intestinal obstruction are indicators of the
digestive issues related to CF
(Zhu et al., 2021)
. Clubbing of the fingers and toes is a
musculoskeletal symptom of persistent hypoxia. The abnormal transport of chloride over the
epidermis causes an abnormal taste in the integumentary system, and patients often
experience this.
Patients with cystic fibrosis may have respiratory distress on their vital signs, which is a
typical consequence of lung involvement. Monitoring and diagnostic technologies are
essential for managing cystic fibrosis. Because it captures the faulty chloride transport across
the epithelium, the sweat chloride test is still considered the gold standard for diagnosis.
Given the extensive pulmonary involvement in CF, regular screenings for lung health include
lung function tests and chest X-rays. Bronchiectasis, and sinusitis are two more physical
abnormalities that, are often linked to CF. While bronchiectasis reflects chronic lung; damage
brought on by recurrent infections; and inflammation; sinusitis is often the outcome of the
same irregularities in mucus that, affect the lungs.
Nutritional Needs
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Drug-food interactions may greatly affect how well drugs work for people with CF. The
impact of high-fat meals on the absorption of some CF medicines is one noteworthy
interaction. High-fat diets may cause CF patients' drugs to be absorbed more readily; which
might have an impact on how well they work as a treatment. The interaction between
grapefruit, and grapefruit juice, and some CF drugs is another crucial factor to consider.
Components in grapefruit may affect how some drugs are metabolised; changing the strength,
and duration of their effects.
Medication side effects that, affect food habits, and metabolism are also possible with CF
medications. Certain drugs may result in gastrointestinal problems; such nausea, and
diarrhoea; which may have a big effect on digestion, and appetite. For CF patients; these side
effects could make it difficult to keep up a healthy diet. Allergies, and food intolerances are
prevalent among CF patients (Zhu et al.; 2021). A lot of people with CF could have trouble
breaking down lactose, and gluten. As such; it is imperative that, they exercise caution while
making food decisions, and choose options that, are less taxing on their digestive systems. It
could be required to use different feeding techniques in severe instances of CF. It could be
necessary to use enteral feeding; which is often done with a feeding tube; to make sure
patients get enough food, and maintain their general health.
For individuals with CF, therapeutic diets are often advised, especially for those who have
dysphagia. Diets heavy in calories and protein may support people in meeting their nutritional
requirements and overcoming the obstacles their disease presents.
According to Kim et al.
(2019),
p
atients with cystic fibrosis may be offered supplements to treat particular dietary
deficits. Supplementing with pancreatic enzymes is a frequent way to help with digestion; on
the other hand, vitamins A, D, E, and K could be required to be healthy overall. Patients with
CF should be careful while choosing diets since foods heavy in fat and salt might make their
5
condition worse. To promote their health and wellbeing, kids are urged to choose nutrient-
dense, high-calorie foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Use of Nursing
The respiratory and digestive systems are severely impacted by the complicated genetic
disorder known as CF. It is mostly distinguished by the formation of viscous, thick mucus in
the lungs and digestive system, among other organs. To enhance the quality of life for those
who have CF, managing the illness requires a multimodal strategy that combines dietary
modifications and medicines
(
Thorat
et al., 2023)
. Taking medications; like Ivacaftor; is
essential to controlling cystic fibrosis. Ivacaftor is a new drug designed to treat the underlying
genetic defects that, cause cystic fibrosis. It works by increasing the activity of a specific
protein called CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator); which is
necessary to maintain the right proportion of salt to water in many organs. Ivacaftor is a
useful supplement to the therapy regimen since it enhances CFTR activity; which lessens
some of the symptoms, and effects related to that, gene.
Interventions with Nutrition
Nutritional interventions have an equally significant role in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
These medicines target the unique dietary needs, and challenges faced by individuals with
cystic fibrosis.
According to
Hjelm et al. (2023); people who have CF need more energy
since it takes more effort for their bodies to fight infections, and breathe. As such; they often
need a diet that, is high in calories, and rich in protein to maintain growth, and maintain
muscle mass. It is crucial to educate patients, and their caretakers the importance of eating
meals that, include adequate calories, and protein to meet these nutritional demands. Because
CF may make it more difficult for the body to absorb essential nutrients; malnutrition may
ensue. It's critical to routinely look for signs of malnutrition; such as children's delayed
growth; vitamin deficiencies; and weight loss. Healthcare professionals may then provide
6
supplements or change the patient's diet to quickly treat these problems. Moreover; pancreatic
insufficiency affects a large number of CF patients; which complicates their ability to absorb,
and digest lipids, and fat-soluble vitamins. Supplemental enzymes may speed up the
breakdown of fat, and enhance nutritional absorption. To do this; pancreatic enzyme
replacement therapy is often used. To maximise their nutritional status; patients should be
informed that, taking these enzymes with meals; especially those high in fat; is necessary.
Conclusion
Therefore; a comprehensive strategy is needed to treat the inherited illness known as cystic
fibrosis. Drugs such as Ivacaftor provide specific treatment for the underlying genetic
problems; but nutritional therapy is essential for maintaining general health. Patients with CF
should learn how to consume meals high in calories; and protein; and part of their treatment
regimen should include taking enzyme supplements; as directed, and keeping an eye out for
any indications of malnutrition. Healthcare professionals may improve the quality of life, and
long-term results for people with CF by treating both the genetic, and dietary aspects of the
disease.
References
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7
Hjelm, M., Hente, E., Schuler, C. L., Duan, Q., Strong, S., Boat, T., & Filigno, S. (2023).
Education‐related needs for children with cystic fibrosis: Perspectives of US pediatric
care teams.
Pediatric Pulmonology
.
Kim, E., & Lo, A. W. (2019). Venture philanthropy: a case study of the cystic fibrosis
foundation.
Available at SSRN 3376673
.
Kimball, H., Douglas, T., Sanders, M., & Cobham, V. E. (2021). Anxiety in children with
cystic fibrosis and their parents: a systematic review.
Clinical Child and Family
Psychology Review
,
24
, 370-390.
Thorat, T., McGarry, L. J., Jariwala-Parikh, K., Limone, B., Bonafede, M., Chandarana, K., &
Konstan, M. W. (2021). Long-term impact of ivacaftor on healthcare resource
utilization among people with cystic fibrosis in the United States.
Pulmonary
Therapy
,
7
(1), 281-293.
Zhu, Q., Sundstrom, E., & Xu, Y. (2021, December). Better understand rare disease Patients’
needs by analyzing social media data–a case study of cystic fibrosis. In
2021 IEEE
international conference on bioinformatics and biomedicine (BIBM)
(pp. 2618-2621).
IEEE.
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