|
|
|
Help for Adults with Cystic Fibrosis
August 8, 2009 |
The push is on. Doctors and researchers specializing in cystic fibrosis are doing
all they can to help adults dealing with the genetic disease.
“For what was a pediatrics-only disease many years ago, the number of adult patients
we are seeing is increasing,” says Dr. Luis Faverio, a pediatric pulmonologist.
He is a Medical Director, affiliated with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Active with the CFF center at the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, he says
adult programs are desperately needed. “The estimation is that probably over 40
percent of patients with cystic fibrosis in the United States are over 18 years
of age,” says Dr. Faverio.
Cystic fibrosis is a disease that causes mucus in the body to become thick, which
can build up and cause problems in the lungs and pancreas.
Those diagnosed only live to be about 40 years of age. “That’s why Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation has encouraged for years to develop adult programs for these patients,
because we are seeing more and more,” he adds. There’s no known cure, but researchers
are learning more everyday as they treat this genetic disorder. “The pipeline of
drugs that the foundation is helping to or sponsoring for research is just amazing.”
Until a cure is found, doctors continue to use Cystic Fibrosis Centers and old methods
to help patients both young and old live longer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
