Cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder, affects the lungs, digestive system and other organs, causing persistent and repeated lung infections and limiting the ability to breathe over time. The signs and symptoms of CF vary depending on the severity of the disease and can lessen or worsen in a person as time passes.
Table of Contents:
- Cystic Fibrosis and Dehydration
- Can IVs Help CF Patients?
- IV Fluids for Cystic Fibrosis
- Book Your At-Home IV Appointment Today
While there is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis, various treatments are available to help ease the severity of symptoms and reduce complications caused by cystic fibrosis.
Although hospitalization can help relieve symptoms caused by CF, it is not always the most feasible option. Instead, current technology and advances in medicine allow for at-home treatments that can reduce the effects of CF. Specifically, at-home intravenous (IV) therapy from Mobile IV Medics exists as an effective, more convenient and less costly alternative to doctor’s office treatments and hospitalization.
Cystic Fibrosis and Dehydration
Water plays an important role in the proper functioning of the body, helping many bodily systems perform, such as saliva production to aid in swallowing, keeping mucus thin, digesting food, moving waste in the gut and forming blood, among other things. When your body uses or loses more fluids than it receives, this causes dehydration and makes it harder to perform all of its intended natural functions.
Dehydration, which affects various systems within the body, is a serious risk for both children and adults with cystic fibrosis. This is because those with CF have increased sweat production and salt within their sweat. The more a person sweats, the more fluid they need to replenish their body. However, because sweat production lessens the body’s salt levels, the lack of salt can cause those with increased sweat levels not to feel as thirsty as they should after sweating.
The fact that those with CF do not feel as thirsty when they sweat can cause them to not replenish fluid levels during exercise, in hot weather and in other situations where sweat levels increase, leading to dehydration and worsening CF symptoms. Because of the importance of water in the body, dehydration causes many symptoms, including:
- Cramps.
- Headaches.
- Lethargy.
- Fatigue.
- Irritability.
In severe cases, dehydration can cause increased complications like urinary and kidney problems, low blood volume shock, brain swelling and seizures.
Can IVs Help CF Patients?
Due to the increased need for fluid replenishment and antibiotics for those with cystic fibrosis, rehydrating fluids and antibiotics given through IV treatments are often an important part of treating CF symptoms. Intravenous treatments allow rehydration liquids or antibiotics to be administered directly into the veins instead of inhalation or oral administration.
IV fluids and antibiotics are often more effective and work more quickly than other options because IVs allow the drip contents to reach tissue faster and at higher concentrations, making them work faster and stronger. This makes IVs an important part of CF treatments because of their ability to help lessen the severity of everyday symptoms.
If you have cystic fibrosis, it is important to communicate with your doctors to establish a treatment plan. Different aspects of your treatment plan should include routine visits to your CF care doctor, knowledge about medication options and their administration methods, airway clearance techniques and nutrition and fitness plans. Keeping these things in mind helps you be prepared in case of an emergency. If CF symptoms worsen, a plan ensures you know what to do and how to handle the situation.
IV Fluids for Cystic Fibrosis
Traditionally, if CF patients suffered from the effects of their cystic fibrosis, such as through a lung infection, they needed hospitalization to receive IV treatments consisting of fluids and antibiotics. Today, individuals with CF have the option to choose between care that starts in the hospital then moves to home care, or they can remain in the hospital until the completion of their treatment.
Some deciding factors determining eligibility for home care include the severity of the condition, location, availability of family and professional support and personal needs and preferences.
At-home IV therapy is a safe and effective option to treat CF symptoms when patients and caretakers learn the proper preparation and disposal of IV treatment equipment from qualified and experienced nurses or doctors. Various antibiotics administered through IVs can help relieve CF symptoms and rid the body of bacterial infections. It’s important to consult your doctor to discuss which options are best for you and your symptoms before beginning any treatment.
Knowing the option for at-home treatment is available can make dealing with cystic fibrosis and its symptoms a little bit easier. It is important to understand all medical options available and decide what will be most beneficial to you and your specific symptoms. Consider the pros and cons of hospital treatment versus at-home care and decide what you are most comfortable with.
At-home care provides you with the option of recovering from your symptoms in a familiar and comfortable place where you can enjoy homemade meals, comfortable bedding and the support of loved ones. Knowing you have this option can make dealing with difficult symptoms during flare-ups a little bit easier to manage.
Book Your At-Home IV Appointment Today
If you suffer from cystic fibrosis and are considering mobile IV therapy, book an appointment with Mobile IV Medics today! At Mobile IV Medics, we offer various drip treatments specially crafted by our pharmacist with fluids, antioxidants, vitamins, medicines and nutrients to help common symptoms.
At Mobile IV Medics, the prices of our packages are comparable to an ER co-pay and include the cost of the IV drip, registered nurse and our travel. We value making at-home IV therapy a possible, affordable and safe treatment option for you.
Our team of healthcare experts and professionals treat you with high-quality relief as soon as possible by coming directly to where you are. Find an IV drip treatment package that best suits your symptoms, and get started with us today to find some symptom relief!
Sources:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9150331/
- https://www.indi.ie/diseases,-allergies-and-medical-conditions/cystic-fibrosis/781-fluid-and-salt-for-people-with-cystic-fibrosis.html
- https://www.cff.org/managing-cf/antibiotics
- https://www.cff.org/managing-cf/your-treatment-plan
- https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-12/Home%20IVs%20v2%202016.pdf
