CF Awareness in Huntington, WV
My name is Kate Hannon and I am currently a student at Triad Tech School of Massage Therapy. Education is important in all areas, especially when it comes to health. Please take time to browse thru this site and the paper information regarding Cystic Fibrosis and the benefits of Massage Therapy for a person with this condition. If you have further questions or need in touch with a medical professional, call Triad Tech at (304) 781-8324.
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Quick Facts About CF
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What is CF and how is it contracted?
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Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting more than 30,000 children and adults in the United States.
There are about 1,000 new cases each year and most are diagnosed by the age of two. One in 31 Americans-more than 10 million people-is an unknowing symptomless carrier of the defective CF gene. An individual must inherit two defective copies of the CF gene-one from each parent to have CF. The life expectancy of a person with CF has doubled within the last 30 years. Signs and Symptoms of CF
•Thick, viscous mucus secretions in the lungs
•Changes in color and amount of material coughed up from lungs called sputum •Chronic cough, possibly with blood streaking •Wheezing •Bronchitis •Chronic sinusitis •Asthma •Nasal polyps (fleshy growths inside the nose) •Weight loss, failure to thrive in infants, abdominal swelling •Excessive salt in sweat, dehydration •Failure of newborn to pass stool •Abdominal pain, flatulence •Fatigue •Greasy, smelly feces •Severe constipation •Infertility is common in males and females, though more frequently in males •Intestinal blocking, especially in newborns |
Cystic Fibrosis is a chronic, progressive and frequently fatal genetic disease of the glands that produce or secrete sweat and mucus. Cystic Fibrosis is caused by inherited genes. For a child to have CF, they must have two abnormal genes- one from each parent.
Body Parts Affected & Other Complications from CF
•There are three main parts of the body affected by Cystic Fibrosis. The parts affected are as follows: lungs, digestive system (specifically the pancreas) and sweat glands.
•There are some other common complications for those with CF. These include CFRD, which stands for Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes, which is a special form of diabetes. Also included in these common complications are sinus lung infection, heartburn (or GERD), which stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and bone disease. |
Classifications of Cystic Fibrosis
•There are six classifications for Cystic Fibrosis. The classifications are broken down into two groups, classic or typical CF and nonclassic or atypical CF.
•In Class 1, CFTR, which stands for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, is not synthesized.
•For Class 2, CFTR is synthesized, but in an abnormal form, which fails to become released from the cellular endoplasmic reticulum.
•Class 3, CFTR is synthesized and is transported in the cell, but there is disruption in its activation and regulation at the cell membrane.
•For the nonclassic or atypical CF, there are also three stages for it.
•In the Class 4, CFTR is synthesized and is expressed at the cell membrane, but chloride conductance is reduced.
•For Class 5 stage, CFTR synthesis or processing is partly defective.
•Finally for Class 6 stage, CFTR is synthesized, but there is impaired conductance of ions other than chloride.
Treatments Available for Cystic Fibrosis
•People may wonder if CF is curable. It is not curable; however, it is treatable. •Some of the treatments available for somebody with CF include the following: drug therapies (i.e. decongestants; corticosteroids); surgical procedures are also available, such as lung transplants. •There are also complementary and alternative therapies, which include nutritional supplements, herbs, acupuncture and massage therapy. Resources and More Information: For more information regarding Cystic Fibrosis and the benefits Massage Therapy offers, please contact the CF Foundation at 6931 Arlington Rd Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814. The phone number is (301) 951-4422 or 1-800-344-4823. You may also ask to be put in touch with your local CF chapter and request some information for further understanding. If you would like to see the list of CF chapters and care centers in the United States, do not hesitate to ask. Kate Hannon [email protected] |
Do people with CF benefit from massage?
People wonder if there is a benefit for somebody with CF to receive massage therapy as part of their treatment. It has been shown there are benefits of a person with CF receiving massage therapy. Some benefits are as follows: •Easier breathing…this comes when the therapist concentrates on the muscles associated with respiration. •In addition to helping with the breathing, massage therapy is also beneficial in helping to drain the viscid mucus from lungs and increase blood flow. This is done by the therapist using broad strokes on the respiratory muscles and on the back. •In addition to massaging the respiratory muscles and back, the massage therapist may also stretch the intercostals by placing the 2nd thru 4th fingers in the intercostal spaces and rhythmically apply inward pressure during expiration. •Once the client is supine, the therapist will use repetitive vibratory strokes on the chest. Cupping, tapping and hacking strokes should be used on the chest to help loosen the mucus. Provide the client with something to spit in and dispose properly. •Note to massage therapists: Remember that these clients are prone to respiratory infections. Reschedule if you are sick or they happen to be sick. |