Cystic Fibrosis

We help you manage this disease so you can live longer and breathe easier

A genetic disease called cystic fibrosis (CF) causes thick mucus to build up in various part of the body, including the lungs and pancreas. The mucus blocks your airways, causing lung damage and making you susceptible to bacterial infections.

Cystic fibrosis is most often discovered in infancy, though sometimes when children grow a little older.

Children with cystic fibrosis show symptoms such as frequent wheezing and coughing, poor growth, greasy stools or diarrhea and frequent lung infections. Physicians use tests such as chest X-rays, pulmonary function tests and mucus cultures to diagnose the condition.

Overview

Children with cystic fibrosis show symptoms such as frequent wheezing and coughing, poor growth, greasy stools or diarrhea and frequent lung infections. Physicians use tests such as chest X-rays, pulmonary function tests and mucus cultures to diagnose the condition.

IU Health Pulmonology & Respiratory Care at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis is one of only four accredited cystic fibrosis care centers in the state of Indiana. IU Health physicians conduct cystic fibrosis studies that will give you access to the latest clinical trials and advanced treatments.

Your pulmonologists will provide high quality, comprehensive care to address the many facets of cystic fibrosis and assist you in managing symptoms so you can lead an active lifestyle.

Scientists have not yet discovered a cure for cystic fibrosis, but treatments continue to improve steadily. Managing cystic fibrosis requires a comprehensive treatment plan. Physical therapy, medication to reduce mucus, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications can all assist in reducing your symptoms. In addition to seeing a pulmonologist, you may also need to see a gastroenterologist to control and improve digestive problems.

IU Health physicians will give you access to many treatments unavailable anywhere else in the state, including:

  • Antibiotics. Your physicians will supply you with the antibiotics you need to manage your risk of bacterial infections.
  • Physical therapy
  • Respiratory therapy: During respiratory therapy, your ability to breathe will be monitored and improved through various exercises and treatments.
  • New medications. Our physicians will assist you in getting access to some of the latest medical innovations in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
  • Lung transplant. IU Health has the only healthcare system in Indiana to offer lung transplants. Lung transplants can help you if you have severely damaged lungs from cystic fibrosis. While this will remove symptoms of cystic fibrosis from the lungs, the disease will continue to affect your sinuses, digestive tract and reproductive tract.
  • Access to clinical research trials

    Treatment

    IU Health Pulmonology & Respiratory Care at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis is one of only four accredited cystic fibrosis care centers in the state of Indiana. IU Health physicians conduct cystic fibrosis studies that will give you access to the latest clinical trials and advanced treatments.

    Your pulmonologists will provide high quality, comprehensive care to address the many facets of cystic fibrosis and assist you in managing symptoms so you can lead an active lifestyle.

    Scientists have not yet discovered a cure for cystic fibrosis, but treatments continue to improve steadily. Managing cystic fibrosis requires a comprehensive treatment plan. Physical therapy, medication to reduce mucus, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications can all assist in reducing your symptoms. In addition to seeing a pulmonologist, you may also need to see a gastroenterologist to control and improve digestive problems.

    IU Health physicians will give you access to many treatments unavailable anywhere else in the state, including:

    • Antibiotics. Your physicians will supply you with the antibiotics you need to manage your risk of bacterial infections.
    • Physical therapy
    • Respiratory therapy: During respiratory therapy, your ability to breathe will be monitored and improved through various exercises and treatments.
    • New medications. Our physicians will assist you in getting access to some of the latest medical innovations in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
    • Lung transplant. IU Health has the only healthcare system in Indiana to offer lung transplants. Lung transplants can help you if you have severely damaged lungs from cystic fibrosis. While this will remove symptoms of cystic fibrosis from the lungs, the disease will continue to affect your sinuses, digestive tract and reproductive tract.
    • Access to clinical research trials

      Treatments for cystic fibrosis evolve constantly to improve your quality of life and life expectancy. Stay up-to-date on cystic fibrosis through the following websites:

      Resources

      Treatments for cystic fibrosis evolve constantly to improve your quality of life and life expectancy. Stay up-to-date on cystic fibrosis through the following websites:

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