Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Cystic Fibrosis Patients - Essay Example

"Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Cystic Fibrosis Patients" is a great example of a paper on the respiratory system. The non-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (non-COPD) disease selected for scrutiny in this exercise is cystic fibrosis (CF). This refers to a degenerative disorder affecting recessive autosomes, resulting in anomalous epithelial ion transportation (AACPR, 2010). Consequently, excessively viscous mucus is formed along the respiratory tract, impairing pancreatic enzymes’ secretion. A patient suffering from CF may, therefore, depict nutrition deficiency symptoms due to insufficient absorption of nutrients, poor dietetics, and other catabolic aspects. In regard to respiratory problems, CF patients may experience obstruction of airways with time, recurrent infections of the respiratory tract, and hyperinflation, among other symptoms. Pulmonary rehabilitation therapy for CF patients, which encompasses disease management efforts such as exercise and adherence to a given nutritional regimen, varies on the basis of a patient’s symptoms.

Suitability of Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Pulmonary rehabilitation is suitable for cystic fibrosis patients, especially during the early stages following diagnosis. This is because; the advanced nature of CF medical management, evident in this form of rehabilitation has led to an increment in survival rates of the patients, enabling them to reach adulthood. For instance, statistics show that 80% of CF patients reach the median age of about 36.9 years (Courtney et al., 2007). For this reason, the significance of pulmonary rehabilitation for CF patients increases with disease progression, as functional limitations and symptoms become pervasive. Rehabilitation and exercise training is highly beneficial since they foster endurance, aerobic fitness, increased muscle mass and strength, as well as, overall improvement of life quality.

The distinction between Pulmonary Rehabilitation for this Group and Standard COPDs

As mentioned briefly in the introduction, therapy for CF patients is individualized to the specific patient’s requirements. Interventions could include regular exercise, increased physical activity, nutrition maintenance, supplementation of vitamins and pancreatic enzymes, inhalation of DNase to lower viscosity of mucus, antibiotic-based therapy, and aggressive management strategies to manage symptom exacerbation (Courtney et al., 2007). While the above therapy components may be common to other COPDs, exercise tolerance and maintenance of stability in pulmonary function are particularly crucial for CF patients. Additionally, these patients have to cultivate and maintain a close partnership with health care providers, in order to sustain long-term exercise and education regarding the management of CF. It is also crucial for CF patients to understand the rationale, significance, and appropriate methods of guaranteeing constant airway clearance. Other areas of emphasis in pulmonary rehabilitation of CF patients include learning how to pace breathing and conserve energy, as well as, strategies of remaining active (AACPR, 2010).

Difficulties Faced in Treatment of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis and Precautions Taken

One of the principal challenges in managing CF is that of predicting exercise tolerance in patients, hence determining when to go slightly slower. This can be overcome by using a test of cardiovascular, ventilation, and bodily conditioning limitations to optimal exercise. This test is referred to as a cardiopulmonary exercise examination. The other challenge is hygiene maintenance since CF patients’ surroundings must be free of contaminants to avoid cross-infection with antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This can be overcome by paying close attention to rigorous hygiene practices like wearing protective masks and proper handwashing. Finally, nutrition management poses a significant challenge, because CF patients must have stable growth as well as weight. This can be guaranteed by constantly monitoring protein and caloric intake, and adjusting this based on the patient’s exercise regimen (AACPR, 2010).  

Conclusion

The objectives of exercise training and rehabilitation in CF patients include maintenance and optimization of muscle strength, patient endurance, and functional capacity thus guaranteeing high quality of life. Even though therapy must be tailored to a patient’s tolerance and disease severity, pulmonary rehabilitation is crucial to CF patients and greatly increases their functional capacity.

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