7 Most Common Respiratory Diseases – Symptoms and Treatment
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a complex respiratory disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. According to Dr. Meyer, “patients develop abnormally dilated bronchial tubes. This allows mucus to pool, causing frequent respiratory tract infections, wheezing and shortness of breath”.
More than 30,000 children and adults in the United States and 70,000 worldwide suffer from this genetic condition, according to data provided by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Symptoms: very salty-tasting skin, chronic coughing, recurrent lung infections such as bronchitis and poor growth or poor weight gain, especially in the case of children.
Treatment: There is no cure for cystic fibrosis, but it can be managed through a special nutrition and fitness plan, specific medication and various air clearance therapies.
