12 remedies to relieve eczema naturally

The body rest and rejuvenates during the night sleep, but some individuals constantly battle the tides of drowsiness and sleep attacks during waking hours. Such individuals may be suffering from a neurological condition called narcolepsy. This sleep disorder presents unique challenges for those affected. The unexpected sleep attacks can disrupt one’s daily life, including productivity, relationships, and overall well-being. Here are the most common signs, causes, and strategies to support those navigating this condition.

What is narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that disrupts the normal sleep-wake cycle. People with narcolepsy often feel excessively sleepy during the day, struggling to stay awake and alert. These unexpected bouts of sleep can interfere with their normal routine and productivity, making it difficult to concentrate, perform tasks, and engage in social activities. Narcolepsy is a lifelong condition, typically emerging during adolescence or early adulthood.

Narcolepsy Signs

• Unexpected sleep episodes
  Narcolepsy can trigger sudden and uncontrollable sleep episodes, commonly known as sleep attacks. People with narcolepsy may find themselves falling asleep during conversations, while at work or school, while driving, or even during social gatherings. These sudden sleep attacks can be disruptive and potentially hazardous.
• Fragmented sleep
  Apart from this, individuals with narcolepsy may often have difficulty staying asleep at night due to fragmented sleep and insomnia. They may also experience automatic behaviors, where they briefly fall asleep during activities like eating or talking, continuing them without realizing it, or even driving, which can pose a serious risk to one’s life.
• Sleep paralysis
  Sleep paralysis is a condition that brings a temporary loss of muscle control. The condition occurs when one’s brain doesn’t transition smoothly between sleep stages, and one may find it impossible to move. This state may last a few seconds to some minutes and usually passes quickly.
• Muscle weakness (Cataplexy)
  A distinct symptom of narcolepsy is cataplexy, characterized by sudden muscle weakness or loss of muscle control. Strong emotions like laughter, surprise, or anger can trigger these episodes. During a cataplectic episode, individuals may experience temporary paralysis or a weakening of specific muscle groups, sometimes causing them to collapse or struggle to move. Cataplexy can range in severity and significantly impact a person’s quality of life.
• Hallucinations
  People may find these hallucinations confusing and alarming, further contributing to disrupted sleep patterns and overall distress. Hallucinations may be characterized by strong and convincing feelings about something that is not present in reality. These episodes may occur just before falling asleep or waking up. One who experiences sleep paralysis and hallucinations is more likely to be diagnosed with narcolepsy.

These symptoms, however, may not always mean that one is suffering from narcolepsy. Sometimes, they may be caused by other health concerns or lifestyle changes. It’s best to consult a healthcare professional who specializes in sleep disorders. A thorough assessment of one’s signs, healthcare examinations, and family history can help the doctor confirm the diagnosis and give proper and personalized treatment.

Possible causes of narcolepsy

• Brain chemistry
  Recent studies have shown an association of narcolepsy with an imbalance in certain neurotransmitters and chemicals in the brain. A brain chemical called hypocretin governs sleep, and certain brain neurons work together to stabilize one’s sleep-wake cycles. It is believed that a lack of hypocretin throws off the neurotransmitter balance that regulates alertness and sleep.
• Autoimmune disorders
  Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies healthy cells in the body as foreign or harmful and launches an attack against them. This misguided immune response leads to the destruction or dysfunction of healthy tissues and organs. In narcolepsy, one’s immune system is known to attack the hypocretin-containing brain cells.
• Family history
  One’s family history plays a significant role in one’s risk of developing narcolepsy. While it may also affect anyone, about 10 percent of people with the condition had a close relative or family member suffering from the condition.
• Brain injuries
  Any brain injury resulting from accidents or head trauma, or the presence of a tumor, can also significantly increase an individual’s risk of developing narcolepsy. The traumatic impact can disrupt the delicate balance of brain chemistry and interfere with the normal functioning of sleep-wake regulatory systems.

Apart from these, any chronic physiological stress or major hormonal changes like menopause, a sudden switch in one’s lifestyle and sleep patterns, as well as infections, can also trigger one’s condition.

Natural ways to manage narcolepsy

• Consider taking power naps
  Setting aside 20 minutes to an hour during the day to rest can help one to manage sleepiness and also help one’s body to rejuvenate and restore its energy levels. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can help regulate sleep patterns and reduce excessive daytime sleepiness.
• Acupuncture
  While the precise mechanisms behind acupuncture’s effects are still being explored, this ancient practice offers a potential avenue for managing narcolepsy symptoms naturally.
• Lifestyle adjustments
  Making certain lifestyle modifications can have a positive impact on managing narcolepsy. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule and creating a sleep-friendly environment with a cool, dark, and quiet bedroom can enhance sleep quality. Regular physical activity like swimming, walking, dancing, cycling, and yoga can also contribute to better overall sleep, better balance and fitness, and increased wakefulness during the day. It can keep one’s muscles engaged and strengthen them, which usually tend to go limp in those with narcolepsy.
• Avoid caffeine
  Avoid caffeine after 2 PM. Caffeine is a stimulant that heightens one’s awareness, so one’s body may find it difficult to wind down if one has coffee or drinks with caffeine in the evening or at night. It can also negatively affect one’s quality of sleep.

Mind-body techniques, herbal remedies, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and lifestyle alterations offer promising avenues for symptom relief and overall well-being. It is essential to approach natural treatments with caution. Consultation with a healthcare professional or a physical therapist can provide guidance on appropriate exercise routines.

Checking your phone right after waking up, before even brushing your teeth, is probably a normal part of your life. This habit is why smartphones are considered indispensable today, making it important to choose the right gadget and use it well. Doing some research can help you avoid making expensive mistakes and adopting harmful habits that increase your dependence on electronics. So, the next time you buy a smartphone, avoid the following errors:

Mistakes when buying a phone
Choosing form over function
Some smartphones are marketed as the best-looking phones you can find. Such claims can be deceiving, but they can entice you into buying a more expensive phone than you intended. Or you might settle for a smartphone that looks good but does not have the features you need. So, doing your research and checking the features and functionality of the smartphone model before purchasing it is ideal. You can always find a visually appealing phone that also has excellent features.

Choosing curved displays
Another captivating but often misleading feature is a curved display. While some find it attractive, brands can make it seem like smartphones with curved displays have better technology. This claim is only sometimes valid, and curved displays come with their pros and cons. Curved displays are more difficult to grip, and this, along with the flimsier panel, makes the phone likely to slip and get scratched. Accidentally touching the screen becomes more likely here due to the extended display, so if you enjoy gaming, avoid getting a smartphone with a curved display.

Consulting too many people
Family, friends, coworkers, and sales representatives, almost everyone has an opinion on which smartphone is the best and the plans you should buy. When you ask someone for advice, their opinions are likely clouded by their own experiences. You would be the person using your smartphone, so your preferences should guide your decision-making process. You are likely changing your smartphone for multiple reasons, so consider what you like and do not, what you use it for, and why you want a change. Answering all these questions could lead you to the most suitable smartphone for you and avoid letting too many people confuse you. 

Falling for fancy vocabulary
No one understands absolutely everything about technology. Sometimes a technology we believe could be exciting might be ordinary and unnecessary. A phone with vapor cooling chambers is one such example; the feature is a good idea for only a few smartphones. Another misleading factor is the megapixel count. The quality of images captured by the phone camera depends on aspects like the size of the aperture and computational photography algorithms than just the number of megapixels. Similarly, you must have come across the term “peak brightness” of over 1500 nits. It refers to the ability of a small number of pixels that can shine for a short duration. But most modern smartphones, on average, max out at 800 nits. 

Habits to avoid
Using your phone in bed
After the stimulation of the whole day, using the phone in bed can make it harder for your brain to produce melatonin—the sleep hormone that helps you relax. While it can be tempting to lay in bed and scroll through your social media feed, putting your smartphone away at least an hour before bed can help you wind down. This can also reduce eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision, which excessive screentime can trigger. 

Relying on phones to remember key details
Your smartphone, by definition, is brilliant, but it is important not to make yourself completely dependent on the gadget. So, you should use the phone camera for pictures and note apps to remind you about work tasks. But using your phone to prompt family members’ phone numbers, birthdays of loved ones, and even names of coworkers can be a sign of digital amnesia—forgetting information that you expect a gadget to store. This can affect the normal functioning of memory and interfere with your productivity if you cannot access the phone for a while. 

Constantly checking your phone
Texts, alerts, and social media updates constantly grab your attention. Thanks to unlimited phone plans, you are connected to the world throughout the day. However, frequent notifications chip away at your focus. Social media use is directly related to lowering the attention span and tends to erode your attentiveness. Social media can be an excellent outlet, but it can make you feel restless, left out, or envious in the long run. Instead of deleting your account or an app, set aside a few smartphone-free hours every day. Let your family and friends know when you might not be on your phone, and ensure you can still get notifications in emergencies. 

Not cleaning the screen
You probably take a shower every day. If you wear glasses, you might wipe them often. Your home also gets cleaned often. But do you remember when you last cleaned your phone screen? You put it on your face, touch it with your hands, and stow it in a bag or pocket with all sorts of things. This makes your phone the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. The best way to fix this is to use a soft, lint-free fabric and a liquid solution to wipe your smartphone regularly. 

Not choosing the right plans
A good phone can achieve excellence through a perfect phone plan. You can expect a fast connection and unlimited data with a good plan. US Cellular offers some of the best wireless unlimited phone plans with unlimited talk, call, and data, 50GB priority data, full HD streaming, unlimited LTE Data, and 30GB Hotspot access for just $44.99 per connection. US Cellular offers two other plans as part of the Promotional Unlimited—Basic and Everyday—at lower prices and with fewer features. You can also check out US Cellular’s three Unlimited Evolved plans, where the more lines you add, the more you save. So, consider opting for reliable wireless unlimited phone plans to get the most out of your smartphone. 

Collecting stamps is a great passion for many people. Such individuals can spend any amount of money to buy certain stamps and include them in their collections. In fact, there are a small group of stamps that are so rare that their value is in millions of dollars. These stamps contain special historical or geographical significance and are the ultimate collector’s items. In no particular order, here are some such rare, precious, and much-vaunted stamps:

British Guiana 1 Cent Magenta ($11,628,700)
Although the values keep fluctuating, the one-cent “Black on Magenta” of British Guiana from 1856 is widely considered to be the rarest and most valuable stamp out there. The history behind this stamp is fascinating. In 1856, British Guiana, a former colony of the British Empire, needed an extra supply of postage stamps from England. However, the stamps were not arriving immediately. In desperation, the postmaster of British Guiana requested the Official Gazette newspaper to print emergency issues for quick local use. In return, the postmaster received crude-looking stamp designs for one-cent and four-cent denominations; the former was meant for newspapers, while the latter was used for postal correspondence.

This story and the locally-published stamps gained popularity, and their values skyrocketed in the later years, especially after the colony achieved independence from the United Kingdom in May 1966. The rectangular stamp’s design features an image of a sailing ship, the lettering “Black Guiana,” and a message in Latin, “Damus Petimus que Vicissim,” which roughly translates into “We Give and We Seek in Return.”

Mauritius Post Office stamps ($12,790,600)
The Mauritius Post Office stamps are among the most expensive ones in the world. While their resemblance to British stamps from the colonial era is uncanny, their value stems from the fact that they were British stamps created outside of Great Britain during the period. According to many records, there are about 27 examples of Two Penny blue and One Penny red 1847 Mauritius Post Office Stamps worldwide today. About three of the 27 are affixed to Lady Elizabeth Gomm’s “ball covers.” The distinguished woman was known for throwing lavish balls in Mauritius.

The most valuable piece out of the rest is the Bordeaux Cover, which includes Two Penny blue and One Penny red examples affixed to an envelope but not used. In recent years, the stamps have been sold to wealthy buyers at eye-watering prices of €10,027,800 (about $12,790,600 when adjusted for inflation in 2023).

Treskilling Yellow stamp ($4,248,000)
This Swedish stamp from as early as 1855 is arguably the most renowned European-based stamp in the world. The value and sheer elusiveness of this stamp result from a printing error it contains. Because of the error, the stamp’s color is bright yellow instead of green, the usual color assigned to postage stamps in the zone in that period. Today, only one known example of the Treskilling Yellow stamp exists.

Like the other stamps, this one also has an intriguing story. As the story goes, this stamp was first found by a schoolboy and philatelist, Georg Baeckman, when he was sifting through his grandmother’s rubbish bin in 1885. He went on to sell the stamp to a dealer for a lowly 7 Kroner the following year. Over the years, the stamp’s distinct color and alluring design have made it an auction favorite globally. In May 2013, Count Gustaf Douglas, one of the wealthiest people in the world, purchased the stamp for around $2.6 million and has preserved it in his personal collection.

Benjamin Franklin Z Grill ($4,451,000)
Priced at around $3 million, this stamp was “canceled” in the late 1860s by punching them with a steel grill. That created a unique pattern on these stamps and, over the years, has been one of the reasons for their ever-increasing popularity and monetary value. Its association with Benjamin Franklin is the other reason for its vaunted status. There are only two known copies of the one-cent Benjamin Franklin Z Grill in known existence. The first one is permanently locked in the New York Public Library’s Miller Collection, while the Mystic Stamp Company purchased the other for a ludicrous $935,000 way back in 1998.

Sicilian Error of Color ($2,576,600)
The 1859 Sicilian “Error of Color” stamp was originally intended to be orange but was mistakenly printed in blue. Today, there are only two known copies of this rare stamp in existence, making it highly sought-after by collectors due to its significant value.

Both stamps were exhibited at the Manchester Philatelic Exposition in 1899. However, they were separated, and one was later sold as part of the Ferrari collection. In 2011, one of the stamps was sold for €1.8 million, equivalent to about $2,576,600 in inflation-adjusted 2023 dollars.

The Whole Country is Red stamp ($2,307,700)
This stamp is another example of a publishing mistake attaining immortality after decades. Originally, the stamp was made to commemorate the Chinese Cultural Revolution. However, the map in the stamp was deemed inaccurate, which is why the stamp was quickly pulled out from circulation when it was made. However, some copies remained, and they are available for purchase at more than $2 million in today’s day and age.

Apart from these, some other precious stamps are Two Penny Blue ($2,327,400), Alexandria Blue Boy ($2,040,500), Inverted Jenny ($1,631,700), and the Inverted Declaration of Independence ($1,615,400).

A similar type of stamp collection is the Forever Stamps, created by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in 2007. They are non-denominational First Class® postage, meaning that they can be used to mail First Class letters at any postal rate. 100 Forever Stamps for sale are available at many e-stores. Also, one can purchase cheap stamps from Stamps.com if they are looking for reasonably-priced options.

Also, the values listed here are highly dynamic in nature, making these stamps even more lucrative and precious collector’s items.

Our eyes are one of the most complex organs in our body, with about 2 million working parts. They can see 30 to 60 frames per second, and our brains can process the complete images in about 13 milliseconds. To operate with such high precision and speed, every component of our eye needs to be healthy. However, it is uncommon for individuals to pay specific attention to their eye health unless they’re facing an issue.

Six essential vitamins for maintaining eye health
Consuming enough vitamins as part of your daily meal plan benefits your eye and overall health. If you have recently been diagnosed with an eye condition and started increasing the number of vitamins in your food, you may not see a dramatic or sudden improvement in your vision. Having a healthy and nutritious food regime from an early age can ensure that you can maintain your eye health as you age and prevent age-related eye diseases. While our health depends on a range of vitamins, nutrients and minerals, vitamins are more important for eye health. The six essential vitamins for maintaining eye health include:

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for eye health. Also known as retinol, vitamin A is a part of rhodopsin, a protein found in the retina. It aids in maintaining a clear cornea and can also help strengthen the retina, help overall immunity, and prevent eye infections. Regular and long-term consumption of vitamin A can help prevent night blindness, dry eyes, soft cornea, dry tear ducts, and xerophthalmia. The prevalence of vitamin A-related eye diseases is rare in the country as the nutrient is available in food items consumed daily, like fish, eggs, milk, broccoli, eggs, and orange-colored vegetables and fruits.

Vitamin B1
Vitamin B helps proper cell function and is crucial in converting food into energy. Vitamin B can reduce eye sensitivity and delay the development of cataracts. It is crucial for people with diabetes as it can prevent retinopathy; diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of vision loss among people with diabetes. Whole grains, macadamia nuts, pork, tea, coffee, shellfish, rice and fish are important sources of vitamin B1.

Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2, popularly known as riboflavin, is an antioxidant that can help combat oxidative stress in the eye. It can help reduce eye sensitivity and help recover from sore or tired eyes. It can also prevent the quick progression of cataracts and protect the lens from damage. Asparagus, bananas, oranges, nuts, peas, mushrooms, and whole grains are good plant-based sources of vitamin B2. Other main sources of vitamin B2 are cheese, eggs, beef, and organ meat.

Vitamin B3
Niacin, or vitamin B3, is an antioxidant and helps convert food to energy. It helps in preventing any damage to the optic nerve, thus helping avoid glaucoma. It is also crucial to reduce eye pressure. Important food sources of vitamin B3 are red meat, poultry, and fish. Plant-based sources of the nutrient include avocados, green peas, mushrooms, potatoes and bananas. Excessive consumption of B3 can lead to inflammation of the eye, blurred vision, and damage to the macula. Do not take vitamins and supplements without talking to your doctor about the ideal dosage of vitamin B3.  

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is crucial for producing collagen, which helps maintain the form and structure of the cornea and sclera. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects our eyes from any damage caused by free radicals, and can help delay the progress of age-related eye diseases. You can benefit from having the vitamin in combination with other vitamins and essential nutrients. Black currants, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, oranges, strawberries and  potatoes are certain main sources of vitamin C in addition to citrus fruits.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant crucial in maintaining eye health and gradually improving vision. It is best suited to prevent age-related eye diseases and protect the eye from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin E can also help reduce and prevent dark circles around the eyes. Many fruits and vegetables, including avocado, mango, olives, and kiwi, are rich sources of vitamin E. Abalones, salmon, trouts, fish roe, cod, and lobster are also rich in the nutrient. Other sources to consider include almonds, peanuts, pine nuts, hazelnuts, and oils like sunflower, wheatgerm, and almond oils.   

Note that if you want to take supplements for any of the above vitamins, always consult a doctor to know the appropriate dosage. Excess consumption of vitamins can also cause side effects like flatulence and diarrhea and put you at risk for weak bones and fractures. 

Common eye diseases caused by vitamin deficiencies
It is also that vitamin deficiency can directly lead to certain specific eye diseases. Night blindness, dry eyes, clouded vision and a soft cornea can happen if your body does not get adequate vitamin A.  Vitamin A deficiencies can also happen as a side effect of surgery or treatment. In such cases, doctors prescribe supplements to restore the vitamin requirements quickly. Vitamin B deficiency can lead to anemia, and vitamin D deficiency may accelerate AMD.

Treatment for eye diseases

A vitamin-rich food regime alone cannot cure eye disease. It can help to prevent and delay the progression of cataracts and glaucoma. Doctors decide on treatment based on the severity of the disease, the speed at which the disease progresses,  a patient’s age, and overall health condition. Doctors use many painless and quick surgical and non-invasive techniques to screen and detect eye diseases. Given below are some common solutions and approaches to treating eye diseases:

Corrective glasses or contact lenses as a conventional treatment for refractive errors like short sight, long sight and astigmatism
Vision aids for people with partial vision
Oral and injectable prescription treatments, eye ointments and creams to treat redness, swelling, or itchiness caused by infection or injury
Vision therapy for cross-eye Tear duct plugs that prevent drainage of tears
Eye drops or artificial tears to maintain moisture levels in the eye’s outer surface if one if suffering from dry eye syndrome
Lipiflow, which is a procedure that uses heat and pressure to manage dry eyes
Prescription eye drops restore oil levels and manage symptoms of allergies
Eye injections to prevent the formation of leaky blood vessels
LASIK to correct refractive error
Laser treatments to destroy faulty and abnormal blood vessels
Photodynamic therapy
Surgery to treat cataracts

Pulmonary fibrosis is a rare disease that causes scarring in the lung tissues, causing breathing difficulties. On the other hand, Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening, chronic, progressive disease of mucus glands. It primarily affects the respiratory system and digestive systems of young and adults. It can also affect the sweat glands and reproductive system. Both are lung diseases but have very different symptoms. Both diseases are progressive and chronic and eventually lead to fatalities.

Impact of pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) causes lung scarring, making it thicker and less elastic. As a result, patients with PF cannot take in enough oxygen while breathing. The scarring may also affect the air sacs, a lace-like structure that supplies oxygen to the capillaries, absorbs carbon dioxide and releases it during exhalation. Scarring in the air sacs prevents the lungs from expanding, preventing one from taking deep breaths, which directly limits the amount of oxygen that can enter the blood. 

Allergens, side effects of prescription treatments, pollution, and family history, are said to be the causes of pulmonary fibrosis. Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for the disease. However, the symptoms can be managed with treatments and lifestyle changes. And since it is a progressive disease, it mostly leads to fatalities.

Treatment of pulmonary fibrosis
In the absence of a specific cure, doctors use the following methods to manage pulmonary fibrosis systems and to stop its progression:

• Prescription treatments
• Oxygen therapy
• Lung transplant
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Lifestyle modification
• Healthy meal plan

Foods to manage pulmonary fibrosis
A well-balanced, healthy meal plan can help a PF patient to maintain BMI levels, reduce inflammation, ease digestion, and fight infections. Here are some of the best food for pulmonary fibrosis:

Food rich in antioxidants
Food rich in antioxidants can help control inflammation and fight the free radicals in the bodies. Food rich in antioxidants include:

• Leafy green vegetables
• Sweet potatoes
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Tomatoes
• Squash
• Citrus fruits
• Mangos
• Cherries
• Berries
• Green tea
• Sea vegetables

Lean protein
Daily intake of protein can help strengthen the muscles in the respiratory system. It helps a person feel full after a meal and helps maintain healthy BMI levels. Some of the best protein-rich food for lung health are:

• Fatty fish
• Walnuts
• Poultry
• Colorful fruits and vegetables
• Grass-fed lean meat

Immunity building food
A person with PF may already have a weakened immune system. Increased intake of immunity-boosting food can help reduce immunity and improve overall health. Some immunity boosting food include:

• Beets
• Pepper
• Apples
• Kilwi
• Turmeric
• Blueberries
• Kale

Omega-3 fatty foods
The three primary fatty acids of omega-3 fats are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). They are found in cell membranes in the eye, brain, and sperm cells. They are crucial for making hormones that help expand and contract artery walls and regulate blood clotting and inflammation. The human body does not naturally produce omega-3 fatty acids and hence, depends on food and related supplements.

• Chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts
• Flaxseed, canola, and soyabean oil
• Salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna, and herring
• Fortified cereals and yogurts
• Fish oil like cod liver oil, krill oil

Probiotics
Probiotics are particularly beneficial for patients with lung diseases as they contain anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory substances. Probiotics can help fight airway inflammation and lung damage. Avoid probiotics that can cause gas and bloating in case of an acid reflux episode. Probiotics ideal for PF include;

• Cultured vegetables
• Yogurt
• Buttermilk

Apart from eating healthy, keep the body hydrated by drinking water, fruit and vegetable juice, and herbal teas. Avoid processed food, sugary desserts, and carbonated drinks that can promote inflammation.

Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is another life-threatening inherited condition where the mucus glands produce excessive mucus, and the sweat gland produces excessive sweat. The mucus in patients with CF is very thick and accumulates in the lungs and intestines. Excessive sweating causes salt loss and creates an imbalance of minerals. Both cause malnutrition, poor growth, recurring respiratory infection, breathing difficulty and permanent lung damage, leading to death. CF can also cause other complications like

• Sinusitis
• Nasal polyps
• Clubbing or enlargement of fingers and toes
• Pneumothorax – rupture of lung tissue
• Abdominal pain
• Too much gas
• Rectal prolapse
• Liver disease
• Diabetes
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Gallstones

Cystic fibrosis medical treatment
Until recently, cystic fibrosis was diagnosed after symptoms began. With advancements in medical technology, cystic fibrosis can be diagnosed within one month of a child’s birth before symptoms begin to show. Though no cure exists, discoveries have helped control and manage CF symptoms. This has led to an increase in a life span of a person with CF to an average of 50 years.

Gene therapy
Since it is a genetic disease, starting Gene therapy early and fixing or replacing the faulty gene can help manage CF. Doctors may also give the patient an active form of the missing or defective protein.

Prescription treatment
Doctors use a combination of oral, injectable, or intravenously-administered treatments to target gene mutations, considered one of the biggest achievements in treating CF. Other treatments include:

• Antibiotics to prevent and treat lung infection
• Treatments to thin and dilute the mucus
• Anti-inflammatory treatments to reduce swelling in airways
• Stool softeners to prevent constipation
• Bronchodilators and other inhaled to keep airways open
• Oral pancreatic enzymes to improve digestion

Therapies to loosen mucus
Apart from prescription treatments, doctors use multiple therapies and techniques to loosen the mucus in the airways, making it easier for the patient to cough it out. The therapies include:

• Vest therapy
• Specific breathing and coughing techniques
• Use of mechanical devices to blow air into the mucus
• Clapping with cupped hands in the chest to loosen mucus
• Vigorous exercise

Pulmonary rehabilitation
Since it is a chronic condition, doctors plan treatments and therapies that help manage CF’s long-term impact. They include:

• Physical exercise
• Breathing techniques
• Food modification
• Oxygen therapy
• Education for patients and caregivers

Surgery
Doctors may perform surgical and other procedures to manage some of the conditions caused by CF. They may insert a feeding tube to aid digestion. They may also use surgery to remove nasal polyps. Patients may also use a nose or mouth mask while sleeping for better breathing. Bowel blockages may develop in CF, and doctors may perform surgery to remove it. In addition, some patients may need a lung, pancreas, or liver transplant if other treatments are ineffective.