Respiratory System
The organs of the body which help you breathe. The Respiratory System takes the oxygen from the air we breathe and puts in into the bloodstream. Once oxygen is in the blood, the Heart delivers it to the parts of our bodies that need the oxygen.

Lungs
The actual place in our body where the oxygen is transferred into our blood. The main job of the lungs is to take the right amount of oxygen from the air we breathe in and get rid of the carbon dioxide in our body back into the air we breathe out.

Brain
Tells the lungs when it the body has the right balance of these to gases - oxygen and carbon dioxide.

In CF patients, this is a special process. CF patient's lungs are affected by this disease, and it is very important to keep the lungs healthy so that they can do their job of getting oxygen in the body and removing carbon dioxide. There are several treatments that CF patients can do everyday - sometimes several times a day to help the lungs do their job. The lungs must stay clean and healthy so that they can also fight infections - these infections make it harder to breathe.

Here Are Some Treatments That CF Patients Can Do To Help Their Lungs:

Chest Physical Therapy
Helps keep the airways as free as possible from the icky sticky stuff called mucus. Mucus clogs the airways making you cough and making it harder for you to breathe. This therapy can help your body move air, salt and water through your body and deliver nutrients to help you stay healthy! People like your parents help you with Chest Therapy because they want to help you feel better.

Antibiotics
Friendly, powerful medicine that goes directly into your bloodstream. This medicine helps your body fight bacteria that cause infections in your lungs. There are different kind of medicine and your doctor will give your body the medicine that will work the hardest to make you healthy.

The Vest
Looks like a life jacket vest. This vest fills with air and inflates then it deflates quickly -making it vibrate. This vibration helps shake that icky sticky mucus out of your lungs and airways so you can breathe easier.

The Pack
Fits on your back like a backpack. It taps on your back to move the icky sticky mucus out of your lungs and airways so you can breathe easier.

Also check with your nearest CF Center for help and any questions you or your family might have.