Cystic fibrosis - causes and symptoms of the disease
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic pathology that is inherited and associated with gene mutations. The disease is characterized by disruption of the endocrine glands and vital organs, most often the respiratory and digestive organs are affected. Due to a gene mutation, the structure of proteins changes, the secretion produced by the endocrine glands thickens, and it becomes difficult to remove it from the body, which can cause secondary respiratory diseases. Newborns may develop intestinal obstruction. In young children, symptoms of cyanosis are cough, cyanosis, thick sputum, shortness of breath.
In adults, cystic fibrosis manifests itself through:
- attacks of painful cough;
- viscous, purulent sputum;
- shortness of breath;
- change in the shape of the fingers;
- chronic rhinitis;
- decreased ability to work, general weakness.
Such patients often suffer from pneumonia, bronchiectasis, they are diagnosed with obstructive bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, heart enlargement. In addition to lung disease, cystic fibrosis can affect the liver, biliary tract, pancreas, and gonads.
Diagnosis and treatment of cystic fibrosis in children and adults
To diagnose cystic fibrosis in infants, neonatal screening is performed, blood is taken for analysis and the amount of immunoreactive trypsinogen is determined. If its level exceeds the norm, this may indicate the presence of a disease. To confirm the diagnosis, genetic tests are carried out, prenatal diagnosis can be carried out from the twentieth week of pregnancy, it consists in examining the amniotic fluid.
Also, to make a diagnosis, blood tests are performed, sweat tests, due to which the amount of chlorides in a person's sweat is determined, various research methods are used, such as:
- spirography;
- chest x-ray and computed tomography;
- bronchography;
- bronchoscopy;
- sputum analysis;
- stool analysis
The cost of diagnostic procedures is available and depends on the number and name of studies. There is no universal protocol for the treatment of cystic fibrosis; each individual case requires the selection of an individual therapy regimen, which usually includes:
- taking antibacterial and bronchodilator drugs, mucolytics, vitamins;
- physiotherapeutic procedures - postural drainage and respiratory gymnastics, which helps to get rid of phlegm, the use of laser and ultrasound.
If cystic fibrosis leads to pneumothorax, then qualified surgical care is needed; in the terminal stage of the disease, the patient's condition can be relieved only lung transplant. The cost of surgical intervention, especially transplantation, is quite high, but in Ukraine, lung transplantation is almost unrealistic due to the lack of such experience among doctors, lack of the necessary equipment and difficulties in selecting a donor. Lung transplant operations are successfully performed in many developed countries, including Israel, where the cost of such an operation is much lower than in the USA or Germany.
Cystic fibrosis treatment in Israel, price
Treatment of cystic fibrosis requires an integrated approach and is usually carried out in specialized centers with the necessary equipment and highly qualified doctors. Today, every resident of Ukraine has the opportunity to receive medical care in different countries of the world, including in Israel, where the cost of treatment with high efficiency is the most affordable among most developed countries.
Israeli clinics can provide a comfortable stay for the period of examination, treatment and rehabilitation period, an accurate diagnosis, the use of the newest and most progressive methods of treatment, the best price. The cost of treating cystic fibrosis in Israel depends on the stage of the disease, the need for surgery and other factors.