Cystic fibrosis Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, June 2009.
Answers to questions about cystic fibrosis
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- Can I get pregnant if I have cystic fibrosis (CF), and what are the possible complications?
- Is it safe for me to play sport if I have cystic fibrosis (CF)?
- My child has just been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF). What impact is this going to have on our family and who can I talk to about it?
Can I get pregnant if I have cystic fibrosis (CF), and what are the possible complications?
Many women who have CF can have a successful pregnancy, but you may need more help and support while you're pregnant. CF can cause infertility in men so if your partner has CF, you may need infertility treatment to overcome this problem.
Explanation
If you have CF, your fertility may be slightly decreased. This is because the mucus in your cervix is thicker and drier than usual, making it difficult for sperm to get through and reach the egg. However, you still have a good chance of conceiving naturally.
Men with CF are likely to be infertile due to sperm transport being blocked. If your partner has CF, you may need assistance to have children. You should talk to your CF team about the possible options available to you. Your CF team is a group of health professionals, which include a CF consultant (a doctor who specialises in CF), a CF nurse, a CF dietitian, a CF physiotherapist (a health professional who specialises in movement and mobility), a psychologist and a social worker.
There are a number of things you should consider if you're planning a pregnancy and have CF.
Pregnancy may not be safe if you have very poor lung function, and you may be advised against pregnancy because of the risks involved. Your CF team will be able to discuss the options with you and provide you with more information and advice.
CF is an autosomal recessive disorder. This means you need to inherit two CF genes, one from each parent, to get CF. If both you and your partner are carriers of the CF gene, there is a one in four chance of your child having CF. However, if you have CF and your partner is a carrier for the gene, the chances of your child having CF is two in four.
You can discuss the chances of your child having CF with your CF team, and your partner can be tested to see if he has the CF gene. This can offer you information and reassurance about the outcome of your pregnancy.
It's also important to consider the impact your illness will have on the life of your child and the additional childcare that may be needed to help you look after your child. Your CF team will also be able to talk through this with you.
During your pregnancy it's important that you eat a nutritious, high-calorie diet and take your replacement pancreatic enzymes (chemicals). Your lung function can be affected by your pregnancy, and you may become more breathless in the final stages (third trimester). If you develop a chest infection, see your CF doctor as it's important that this is treated quickly. You should also continue with your physiotherapy treatment throughout your pregnancy.
If you have diabetes, your CF team will check how much insulin therapy you need as your pregnancy progresses. If you don't have diabetes, there is a chance you could develop it during your pregnancy (this is known as gestational diabetes).
Further information
- Cystic Fibrosis Trust
0845 859 1000
www.cftrust.org.uk
Sources
- McMillan JA, Feigin RD, DeAngelis CD, et al. Oski's Pediatrics Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2006:1425-1438
- Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD. Oxford Textbook of Medicine. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005:1428-1438
- Arulkumaran S, Symonds IM, Fowlie A. Oxford Handbook of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004:139-140
- Simon C, Everitt, H, Kendrick T. Oxford Handbook of General Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007:394-395
Is it safe for me to play sport if I have cystic fibrosis (CF)?
Regular exercise can help improve some of your symptoms and is good for your general wellbeing. You should talk to your CF physiotherapist (a health professional who specialises in movement and mobility) about the best types of exercise for you.
Explanation
If you have CF, you should try to take part in regular physical exercise. When combined with chest physiotherapy, exercise can help improve some of your symptoms.
- Regular exercise may help reduce breathing difficulties in the long term by helping to clear mucus from the chest and could improve heart and lung strength.
- Exercise may help maintain bone strength. This is important as you're more likely to develop osteoporosis if you have CF.
- Exercise lifts your mood and can help relieve periods of anxiety. Overall, exercise is good for your general wellbeing, body image and self-confidence.
If you have very severe CF, you may be able to use an additional oxygen supply or nasal ventilation to allow you to exercise.
You should talk to your CF consultant (a doctor who specialises in CF) and CF physiotherapist about the different types of exercise you could do to find out which types would benefit you most.
Further information
- Cystic Fibrosis Trust
0845 859 1000
www.cftrust.org.uk
Sources
- JA McMillan, RD Feigin, CD DeAngelis, MD Jones. Oski's Pediatrics Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2006:1425-1438
- Bradley J, Moran F. Physical training for cystic fibrosis (review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No: CD002768.pub2. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002768.pub2. www.cochrane.org
- Simon C, Everitt, H, Kendrick T. Oxford Handbook of General Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007:394-395
My child has just been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF). What impact is this going to have on our family and who can I talk to about it?
A diagnosis of CF can be difficult for the whole family. It's important that you have support to help you deal with the issues that you may come across.
Explanation
Your CF team will be able to provide help and support. A CF team includes a CF consultant (a doctor who specialises in CF), a CF nurse, a CF dietitian, a CF physiotherapist (a health professional who specialises in movement and mobility), a psychologist and a social worker.
You should also be able to talk to a clinical psychologist, who will be able to help you understand the illness and talk to you about different issues you may come across.
The diagnosis is likely to have a big impact on your family life. Your lifestyle will probably need to change to accommodate your child's treatment programme and any potential illnesses.
Your child may need regular physiotherapy each day to help clear his or her lungs. You will need to help your child with the physiotherapy until he or she is older. This may mean you have to go into your child's school if he or she needs physiotherapy during the school day. Most children can do their own physiotherapy from the age of nine.
Charity organisations can be a useful source of information and support. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust has a support service to provide advice for people with CF and their families.
Further information
- Cystic Fibrosis Trust
0845 859 1000
www.cftrust.org.uk
Sources
- Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD. Oxford Textbook of Medicine. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005:1428-1438
- Physiotherapy. Cystic Fibrosis Trust. www.cftrust.org.uk, accessed 20 October 2008
- What we do. Cystic Fibrosis Trust. www.cftrust.org.uk, accessed 9 September 2008
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: June 2009
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