While there may be no current cure for cystic fibrosis, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to manage the condition. There are methods that can be easily done at home, in order to create a more comfortable environment for you to live in. For those who do suffer from the discomforts that cystic fibrosis presents, even the smallest adjustment to your lifestyle can make the greatest impact over time, such as:

1. Sodium chloride
Either injected or more commonly ingested, sodium chloride is the most well known way to help treat the symptoms of cystic fibrosis. However, the following are foods that you can find at the nearest supermarket, which include sodium chloride. Ingesting these foods on a regular basis may minimize certain symptoms in managing CF:

• Tomatoes
• Lettuce
• Rye
• Celery
• Seaweed
• Olives
• Leafy Vegetables

2. Lifestyle adjustments
Aside from foods that contain sodium chloride, also known more commonly and simply as salt, there are other dietary changes that can be made to lessen the extremity of symptoms. Other dietary adjustments that help when done alongside your typical cystic fibrosis treatments include:

• Regular exercise
• Dietary supplements
• Eating foods that are whole and high in calories
• Making eating a priority by developing a routine

3. Maintaining a healthy weight
Those with cystic fibrosis, no matter where they are with their cystic fibrosis treatments, find it difficult to eat as much as they are needing to. Due to the fact that one of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis is difficulty in gaining weight, it is necessary for those with CF to consume more than average portions and to even eat more often than others in their age group. While it may be as simple as developing the discipline of making time to eat for adults, for children and teens with CF, it may be more of a challenge to do so. That’s why it is up to the parents to help their children keep on their routine until it no longer feels as if they are “forcing” themselves to eat.

4. Staying active
Why is exercise so important for those with CF? Aside from cystic fibrosis medications, exercise is a key component for anyone to live a happier and healthier lifestyle. Of course, it may be even more important for those who have a condition to stay active. Some reasons why exercise is key to integrate into your lifestyle, as someone who is managing CF:

• Improve strength of heart and lungs
• Helps to release mucus build-up
• Increases muscle and bone strength
• Healthy weight management
• Improves mood and energy, which increases appetite

5. Supplements
Always consult your doctor before taking supplements for a condition, especially if you are already taking cystic fibrosis medications. With that being said, there may be certain supplements that can help alleviate symptoms when taken everyday with a balance of diet and exercise:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin D
• B-Vitamins