Lewis H. Walker, MD, Cystic Fibrosis Center

Treatment depends on the stage of the disease and which organs are involved. Most therapies are designed to clear the lungs of the thick mucus to make breathing easier, minimize the bacteria that cause respiratory infections, and provide the missing digestive enzymes for food absorption.

We help patients develop a healthy, high-calorie diet supplemented with vitamins, and usually medications that contain pancreatic enzymes to help aid food absorption. If a patient requires daily respiratory therapy, we train parents or caretakers to perform vigorous percussions on the back and chest to dislodge thick mucus from the lungs.

Some patients may also benefit from lung and liver transplants, as well as stronger antibiotics and medications that thin mucus. Our goal is to improve treatment and quality of life for children and adults affected by CF.