What are the specific benefits of exercise for the CF patient?
Exercise helps mobilize the mucus prior to chest therapy and, in so doing, maximizes the benefit of the chest therapy. However, it is important to remember that exercise should not be considered a substitute. Sometimes, a patient who exercises regularly and has normal lung function may be able to decrease his or her chest therapy, but deciding to do so should always be discussed thoroughly with the patient's health care providers. Medications Human DNase Human DNase, also known as recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase) or dornase alfa, is a new therapy that loosens the mucus in the lungs. It works by cleaving the DNA in the airway's secretions, making it less viscous and easier to clear. RhDNase is administered daily, usually in aerosol form. It's an expensive therapy and at this time is considered only a supplemental, experimental therapy for patients with moderate to severe disease. Usually, only patients who are older than five years old and with an FVC greater than
