Why Aspiration Is an Invisible Danger in Cystic Fibrosis
Tips to prevent aspiration in CF
If you have cystic fibrosis, here are a few tips from Dr. Huitt about how you can prevent aspiration from occurring:
- Do not consume more than six ounces of liquids (yogurt, soup, smoothies, etc.) per hour and do not consume any liquids three hours before going to bed
- Take your bedtime medication with dinner (with the exception of sleeping medication)
- Avoid consuming products such as caffeine, alcohol, sugary beverages, fatty foods, chocolate, and tomato sauces, as they can worsen silent reflux
- Try to sleep at an elevated position (with the upper body elevated at 30-45 degrees and the knees elevated to some extent)
- Do not sleep on your right side or on your stomach, as it can increase reflux at night
- Keep in mind that there is no medication that can prevent reflux altogether but there are some medications that can help reduce acidity within the stomach
- Remember that only grains, starches, and carbohydrates can help absorb stomach juices to a point where reflux will not be able to enter into the esophagus so easily and be aspirated into the lungs
References
https://www.cff.org/What-is-CF/About-Cystic-Fibrosis/
https://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/2017/12/14/aspiration-risks/
