Cystic Fibrosis is a hereditary disease affecting numerous babies each year irrespective of gender, race, or individual habits of the parents. The disease has no cure, the patients are vulnerable to multiple complications, and the life expectancy decreases considerably. 

Learn how the new kaftrio treatment, popularly known as Trikafta treatment in the U.S, can increase patients’ life expectancy. 

Cystic Fibrosis (CF)- An Overview

There is a common misconception that CF affects more males than females and that children affected by the disease die early. CF is a hereditary disease. If both parents are carriers of the disease:

  • There is a 25% chance that the child will be affected by CF
  • There is a 25% chance that the child is free of the defective gene 
  • There is a 50% chance that the child will be a carrier of CF

Carriers are individuals who possess the defective gene but do not suffer from the disease. Quite often, the disease goes unnoticed in carriers until it gets clinically diagnosed.  

A defective gene in chromosome 7 causes malfunctions in proteins responsible for producing salt and water inside the body. CF is normally diagnosed at birth nowadays. Adults are diagnosed through routine checkups.

Symptoms and Effects of Cystic Fibrosis

CF affects the lungs, liver, sex organs, and the pancreas predominantly. The common symptoms and effects of the disease are:

  • Poor growth and weight gain irrespective of appetite
  • Infertility or difficulty in getting pregnant
  • Frequent cough and cold with mucus thicker than normal
  • Bowel movement difficulties
  • Easy exposure to pneumonia and bronchitis
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Salty skin
  • Irregular menstrual cycles
  • Digestive problems

Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis has no cure and patients are susceptible to infections easily. This affects life expectancy and the quality of life led by patients.

Usual treatments are:

  • Routine thinning or drainage of thick mucus 
  • Inhalers and other respiratory enhancers
  • Medicines to prevent intestinal and lung blockages
  • Regular flu shots
  • Little to no exposure to individuals affected by common cold or flu
  • Prevention from dehydration
  • Supplementary nourishment
  • Electric chest clapper 
  • Kaftrio Treatment

A lung transplant may be the final option, but it is not the cure. This is because a defective gene causes CF and a new lung will only put aside the disease for now. Hence, the new lung is also prone to the disease.

Kaftrio Treatment

Unlike other treatments, Kaftrio treatment guarantees an extended life for patients suffering from CF. Here is everything you should know about the new treatment popularly known as Trikafta treatment in the U.S

Kaftrio treatment, on the other hand, assists the DNA in making proteins that will balance the salt and water level in the patients’ cells, treating the root cause of the disease.

  • Kaftrio is a drug that should be consumed in appropriate doses at appropriate intervals as prescribed by your doctor.
  • The majority of patients above the age of 12 have shown positive results after consumption.
  • Medicine consisting of ivacaftor should also be consumed 
  • It is effective only on people with F508del CFTR mutation
  • Studies have shown that the life expectancy of patients increases considerably along with quality

Side Effects

There is no treatment without side effects. Few side effects of Kaftrio that affects about 1 out of 10 are:

  • Diarrhea
  • Allergies that can get serious
  • Respiratory tract infection, especially nose and throat
  • Headache

It is entirely up to your doctor and you to choose between Kaftrio or Trikafta depending upon the medicine and price availability as both drugs are the same in essence. 

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Ashley completed her degree with nutrition as her major. She loves sharing her knowledge with others and playing with words. After struggling for almost a year to find a job that could make her feel lively, she ended up as a freelance writer. Ashley writes health-related blogs and articles. She makes sure that her works always stand unique and are useful for everyone. Ashley is also a YouTuber who shares health-related videos. She knows the value of the right information and how it can be beneficial to others. Therefore, her only motto is to provide accurate information. If Ashley sounds like that neighbor who you can ask for health tips, take a look at her works.