The Health Integration Center: A Case Study

Nearly 1 in every 30 Americans are a carrier of the recessive gene that leads to CF (About Cystic Fibrosis, n.d.). Although CF is a life-threatening condition, through the advancement of treatments and care, there has been a steady increase in life expectancy and improvement in the quality of life. The current mean age of survival is now 40. Although that does not seem very high, sixty years ago, a child diagnosed with CF did not survive childhood (About Cystic Fibrosis, n.d.). CF is a complex disease, where the types and severity of symptoms can differ widely from person to person. Symptoms may include fatigue, salty-tasting skin, persistent cough with phlegm, wheezing and shortness of breath, lung infections, and poor growth and weight loss (Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors, 2018). Many different factors, such as the age of diagnosis, can affect an individual's health and the course of the

Vertically integrated health care system that I have chosen is the Veterans Administration (VA) it's accountable for a large patient population for military veterans. As stated, The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system with over 1,700 sites of care, serving 8.76 million Veterans each year (VA.GOV). The services that's provided to veterans is health care, rehabilitation, employment, education, home loan guaranties, and life insurance coverage. VA control costs by buying in bulk and control costs by engaging in a deep, single-source relationship with each patient. The Assistant Secretary for Management oversees all resource requirements, development and implementation of agency performance measures,

In 1955, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was formed by mothers who were determined to find a cure for their children who were diagnosed with the disease but were given a small life expectancy. As the years went on life expectancy for people diagnosed with CF increased. In 1965, a four-year-old boy was listening to

     Today, there is no cure for Cystic Fibrosis, but if the disease is found in an individual early enough, the patient can be recovered. About 85 to 90% of patients will have problems absorbing nutrients from their intestines. And because enzymes are lost when diagnosed, enzyme supplements are required to prevent bad nutrition and malnutrition. There are two main body parts that can be cared for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis: The lungs and the chest. Lung problems can also be treated, but not cured. Antibiotics and other drugs may loosen the thick mucus in the lungs, but if it fails, a transplant lung may help to extend life. But about four hundred people die each year while waiting for a lung transplant. Also Chest physical therapy is a technique done by vigorous claps on the back and chest to loosen the thick mucus from the lungs. The average lifespan of an individual with CF is about thirty years.

This genetic disease is found to affect over 30,000 people with additions of nearly 1,000 people diagnosed every year. The prevalence of individuals with cystic fibrosis in the U.S. has decreased and major medical developments have helped to increase the life expectancy of those with the disease now as compared to 10 years ago (MacKenzie 237). The average age of diagnosis is around 6-8 months, whereas roughly two thirds of patients are diagnosed within their first year of birth. Unlike some genetic conditions, cystic fibrosis is not sex linked and as a result, occurs equally as often in men as in women. The severity and variation of symptoms differs from one individual to the next. However, research has found that females with cystic fibrosis have a “shortened life expectancy relative to men” because they “become colonized with certain common CF pathogens earlier than men and show a decreased life expectancy” due to the early onset of respiratory infections (Harness-Brumley 1013). In addition, research suggests that there is a high rate of bone related diseases in co-occurrence with cystic fibrosis. It is found that “individuals with cystic fibrosis fail to demonstrate normal bone calcium accretion” due to insufficient intake and absorption of nutrients (Boyle 455). The multiple factors contributing to bone disease include malnutrition, vitamin and mineral malabsorption, recurrent infections, and lack of exercise” can lead to osteoporosis if left untreated (Boyle

Minimizing contact with germs is a top concern for people with CF. The buildup of mucus in the pancreas can also stop the absorption of food and key nutrients, resulting in malnutrition and poor growth. In the liver, the thick mucus can block the bile duct, causing liver disease. In men, CF can affect their ability to have children. Most people diagnosed with cystic fibrosis today are babies, thanks tonewborn screening programs. More than 75% of children with cystic fibrosis get a diagnosis by age 2. In some cases, people don’t find out they have cystic fibrosis until they’re teens or adults. Parents can also test their babies for cystic fibrosis before they’re born. Cystic fibrosis is a serious disease that can be life-threatening. But it’s different for everyone. Symptoms are mild for some people and severe for others. The good news is that most people with cystic fibrosis now live twice as long as they did 30 years ago. Today, some people are living into their 40s, 50s, or longer. Cystic fibrosis has no

There are many treatments for cystic fibrosis. First treatment the patient can get is air way clearance. Air way clearance help loosen and get rid of the thick mucus that can build up in the lungs. The second treatment they can use is the pancreatic enzyme supplement. These treatment capsules helps improves the absorption of vital nutrients. These supplements are taken with every meal and most

There are many treatments to help with keeping people healthy and extending the life expectancy for this disease. One of the treatments

P., Bousona Garcia, C., & Diaz Martin, J. J. (2008). Treatment compliance with children and adults with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, 7(5), 359–357.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) also knows as (mucoviscidosis) is a single-gene disorders. This disorder is best described as an autosomal recessive of the exocrine glands. The disorder itself can be categorized as either pus- forming or hindering airflow. The responsible gene for this pulmonary disorder has been discovered to the be on the long part of the arm of chromosome 7 (Copstead & Banasik, 2013). Major signs and symptoms of CF will be associated with the gastrointestinal and respiratory system. We are able to diagnose CF though laboratory testing such as arterial blood measurements. Treatments for CF tend to be comprehensive including specialty physicians, nutritionists, physical and respiratory therapists and genetic counselors. Medicare

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disease, explicitly an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, which primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. An estimated 30,000 children and adults in the United States have CF (Song, Chiu, & Yoon, 2012). According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, “In the 1950s, few children with CF lived to attend elementary school”("Cystic Fibrosis Foundation," 2014, p. 1). It is important to recognize the progress that has been made on diagnosing CF, as well as the numerous treatments that have figuratively, and in a sense, literally given a breath of life to those affected by Cystic Fibrosis. The advancement in diagnostic screening at birth and specific presenting symptoms, provide physicians and practitioners the opportunity to examine and aggressively treat CF from an early age, yielding a considerable positive impact on the life expectancy of those with CF. “During the past 3 decades, treatment advances have raised the median predicted survival age in the United States from 25 years (1985), to 37.4 years (2008)”(Song, Chiu, & Yoon, 2012, p. 132).

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system most often. In the United States some 30,000 children and adults have CF. There are approximately 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis diagnosed each year in the US with 70% of patients diagnosed with CF by the age of two, 40% of patients with CF are 18 or older. In the 1950's most children with CF did not survive to attend elementary school, but in 2006 the median age of survival was 37 years (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2007).

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal autosomal recessive disease affecting Canadians (2). CF can affect multiple organs; however, the most fatal symptoms occur in the lung. As of 2013, the median age of survival for CF is roughly 50 years old with treatment (3). However, patient life-span decreases dramatically when treatment options such as antibiotics and enzymes are not administered, and nutritional changes or lung transplants are not made (3). Currently, there is no cure for CF, although current treatments can improve patient outcome.

Imagine living a life in which before the age of one you start to feel sick, as if you have a deep chest cold that just cannot be kicked. However, a trip to the doctor informs you that this “deep chest cold” is no simple cold, but something so much more that will never fully subside. Furthermore, because of it, you are informed you are only expected to live until the age of thirty seven (National Institutes of Health, 2016, November). This is the life of a person with cystic fibrosis. Today I will discuss what cystic fibrosis (CF) is, its causes, signs and symptoms, and disease management. Next, I will discuss medical nutrition therapy of CF, including nutrition diagnoses and nutrition interventions, and lastly supply a one day meal plan for

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that ultimately leads to death. It affects every racial group worldwide, but its prevalence varies from country to country. In those with cystic fibrosis, the lungs and digestive system are primarily affected by the disease. With the new developments in treatment and management, the 50 percent survival rate from the 1970’s has greatly improved, allowing patients to continue to live their lives longer than ever expected in the past. The new developments in prevention of exacerbations, therapy drugs and methods to preserve lung function have done great things to help patients extend their lives. Education is another important aspect of treating cystic fibrosis. For example, more the