Cystic fibrosis: Live well while managing your condition

You receive services from doctors with specialty training in lung disease. We are one of approximately 130 centers in the U.S. accredited by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Our cystic fibrosis care teams teach other health care professionals about cystic fibrosis and take part in research to provide better diagnosis and treatments.

When you seek care at the UW Health Cystic Fibrosis Center, we work with you to:

• Educate your family about providing the care and help you need 

• Promote your best health

• Prevent your condition from getting worse 

• Help you thrive in the life you want to live 

The National Institutes of Health recognizes our center as a model of effective and efficient health care for chronic disease.

Our patients enjoy healthy outcomes for lung function that are higher than the national average.

Improving lung and overall health through research 

The cystic fibrosis doctors and scientists at UW Health lead and participate in many research projects and clinical trials. We want to provide better treatments and improve the care you receive.

Learn more

Cystic Fibrosis Center outcomes data

The UW Health Cystic Fibrosis Center is one of approximately 130 care centers across the country accredited by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We work closely with the foundation to continue to improve the care and quality of life of our patients and publicly report our center-specific data to give patients, families and ourselves an opportunity to look for areas of improvement.

More adults with less common symptoms are being diagnosed later in life. You might live with chronic coughing and sinus infections and not be able to gain weight. 

We use a simple sweat test to make a diagnosis. We place two electrodes on your forearm. This causes your sweat glands to make sweat. We check your sweat for high levels of chloride. Your doctor may order additional tests such as blood work and X-rays to confirm the diagnosis.

Complications as you age

You might experience complications related to your cystic fibrosis as you get older. These conditions can include:

• Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes

• Intestinal blockage

• Liver disease

• Nasal polyps 

• Osteoporosis

You need daily treatments and regular care to stay healthy and live well.

Daily treatments may include:

• Airway clearance therapies to loosen mucus and clear it from your airways, such as:

  • Active cycle breathing

  • Autogenic drainage

  • Forced expiration technique

  • Manual chest physiotherapy

  • Positive expiratory pressure

• Exercise

• Medications inhaled into the lungs

• Nutrition therapy, including enzymes and vitamin supplements

Other available treatments include:

• Routine vaccinations

• Fertility treatments

• Lung transplant

For some individuals with advanced disease, lung transplantation might be the next step to help regain health.

Tips for maintaining your health and wellness

You can find a balance between your busy lifestyle and your care. We know that living with cystic fibrosis can be emotionally and physically challenging. Your care team stays by your side to help you feel your best.

Some tips for staying healthy with cystic fibrosis:

• Avoid others with upper respiratory illness

• Complete your physiotherapy exercises

• Contact your clinic if there are changes in your health

• Eat a cystic fibrosis-specific diet high in calories and fat

• Keep yourself hydrated

• Manage your mental health

• Stay active

• Take your prescribed medication

• Talk to your care team about annual flu and pneumonia vaccines

• Visit the Cystic Fibrosis Center regularly throughout the year

• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth when in a health care setting