Cystic fibrosis is a lifestyle disease. Very few people on the West are aware that there are many Russians with CF (cystic fibrosis) who are over 50 and even 60 years old due to their adherence to one medical therapy that was developed and practiced by over 150 Soviet and Russian medical doctors. Since 1960s, these MDs have applied the Buteyko breathing therapy to increase body oxygen levels, and these doctors claim that people with CF can have at least normal (or average) life expectancy if their maintain high (or normal) body O2 content. You will not find such information in any other cystic fibrosis books. Cystic fibrosis life expectancy has been steadily growing for many decades. In late 1930s, most babies with CF died before their first birthday. Later, in the 1950s, CF life expectancy was less than 10 years. Soon after, due to use of various therapies, it increased from 14 years (in the 1980s) up to current 35-37 years. Some researchers, in their cystic fibrosis books, predict that babies born with CF during this century can live up to their 50s. But a group of Russian doctors claim that main symptoms of CF can be defeated. My own experience, in successful elimination of major symptoms of CF in my students, also suggests the same conclusions. These breathing methods address lifestyle factors that influence body O2 and use breathing exercises to increase body oxygenation. The book offers a detailed description of main lifestyle modules that increase body O2 naturally and significantly reduce many symptoms of CF (e.g., coughing, too much mucus, wheezing, and various digestive concerns) within days. How and why can these therapies work? CF is considered a genetic disease. So is asthma, or Down syndrome. Not all genetic diseases are the same. Many of them, CF included, are also lifestyle diseases meaning that lifestyle choices have a direct impact on quality of life (and CF life expectancy). Western medical studies clearly proved that tissue hypoxia (low O2 in cells) creates problems in the work of tiny ionic pumps that transport chemicals (sodium, chlorine and water) across the epithelial layers. This negative effect of hypoxia is present even in healthy people, but more expressed in people with CF due to the presence of the defective CFTR gene. Each and every study that measured respiratory parameters in people with CF found too fast and deep breathing (hyperventilation) in comparison with the medical norm (that is tiny). There are two long-term scenarios due to overbreathing. Either we get low CO2 levels in the blood (this causes spasm of blood vessels and reduced body O2) or we destroy our airways and lungs due to injurious effects of hypocapnia. In any scenario (with and without lung involvement), hyperventilation leads to low O2 levels in cells. Low cellular O2 causes formation of too thick and viscous mucus. Cell hypoxia also suppresses the immune system. Both factors promote growth of pathogens in people with CF in the respiratory and digestive systems, while other organs and body parts are also under physiological and biochemical stress due to low O2 in cells. Other factors, such as chronic mouth breathing and chest breathing, also reduce body O2 and make any treatment of CF less effective. Therefore, the suggested medical therapy, in order to increase CF life span, is to slow down automatic breathing back to the medical norm and increase body O2 naturally. Clinical experience of Buteyko breathing MDs in Russia suggests that results of a simple body O2 test predict cystic fibrosis life expectancy. People with moderate degree of CF usually have only about 15-20 seconds or less for their body oxygen test, while the medical norm is 40 seconds. In terminally ill people (with CF and many other disorders) body O2 is less than 10 seconds. With over 40 seconds for the body O2 test, a person with CF can eliminate all symptoms and have an average life expectancy.

Hodson and Geddes' Cystic Fibrosis provides everything the respiratory clinician, pulmonologist or health professional treating patients needs in a single manageable volume. This international and authoritative work brings together current knowledge and has become established in previous editions as a leading reference in the field. This fourth edition includes a wealth of new information, figures, useful videos, and a companion eBook. The basic science that underlies the disease and its progression is outlined in detail and put into a clinical context. Diagnostic and clinical aspects are covered in depth, as well as promising advances such as gene therapies and other novel molecular based treatments. Patient monitoring and the importance of multidisciplinary care are also emphasized. This edition: Features accessible sections reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the cystic fibrosis care team Contains a chapter written by patients and families about their experiences with the disease Includes expanded coverage of clinical areas, including chapters covering sleep, lung mechanics and the work of breathing, upper airway disease, insulin deficiency and diabetes, bone disease, and sexual and reproductive issues Discusses management both in the hospital and at home Includes a new section on monitoring and discusses the use of databases to improve patient care Covers monitoring in different age groups, exercise testing and the outcomes of clinical trials in these areas Includes chapters devoted to nursing, physiotherapy, psychology, and palliative and spiritual care Throughout, the emphasis is on providing an up-to-date and balanced review of both the clinical and basic science aspects of the subject and reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the cystic fibrosis care team.

"Andy's book will provide hope for those who so desperately need it. These stories of strength and determination are inspiration to keep fighting in our own lives." --Celine Dion "These are tales of warriors who have beaten the odds by making their dreams come true. These are stories that will give you hope. And by buying this book, you will bring us closer to a cure. That is my dream." --Lewis Black "After spending time with cystic fibrosis warriors throughout the country, I've quickly realized they are the toughest and most resilient people I have ever met. The outlook CF warriors have on life is one that everyone should strive to have." --Colton Underwood "These are the stories of CF warriors who refused to succumb to a distressful prognosis, and instead thrived through the power of belief." --Megan Fox

Cystic Fibrosis in the Light of New Research provides the latest research and clinical evidence that will be useful for clinicians, scientists and researchers to further their knowledge around this fascinating condition. The authors have brought along their expertise and wealth of knowledge to produce this book, including the basic science that underlies the disease, the burden of bacterial and viral infections, immunologic aspects of CF, a variety of clinical measurements to predict prognosis and novel therapies including gene therapy. This book will be invaluable and entertaining for anyone who is involved in the care of patients with cystic fibrosis.

Lung Epithelial Biology in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Disease provides a one-stop resource capturing developments in lung epithelial biology related to basic physiology, pathophysiology, and links to human disease. The book provides access to knowledge of molecular and cellular aspects of lung homeostasis and repair, including the molecular basis of lung epithelial intercellular communication and lung epithelial channels and transporters. Also included is coverage of lung epithelial biology as it relates to fluid balance, basic ion/fluid molecular processes, and human disease. Useful to physician and clinical scientists, the contents of this book compile the important and most current findings about the role of epithelial cells in lung disease. Medical and graduate students, postdoctoral and clinical fellows, as well as clinicians interested in the mechanistic basis for lung disease will benefit from the books examination of principles of lung epithelium functions in physiological condition. - Provides a single source of information on lung epithelial junctions and transporters - Discusses of the role of the epithelium in lung homeostasis and disease - Includes capsule summaries of main conclusions as well as highlights of future directions in the field - Covers the mechanistic basis for lung disease for a range of audiences

The diaries of a remarkable young woman who was determined to live a meaningful and happy life despite her struggle with cystic fibrosis and a rare superbug—from age fifteen to her death at the age of twenty-five—the inspiration for the original streaming documentary Salt in My Soul “An exquisitely nuanced chronicle of a terrified but hopeful young woman whose life was beginning and ending, all at once.”—Los Angeles Times Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of three, Mallory Smith grew up to be a determined, talented young woman who inspired others even as she privately raged against her illness. Despite the daily challenges of endless medical treatments and a deep understanding that she’d never lead a normal life, Mallory was determined to “Live Happy,” a mantra she followed until her death. Mallory worked hard to make the most out of the limited time she had, graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University, becoming a cystic fibrosis advocate well known in the CF community, and embarking on a career as a professional writer. Along the way, she cultivated countless intimate friendships and ultimately found love. For more than ten years, Mallory recorded her thoughts and observations about struggles and feelings too personal to share during her life, leaving instructions for her mother to publish her work posthumously. She hoped that her writing would offer insight to those living with, or loving someone with, chronic illness. What emerges is a powerful and inspiring portrait of a brave young woman and blossoming writer who did not allow herself to be defined by disease. Her words offer comfort and hope to readers, even as she herself was facing death. Salt in My Soul is a beautifully crafted, intimate, and poignant tribute to a short life well lived—and a call for all of us to embrace our own lives as fully as possible.