Your CF Care Team: Your Partners in Nutrition

Managing your daily life so that you don't miss your treatments while also taking in enough calories to maintain a healthy weight is not easy. You're not expected to do it alone. Your cystic fibrosis care team is there to help you.

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Talk to Your Care Team

Life is happening 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. When you have questions about your calorie intake or experience symptoms related to your digestion, don't wait to talk your care team until your next appointment. They are a valuable resource you also can reach out to between your visits.

Know your “normal” so that if your lifestyle or eating habits have changed, you can talk to your care team about adjusting your enzymes to prevent diarrhea or constipation.

When on antibiotics, especially IV antibiotics, ask them about eating yogurt or taking probiotics, which may help your body balance the “good” and “bad” bacteria.

If you're experiencing trouble passing your stools, you may be constipated. Don't strain. Talk to your care team about how best to treat your constipation.

Call your care team anytime if:

  • You have not had a bowel movement in more than a day or two.
  • You are not feeling hungry or have no appetite.
  • You have severe stomachaches.
  • You are losing weight.
  • You see any blood in your stool.
  • You are vomiting.

During every care center visit, your care team wants you to tell them about:

  • Your bowel movements.
  • Any stomachaches.
  • Any change in your pattern of digestion or bowel habits.
  • Any information useful for the development or review of a plan to prevent or manage constipation.

At least once a year, during a visit to your care center, you should:

  • Meet with the team dietitian to review your diet, supplemental vitamins and use of enzymes.
  • Set a clear goal regarding your weight or body mass index (BMI).
  • Review your blood levels of vitamins A, D and E, the fat-soluble vitamins that must be taken with your pancreatic enzymes.
  • Have an oral glucose tolerance test to check for CF-related diabetes if you are age 10 or older.
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