Diploma Thesis THE IMMEDIATE INFLUENCE OF OSTEOPATHIC ...

2.1.3.4. ELECTROLYTE BALANCE
Generally the cause of the disease patterns linked with CF can be found in a
disturbed salt balance on a cellular level.
At the bottom of the clinical picture of cystic fibrosis a severe dysfunction of the
electrolyte transport of the epithelial tissue can be observed. As already mentioned
all organs with exocrine glands are affected. This also includes the salivary and
sudoriferous glands. Due to the defect the salt concentration of the sudor is 2 – 5
times higher than in a healthy person. This fact can be used to diagnose CF by
means of a sweat test. In hot weather, when practicing sports or suffering from a
fever the electrolyte balance can become disturbed quite easily if the patient does not
make sure to supply enough salt and water. This imbalance can be additionally
aggravated by the above mentioned diarrhoea and the loss of salt in the sputum. If
such an imbalance persists for a longer period of time, this can lead to dehydration,
subfebrile temperatures and failure to thrive especially in small children. 25 .
I have observed that in general the administration of isotonic drinks has proven to be
of value not only in cases of increased activity or other sorts of prolonged strain. In
addition, the coughing up of phlegm from the lungs seems to be supported as well.
In CF the patients loose more salt which has to be balanced especially under
circumstances of increased activity or stress.
25 Reinhardt et al., 2001, p.189
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