In hot weather, what do cystic fibrosis patients need to ingest?

Patients with cystic fibrosis often have issues with sweat gland function, which leads to an excessive loss of sodium and chloride (NaCl) through sweat. In hot weather, this loss can become more pronounced, increasing the risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Therefore, it is crucial for these patients to replace the lost salt.

Ingesting NaCl tablets helps to ensure that their sodium levels remain adequate, particularly during conditions that promote more sweating, such as hot weather. Since cystic fibrosis affects the respiratory and digestive systems and can lead to malabsorption of nutrients, hydration and maintaining electrolyte balance are essential components of their care. This is why the need for NaCl supplementation is particularly important during periods of heat exposure.

While extra water, fruits and vegetables, and protein shakes may also be beneficial for overall health and hydration, they do not specifically address the need for sodium chloride replacement that is critical for this population during hot weather.