Cystic Fibrosis Center | Respiratory

Hypertonic Saline Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis: Is It Right for You?

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation funded a study in Australia to find out if inhaling a mist of hypertonic saline twice a day would help people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Hypertonic saline is extra-salty water that is sterile, so there are no germs in it. Because CF airways are known to lack enough salt and water, researchers thought a hypertonic saline mist would help clear the thick mucus from the lungs.

The results of this study were first presented at the 2004 North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference and now have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine with another article on the same topic from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This fact sheet will help you learn about this the Australian study, Please talk with your CF care center team to see if a hypertonic saline treatment should be added to your or your child's routine CF care.

Cleaning Your Acapella Device

For regular acapella device:

  1. Detach mouthpiece.
  2. Soak parts in warm soapy water.
  3. Rinse thoroughly.
  4. Place acapella with mouthpiece end downward on paper towel to drain and dry.

For acapella choice device:

  1. Detach all parts.
  2. Place in top rack of dishwasher or in boiling water for 5 minutes.
  3. Let air dry on papertowel.  

Speak with your clinician to see if you would be a candidate for using your bronchodilator aerosol treatment via acapella.

Respiratory References

Cystic Fibrosis Center