BREATHE EASY
Respiratory Care in Neuromuscular Disorders

 
Updated 04/2010

Respiratory health is a vital issue for children and adults who have neuromuscular diseases. These diseases progressively weaken muscles, sometimes including those you use in breathing and coughing. Weak respiratory muscles may eventually lead to respiratory failure, a frequent cause of death in many neuromuscular disorders.

Fortunately, today, expert physicians such as those at MDA clinics know a great deal about treating the respiratory effects of neuromuscular diseases. This booklet will help you understand how to manage your respiratory health and intervene before it reaches a crisis level, under the direction of your health care team.

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View the booklet in this Web page

Para el folleto en español:
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Vea el folleto dentro de esta página Web


Contents:
  • Dear Friends
  • Introduction
  • Neuromuscular Diseases and Breathing
  • Respiratory Evaluations
    • Pulmonary Function Tests
  • Prevention
    • Symptoms of Chronic Underventilation
  • Respiratory Treatments
  • Assisted Ventilation
    • Comparison: Noninvasive & Invasive Assisted Ventilation
    • Respiratory Care in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
    • Respiratory Care in ALS
  • Quality of Life
    • Advice from a Veteran Vent User
  • Resources

Additional information about the diseases in MDA's program and locating an MDA clinic is provided elsewhere on this site.

“Breathtaking Metamorphosis”
by Erin Brady Worsham of Nashville, Tenn., depicts her newfound freedom as a result of using a ventilator for breathing assistance. Worsham received a diagnosis of ALS in 1994 and underwent a tracheostomy in 1997. Worsham creates vibrant computer art, and “Breathtaking Metamorphosis” is one of her pieces in the MDA Art Collection.