IMPORTANCE OF RESPIRATORY CARE

Taking care of our respirator system is very important especially when you have a neuromuscular condition which progressively wastes and weakens the muscles. This is so because it can affect your breathing making it hard for one to breath normally and cause discomfort while coughing.

According to Muscular dystrophy Canada site on respiratory care (http://www.muscle.ca/living-with-muscular-dystrophy/respiratory-care/) these are the symptoms one should look out for to know if you have respiratory complications due to MD:

• Sleeping more often
• Constant fatigue
• Occasional confusion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Muscle twitching that previously did not exist
• Constant or periodic headache
• Significant shortness of breath at rest
• Difficulty sleeping or lying down
• Unconsciousness or difficulty waking up

It is important to keep monitoring yourself and let your doctor know of the changes you feel in your body for proper care and treatment. Self advocacy is key to avoid complications that can become life threatening.

For people living with DMD breathing may become difficult during the day and they will be required to use a ventilator to breath. The lungs become weaker as the condition progresses and preventing infections of the lungs such as pneumonia is vital. It is also advisable to get pneumonia vaccination.

A cough assist can also help people with MD cough well when they have a cold or infection.