Understanding Neuromuscular Disorders
WHAT ARE NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS?
Neuromuscular disorders affect the muscles and their direct nervous system control. Many of these conditions can weaken the muscles involved in breathing and coughing, making respiratory health especially important for both children and adults.
Conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), muscular dystrophy (MD), and other neuromuscular diseases may weaken or decondition the muscles that support breathing, including the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and other accessory breathing muscles. As these muscles weaken, it can become harder to take deep breaths or cough effectively.
A weak or ineffective cough can allow mucus to build up in the lungs. Over time, retained secretions may increase the risk of respiratory infections, pneumonia, and hospitalizations. Supporting airway clearance is an important part of respiratory care for people living with neuromuscular disorders.
HFCWO FOR NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS
Neuromuscular patients can benefit from HFCWO by preventing respiratory complications caused by weakened muscles, which limits the ability to cough effectively and clear mucus. HFCWO loosens, thins, and mobilizes secretions from peripheral to central airways, reducing pneumonia risks, preventing infections, and lessening hospitalizations.
BENEFITS OF AIRWAY CLEARANCe
Cough is an effective method of clearing secretions from the larger airways in healthy individuals. However, respiratory muscle impairment leads to difficulty with coughing and clearing secretions, subsequent mucous plugging and pulmonary infection.5 With narrow airways, coughing can have detrimental effects if used inappropriately over an extended period as the primary method of clearing secretions.5
Effective mucus clearance is essential for lung health, and airway disease is a consistent consequence of poor clearance.6 Airway clearance techniques (ACTs) to assist with secretion clearance are widely recommended and can include both mucus-mobilizing techniques and assisted cough techniques.6 Studies recommend that ACTs be used as the primary method of mobilizing secretions from the middle and small airways to the larger airways. Then, effective coughing can be used to clear secretions from the larger airways, thereby preserving the integrity of the larger airways.6
