NNPDF Parent to Parent: Respiratory Problems

Why is my child having Respiratory Problems?

From NNPDF Newsletter articles and family interviews.
This page is not intended as medical advice.
Consult with your physician before undertaking any treatment or therapy.

Swallowing difficulties, weak gag reflex, and a weak cough can lead to the buildup of pooling of saliva and mucus in the pharynx, trachea, and perhaps the lungs. Trickling of saliva into the lungs may cause “silent aspiration.

The trachea normally produces mucus to moisten and clean the air before it passes to the lungs. With normal body activity, this mucus is not a problem; but with the inactivity caused by neurological degeneration, the mucus is not reabsorbed or eliminated, and it may end up in the lungs. Also, the walls of the lungs may have become more stiff, causing an increase of fluid in the spaces between the alveoli. The alveoli are little sacs in the lungs where the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen occurs. These increases in fluid cause difficulty in breathing, which results in decreased oxygen flow to the blood and can be very serious. The chest muscles and diaphragm may have become more rigid, preventing the lungs from inflating adequately. Curvature of the spine (scoliosis) also can cause lung function to be restricted.

What Specialist can help us?

A medical doctor who is a pulmonologist (lung specialist) will be able to evaluate and make recommendations. Respiratory Therapy may be needed to:

Apply medication and moisture to the lungs by means of a nebulizer. A nebulizer is a device which turns bronchodilator medication into a mist. The nebulizer is held over the face, and the mist is inhaled through the nose and mouth.
Suction the pharynx and trachea with a suction machine and catheters to remove mucus that has built up.
Apply percussion to the lungs by vigorous clapping or using a vibrating percusser.
Provide postural drainage so that saliva and mucus can drain up and out through the nose and mouth.

A licensed respiratory therapist will administer these therapies and, if needed, will train family members to carry out as many procedures as they can manage.

Do you have an experience that you would like to share? Send us your comments.

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