Neuromuscular diseases are rare conditions affecting the nerves that control voluntary or involuntary muscles. This group of diseases may be genetic and present at birth or acquired later in life. Most treatments for neuromuscular disease are aimed at minimizing the symptoms and improving a person’s quality of life rather than seeking a cure. Neuromuscular disease includes among others, MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, MYASTHENIA GRAVIS, and AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Neuromuscular disease includes a broad spectrum of illnesses that may require treatment for relief in breathing.
As one illustration, MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY consists of a more than 30 genetic diseases that lead to weakness and degeneration of skeletal muscles that control movement. In these instances, neuromuscular disease therapy is directed to the part of the body most affected. Breathing symptoms of muscular dystrophy patients may be relieved by exercise, physical therapy and respiratory care including airway clearance techniques that involve deep breathing and coughing.
In the case of MYASTHENIA GRAVIS, involuntary muscles are characteristically weak, usually during activity. Treating this particular neuromuscular disease is also aimed at relieving respiratory problems since the muscles that control swallowing and breathing are affected. Respiratory therapy may become very important to aid in treatment.
ALS is characterized by progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, which leads to difficulty in swallowing. As the disease progresses, respiratory care may be part of ALS therapy.
In each of these instances, lung clearance can be important therapy. The Med Systems Fluid Flo® 2500 pneumatic percussor and Electro Flo® 5000 airway clearance device provide superior lung clearance for neuromuscular disease treatments. The Fluid Flo® 2500 series percussor is a workhorse for hospitals across America since 1982, while the mobile Electro Flo® 5000 airway clearance device provides a more convenient way for individuals to treat neuromuscular disease at home or away.
For more information about neuromuscular disease, see the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s website at www.mda.org, as well as the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America at www.myasthenia.org, and the ALS Association at www.alsa.org.