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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Respiratory muscle weakness
Answered by
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Respiratory muscle weakness
by kazzaz, Aug 31, 2004 12:00AM
I have been told may have respiratory muscle weakness and upper airway dysfunction. What disease process would this suggest?
Could it be related to Lupus?
Could it be related to Lupus?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Sep 09, 2004 12:00AM
, Sep 09, 2004 12:00AM
It is very unlikely that this is related to Lupus.
It is very uncommon for muscle weakness to effect only the respiratory muscles. Usually other muscles are also effected. The only exception would be the diaphragm being paralyzed or weakened. Therefore respiratory muscle weakness generally means weakness of the accessory muscles that are used for breathing. These are the muscles in the neck and shoulders and in between the ribs. If this is the problem that your doctor thinks you are having, you should see a neurologist. This is the type of specialist to determine if you have a more generalized muscle problem that could also be effecting your other muscles.
Upper airway dysfunction is seldom related to respiratory muscle weakness. The most common cause of this is vocal cord dysfunction (VCD). This is a condition that can mimic asthma. However, VCD is not helped by asthma medicines. While inhaling the vocal cords should open to let air into the lungs. With VCD the vocal cords close together during inhalation. This makes it difficult for air to get into the lungs. A lot of the same things that trigger asthma can trigger VCD including upper respiratory infections, fumes, odors, reflux, cigarette smoke, singing, emotional upset, postnasal drip and exercise. Sometimes the trigger is not known. These attacks are also often seen with panic attacks. Testing needs to be done while you are having symptoms. Breathing tests may be normal, but the “breathing in” or inspiratory part, also called an inspiratory flow volume loop, will show little airflow while you are inhaling. A laryngoscopy is a procedure done by a specialized doctor using a small camera at the end of a flexible tube to see how your vocal cords open and close. VCD is treated by a speech therapist that will instruct you in open throat breathing techniques. Counseling can help you identify and deal positively with chronic stress, which may be an underlying factor in VCD. Please read our Vocal Cord Dysfunction MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/vocal.html for more information. It is important for you to be evaluated by a doctor to determine the diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
It is very uncommon for muscle weakness to effect only the respiratory muscles. Usually other muscles are also effected. The only exception would be the diaphragm being paralyzed or weakened. Therefore respiratory muscle weakness generally means weakness of the accessory muscles that are used for breathing. These are the muscles in the neck and shoulders and in between the ribs. If this is the problem that your doctor thinks you are having, you should see a neurologist. This is the type of specialist to determine if you have a more generalized muscle problem that could also be effecting your other muscles.
Upper airway dysfunction is seldom related to respiratory muscle weakness. The most common cause of this is vocal cord dysfunction (VCD). This is a condition that can mimic asthma. However, VCD is not helped by asthma medicines. While inhaling the vocal cords should open to let air into the lungs. With VCD the vocal cords close together during inhalation. This makes it difficult for air to get into the lungs. A lot of the same things that trigger asthma can trigger VCD including upper respiratory infections, fumes, odors, reflux, cigarette smoke, singing, emotional upset, postnasal drip and exercise. Sometimes the trigger is not known. These attacks are also often seen with panic attacks. Testing needs to be done while you are having symptoms. Breathing tests may be normal, but the “breathing in” or inspiratory part, also called an inspiratory flow volume loop, will show little airflow while you are inhaling. A laryngoscopy is a procedure done by a specialized doctor using a small camera at the end of a flexible tube to see how your vocal cords open and close. VCD is treated by a speech therapist that will instruct you in open throat breathing techniques. Counseling can help you identify and deal positively with chronic stress, which may be an underlying factor in VCD. Please read our Vocal Cord Dysfunction MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/vocal.html for more information. It is important for you to be evaluated by a doctor to determine the diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Member Comments (1)
by naema, Dec 29, 2008 10:13PM
A related discussion, respiratory muscle weakness was started.
