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International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations

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Respiratory Care

Due to the weakening of muscles that occurs as the disease progresses, breathing and respiratory functions of people living with ALS/MND will become affected.

Breathing is how the body obtains oxygen and how it rids carbon dioxide. Two muscle types are involved in the process of breathing: the intercostals and the diaphragm. When the respiratory muscles weaken, breathing becomes shallow and less air enters the lungs. This can impact the body as a whole as less oxygen is available for the body to use and there could be potential carbon dioxide retention. Shallow breathing can also cause strains to the neck and shoulders as a person may use the muscles of these areas to help deepen their breath. The effects of respiratory muscle weakness can include shortness of breath, difficulty speaking or eating for long periods, sleep disturbances, morning headache, muscle strains, and overall fatigue.

When a person living with ALS/MND experiences symptoms of respiratory muscle weakness, they can access their multidisciplinary healthcare team for support. The multidisciplinary healthcare team for supporting respiratory could include:

  • Pulmonologist
  • Respiratory Therapist
  • General practitioner
  • Neurologist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Speech-language pathologist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Dietitian
  • Social worker
  • Psychiatrist

These members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team can work to support the many aspects of respiratory function and care for an individual living with ALS/MND. Additionally, a person may have to consider using aids and equipment to support respiratory function, such as a ventilator.

People living with ALS/MND can manage respiratory care early on using non-invasive ventilation. This method is used to support a person’s own breathing via nose or face mask. It provides additional air flow to your own. Non-invasive ventilators should be considered early on to support and maintain respiratory care whereas tracheostomy ventilation is considered as the disease progresses and respiratory function declines. The multidisciplinary healthcare team can discuss ventilation options and help in making the best decision based on an individual’s own needs at the time and their symptoms.

For more information on respiratory care and support, refer to the resources provided below.

Click on the icon below to visit our playlist of videos related to Respiratory Care.

The following are resources from Members of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations on the topic of Respiratory Care.

Addressing Respiratory Changes in ALS

This extensive resource is provided by the ALS Association (ALSA) for people with ALS/MND and caregivers. It is a great starting spot for an individual who has recently been diagnosed with ALS/MND. There is information on what to expect regarding breathing and disease progression, managing breathing with ALS/MND, and finding information about the multidisciplinary healthcare team for respiratory care. There are videos throughout this resource from healthcare professionals to further discuss breathing support and respiratory care. This page also supplies additional resources that may be beneficial for people searching for more information for respiratory care with ALS/MND.

https://www.als.org/navigating-als/living-with-als/therapies-care/addressing-respiratory-changes

Language: English
Subject Areas: Respiratory Care, Breathing Support, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, For People with ALS/MND, For CALS

Breathing and MND: Introduction

MND Australia provides a short fact sheet in their “Living Better for Longer” resource series for newly diagnosed people with ALS/MND. This resource discusses how breathing may be affected by ALS/MND disease progression and what to expect.

https://www.mndaust.asn.au/Get-informed/Information-resources/Living_better_for_longer/WEB-MND-Australia-Fact-Sheet-EB5-Breathing-and-MND.aspx

Language: English
Subject Areas: For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers, Breathing Support, Respiratory Care

Support for Breathing Problems

This guide created by the MND Association (MNDA) may aid people with ALS/MND and caregivers to find information on their respiratory healthcare team and what to expect regarding the progression of ALS/MND and its impact on breathing. This resource also discusses various treatments and therapies offered to individuals to support their breathing problems.

https://www.mndassociation.org/app/uploads/2015/07/8A-Support-for-breathing-problems.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Healthcare Team, Breathing, Ventilation, For People with ALS, For CALS

Adapting to Changes in Breathing when you Have ALS

Created as part of the ALS Association’s (ALSA) Living With ALS Resource Guides, this guide delivers a wide breadth of information on breathing for people with ALS/MND. This resource discusses the mechanisms of breathing and how the progression of ALS/MND may impact breath. Additionally, the guide supplies information on different breathing assistance devices.

https://www.als.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/lwals_10_2017.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Breathing, Respiratory Care, For People with ALS/MND, Breathing Assistance, For People with ALS/MND

Breathing and MND: What You Can Do

This factsheet was developed by MND Australia under their “Living Better for Longer” resource series. It provides people with ALS/MND and caregivers with different strategies to support breathing with MND.

https://www.mndaust.asn.au/Get-informed/Information-resources/Living_better_for_longer/WEB-MND-Australia-Fact-Sheet-EB6-Breathing-and-MND.aspx

Language: English
Subject Areas: Breathing Support, Respiratory Care, For People with ALS/MND, For CALS

Dealing with Breathing Issues

This short resource created by the ALS Association (ALSA) provides an introductory summary of breathing and coughing techniques for people with ALS/MND. This page also offers information on other coughing and breathing equipment.

https://www.als.org/navigating-als/living-with-als/therapies-care/addressing-respiratory-changes/dealing-with-breathing-issues

Language: English
Subject Areas: Breathing, Respiratory Care, Breathing Techniques, Ventilators, For People with ALS/MND

Breathing and Ventilation

The MND Association’s page on breathing and ventilation provides information for people living with ALS/MND. It includes information on how breathing may be affected and when a person may require a ventilator. This resource also supplies answers to how a ventilator works and the process of withdrawal of ventilation.

https://www.mndassociation.org/support-and-information/living-with-mnd/breathing-and-ventilation/

Language: English
Subject Areas: Breathing, Ventilation, End-of-Life Care, For People with ALS/MND

Medications and Non-Invasive Ventilation

MND Australia created an informative guide on the different medication, therapy, and treatment options for breathing support with ALS/MND. This guide for people living with ALS/MND and caregivers also provides a list of questions people may want to consider and ask their respiratory healthcare team.

https://www.mndaust.asn.au/Get-informed/Information-resources/Living_better_for_longer/WEB-MND-Australia-Fact-Sheet-EB7-Breathing-and-MND.aspx

Language: English
Subject Areas: Respiratory Care, Ventilation, Breathing Support, For People with ALS/MND, For CALS

myBreathing

This resource provides information for people with ALS/MND to help navigate support for breathing. There are various videos from other people with ALS/MND in which they share their own experiences.

http://mybreathing.mymnd.org.uk/

Language: English
Subject Areas: Breathing, Respiratory Care, Ventilation, Non-Invasive Ventilators, For People with ALS/MND

ALS & Breathing

In this resource guide, you’ll find helpful information outlining how ALS affects breathing, symptoms of respiratory muscle weakness, breathing evaluations, oxygen and ALS, the impact on mucus, runny noses, oral care, and saliva have on People Living with ALS, non-invasive therapies, invasive ventilation, and more. For more information visit https://www.lesturnerals.org/resources

https://lesturnerals.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Respiratory-Guide-Final.pdf

 

Language: English
Subject Areas: Respiratory Care, Care and Support Guides and Manuals, For Clinicians, For Families and Caregivers

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Care services

  • Genetic Counselling & Testing
  • Mental Health Support
  • Nursing and Symptom Management
  • Nutrition and Swallowing
  • Occupational Therapy and Activities of Daily Living
  • Physiotherapy and Mobility
  • Respiratory Care
  • Speech Therapy and Communication
  • Support for Family & Caregivers
  • Technology

  • Ana Lilia RodriguezApoyo Integral Gila A.C., Diagnosed 2018, Mexico

    Ana Lilia RodriguezApoyo Integral Gila A.C., Diagnosed 2018, Mexico

  • Bjarne Hytjanstorp, ALS Norge, Norway

    Bjarne Hytjanstorp, ALS Norge, Norway

  • Mike Small, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, UK

    Mike Small, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, UK

  • Richard Clark, MND New Zealand,  Diagnosed 2011

    Richard Clark, MND New Zealand, Diagnosed 2011

  • Marco Antonio Alvarez Mercado, Mexico

    Marco Antonio Alvarez Mercado, Mexico

  • Joy Blakeley, Diagnosed 2017 , MND Australia

    Joy Blakeley, Diagnosed 2017 , MND Australia

  • João Marcos Andrietta, Diagnosed 2008 , ABrELA, Brazil

    João Marcos Andrietta, Diagnosed 2008 , ABrELA, Brazil

  • Ian and Teresa Roberts

    Ian and Teresa Roberts

  • Joanne Pratt, Diagnosed 2011 , MND Australia

    Joanne Pratt, Diagnosed 2011 , MND Australia

  • Teddy Hanono Annie, Apoyo Integral Gila A.C., Diagnosed 2018, Mexico

    Teddy Hanono Annie, Apoyo Integral Gila A.C., Diagnosed 2018, Mexico

  • Rolf Mauch, Association ALS Switzerland, Diagnosed 2015

    Rolf Mauch, Association ALS Switzerland, Diagnosed 2015

  • Margarita Pizarro, Asociacion ELA Argentina, Diagnosed 2017, Argentina

    Margarita Pizarro, Asociacion ELA Argentina, Diagnosed 2017, Argentina

  • Jack Buzby, USA

    Jack Buzby, USA

  • Monica Soriano, Diagnosed 2011 ,  Asociación ELA , Argentina

    Monica Soriano, Diagnosed 2011 , Asociación ELA , Argentina

  • Anthony (Tony) Lynch, MND New South Wales, Diagnosed 2016, Australia

    Anthony (Tony) Lynch, MND New South Wales, Diagnosed 2016, Australia

  • Stephanie Christiansen Hall, Canada

    Stephanie Christiansen Hall, Canada

  • Christian Bär, Germany

    Christian Bär, Germany

  • Mike Rannie,  ALS Canada,  Diagnosed 2017

    Mike Rannie, ALS Canada, Diagnosed 2017

  • Ana María Zavala, FYADENMAC, Diagnosed 2019, Mexico

    Ana María Zavala, FYADENMAC, Diagnosed 2019, Mexico

  • Jorge Melo, ABrELA, Brazil

    Jorge Melo, ABrELA, Brazil

  • Lachlan Terry,  MND Australia,  Diagnosed 2015

    Lachlan Terry, MND Australia, Diagnosed 2015

  • Carlos Alberto Báez Murillo, ACELA, Colombia

    Carlos Alberto Báez Murillo, ACELA, Colombia

  • Emilienne Verhaegen, ALS Liga Belgium, Diagnosed 2014

    Emilienne Verhaegen, ALS Liga Belgium, Diagnosed 2014

  • Philip Brindle,  MND Association,  Diagnosed 2015,  England

    Philip Brindle, MND Association, Diagnosed 2015, England

  • 393647_2252248542053_984912751_n

    393647_2252248542053_984912751_n

  • Natalya Rybakova, Russian Charity ALS Foundation

    Natalya Rybakova, Russian Charity ALS Foundation

  • Frank "Papa" Taylor

    Frank “Papa” Taylor

  • Conny van der Meijden, Diagnosed 2001,  ALS Netherlands

    Conny van der Meijden, Diagnosed 2001, ALS Netherlands

  • Guido De Mets, Belgium

    Guido De Mets, Belgium

  • Calum Ferguson, Diagnosed 2010 , MND Scotland, UK

    Calum Ferguson, Diagnosed 2010 , MND Scotland, UK

  • Karl Hughes, Diagnosed 2010 , IMNDA,  Ireland

    Karl Hughes, Diagnosed 2010 , IMNDA, Ireland

  • Frank "Papa" Taylor, USA

    Frank “Papa” Taylor, USA

  • Cath Muir

    Cath Muir
    Cath

  • John and Loretta Russo, USA

    John and Loretta Russo, USA
    final3878

  • Yessenia Hernandez Mendoza, Apoyo Integral Gila A.C., Diagnosed 2018, Mexico

    Yessenia Hernandez Mendoza, Apoyo Integral Gila A.C., Diagnosed 2018, Mexico

  • Glen Elison,  ALS Hope Foundation,  Diagnosed 2019,  USA

    Glen Elison, ALS Hope Foundation, Diagnosed 2019, USA

  • Shay Rishoni, Diagnosed 2011 - Prize4Life, Israel

    Shay Rishoni, Diagnosed 2011 – Prize4Life, Israel

  • Denis Blais, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Canada

    Denis Blais, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Canada

  • Bayley, Australia

    Bayley, Australia

  • Jette Odgaard Villemoes, Muskelsvindfonden, Denmark

    Jette Odgaard Villemoes, Muskelsvindfonden, Denmark

  • Chris McCauley, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Canada

    Chris McCauley, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Canada

  • Ada Garrido Benavidez, Diagnosed 2016,  FYADENMAC, Mexico

    Ada Garrido Benavidez, Diagnosed 2016, FYADENMAC, Mexico

  • Lin Yong Yi, Taiwan MND Association, Diagnosed 2004

    Lin Yong Yi, Taiwan MND Association, Diagnosed 2004

  • Kirsty Gerlach, MND New Zealand, Diagnosed 2017

    Kirsty Gerlach, MND New Zealand, Diagnosed 2017

  • Guoqiang Xu, Diagnosed 2016 , Shaanxi ALS Association, China

    Guoqiang Xu, Diagnosed 2016 , Shaanxi ALS Association, China

  • David Watson,  MND Scotland,  Diagnosed 2018

    David Watson, MND Scotland, Diagnosed 2018

  • Jean

    Jean
    jean

  • Margreth Burger-Saile, Diagnosed 2011,  ALS Schweiz,  Switzerland

    Margreth Burger-Saile, Diagnosed 2011, ALS Schweiz, Switzerland

  • Tison, USA

    Tison, USA

  • Sam Hayden-Harler, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, UK

    Sam Hayden-Harler, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, UK

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