Neurológia pre prax 6/2012

Examination of lung and function and respiratory muscles in patients with neuromuscular disease

Respiratory complications are the usual cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with neuromuscular disease. It is caused by progressive generalized muscle weakness, including respiratory muscle strength, which are necessary to ensure breathing as a basic life function. Their impairment leads to inefficient cough, hypoventilation, atelectasis formation and finnally to the development of respiratory insufficiency. This article aims to convey an adverse effect of weakening respiratory muscles and presents the possibility of their examination, including evaluation of pulmonary function.

Keywords: respiratory muscles, tests of lung function, neuromuscular disease.