Pulse Oximeters for Those Living with Neuromuscular Disease (NMD) in the US
Simply put, Neuromuscular Disease (NMD), affects the function of the muscles, and the most common sign of these diseases is muscle weakness. In many cases, the muscles used to breathe are affected. This can cause cough to be weak and/or ineffective, increasing the risk of pneumonia and/or acute respiratory failure for these individuals when they contract respiratory conditions and viruses.
All individuals living with a Neuromuscular Disease (NMD) should own a fingertip pulse oximeter. The device measures oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate of circulating blood through the skin. The device allows the individual to identify their own baseline, to self-monitor, and to detect potential changes in their respiratory health to share with their NMD care team. A pulse oximeter can be an early detection tool for development of pneumonia, a condition that reduces one's oxygen saturation and is a common cause of hospitalization and death for those with NMD.
With the help of individual donors, as funding allows, we provide quality fingertip pulse oximeters for individuals and families affected by Neuromuscular Disease (NMD) who reside within the United States (US) and have a financial need. One fingertip pulse oximeter is provided per family, one time. We do not allow prior fingertip pulse oximeter recipients to receive a second device at a later point. This program is only for individuals living with an NMD; no exceptions are made for individuals with any other respiratory or non-respiratory conditions.
Our organization further supports our mission through the following.
Education
Support
Outreach
Supplies Distribution
Mentoring
Simply put, Neuromuscular Disease (NMD), affects the function of the muscles, and the most common sign of these diseases is muscle weakness. In many cases, the muscles used to breathe are affected. This can cause cough to be weak and/or ineffective, increasing the risk of pneumonia and/or acute respiratory failure for these individuals when they contract respiratory conditions and viruses.
All individuals living with a Neuromuscular Disease (NMD) should own a fingertip pulse oximeter. The device measures oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate of circulating blood through the skin. The device allows the individual to identify their own baseline, to self-monitor, and to detect potential changes in their respiratory health to share with their NMD care team. A pulse oximeter can be an early detection tool for development of pneumonia, a condition that reduces one's oxygen saturation and is a common cause of hospitalization and death for those with NMD.
With the help of individual donors, as funding allows, we provide quality fingertip pulse oximeters for individuals and families affected by Neuromuscular Disease (NMD) who reside within the United States (US) and have a financial need. One fingertip pulse oximeter is provided per family, one time. We do not allow prior fingertip pulse oximeter recipients to receive a second device at a later point. This program is only for individuals living with an NMD; no exceptions are made for individuals with any other respiratory or non-respiratory conditions.
Our organization further supports our mission through the following.
Education
Support
Outreach
Supplies Distribution
Mentoring