Common Symptoms of Weakened Breathing Muscles
Note: This website should not be used as a substitute for medical care. For medical care or advice, please seek the care of a clinician who specializes in the breathing issues of those with Neuromuscular Disease (NMD).
Some individuals have a hard time detecting the symptoms as they can progress very slowly and/or be confused for other problems. For example, individuals who have significant muscle weakness in the limbs may not exert themselves, preventing a situation where they would be out of breath. Another commonly confused symptom is anxiety while lying flat. Often the individual thinks this is anxiety over the inability to get up from a reclined position when in reality, it is a sign of a breathing muscle weakness.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the following which could be a sign of a breathing problem caused by your NMD.
Note: If you are experiencing significant or severe shortness of breath, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Note: This website should not be used as a substitute for medical care. For medical care or advice, please seek the care of a clinician who specializes in the breathing issues of those with Neuromuscular Disease (NMD).
Some individuals have a hard time detecting the symptoms as they can progress very slowly and/or be confused for other problems. For example, individuals who have significant muscle weakness in the limbs may not exert themselves, preventing a situation where they would be out of breath. Another commonly confused symptom is anxiety while lying flat. Often the individual thinks this is anxiety over the inability to get up from a reclined position when in reality, it is a sign of a breathing muscle weakness.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the following which could be a sign of a breathing problem caused by your NMD.
- Anxiousness or shortness of breath when lying down
- Restlessness while trying to sleep
- Frequent awakenings after short periods of sleep
- Awaking tired after what should have been enough or a full night's sleep
- Awaking with a headache that goes away minutes later
- Recurring respiratory infections
- Daytime headaches with no known origin
- Changes in the amount or color of mucus coughed up
- Periods of confusion or not making sense when talking
- Increased fatigue, unexplained daytime sleepiness, periods of "microsleep" throughout the day
- Difficulty waking up in the morning
- Sudden shortness of breath
Note: If you are experiencing significant or severe shortness of breath, seek emergency medical attention immediately.