Respiratory
Respiratory weakness can develop at any stage of disease progression and may cause dyspnoea (shortness of breath), fatigue, impaired quality of life and somnolence.
Respiratory weakness is best addressed by:
- referral to a specialist respiratory physician should take place early in the disease course and regular assessment initiated
- management of symptoms, which can affect how other symptoms of MND are managed.
The diagnosis and management of respiratory weakness is critical because most deaths from MND are due to respiratory failure (Berlowitz et al. 2016).
The person living with MND, together with their family, should be guided through a decision-making process related to management of respiratory symptoms and their future care.