What happens if respiratory muscles become too weak to move enough air in and out of the lungs?
Do you suddenly stop breathing? A: No. Respiratory impairment in ALS is a gradual process. You can slowly lose respiratory function and may not even realize it’s happening. Q: What should I look for? A: People with ALS, if they’re still able to exercise or propel a manual wheelchair, may feel short of breath with exertion. Shortness of breath when lying down (orthopnea) is common, but it can be hard to recognize for what it is. In a horizontal position, the weakened respiratory muscles are further compromised by gravity. People with weak breathing muscles feel anxious when they lie down. As respiratory muscles weaken, delivery of oxygen to the lungs and expulsion of carbon dioxide from them become progressively impaired. This is particularly so during sleep, a time when respiratory efforts are normally reduced compared to when we’re awake. If oxygen is inadequate during sleep, restlessness, light sleep and frequent waking or near-waking occur. Here, too, you aren’t likely to recognize
