Breathing Issues and Multiple Sclerosis
Note: If breathing problems occur suddenly, see a healthcare provider or go to the emergency room immediately. Signs of respiratory distress that require immediate attention include increased breathing rate, grunting when exhaling, nose flaring, sweating, wheezing, chest retractions (chest appears to sink in with each breath), leaning forward while sitting to help take deeper breaths or bluish color around the mouth, on the inside of the lips or on the fingernails.
Respiration Problems Due to Multiple Sclerosis
Does MS Cause Shortness of Breath?
No. Shortness of breath is not usually a direct symptom of MS. If you are experiencing shortness of breath, go to the emergency room.Breathing problems that occur with MS present differently than what you might call shortness of breath. People with MS experience a tightening of the chest called an MS hug (dysesthesia). Read more about the symptoms of MS hug and how to manage it.Other Causes of Breathing Problems
Among the medications that can depress breathing are anti-anxiety pills (benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Ativan), muscle relaxants and opioid analgesics. If you have a history of respiratory distress or swallowing problems, your use of these medications should be carefully monitored. Typically, these medications should not be combined. This greatly increases the risk of respiratory depression potentially leading to serious harm and even death.Breathing problems can also occur as a result of aspiration pneumonia. This results from the inability to clear secretions from the nose and throat or from swallowing difficulties that result in inhalation of food particles into the lungs. If you begin to experience swallowing problems and/or choking while eating or drinking, get evaluated by a speech/language pathologist. In addition to exercises and other forms of therapy to improve your ability to swallow, the therapist may recommend dietary changes and postural changes while eating to minimize these issues. Sometimes, a feeding tube is necessary to avoid continued risk of aspiration pneumonia.Treatment for MS Breathing Problems
Evaluations of breathing problems are most often done by a healthcare provider with special training in this area. If your respiratory function becomes affected, a therapy program that includes breathing exercises may be recommended to strengthen the muscles that support your lungs and breathing.Everyone living with MS can benefit from adding breathing exercises into their regular wellness routine. First, consult with your healthcare provider on the best exercise program for you. " c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">Respiration — or breathing — is primarily under the control of the autonomic or “automatic” nervous system. This is the part of the central nervous system that controls vital functions, such as heartbeat and respiration without your conscious thought. It is unusual for multiple sclerosis to affect the autonomic nervous system. For this reason, it’s uncommon for breathing problems to occur in MS as a direct result of loss of autonomic control.In MS, the most common cause of respiratory problems is loss of muscle strength and endurance. Just as you might experience muscle weakness in the arms or legs, you might have weakness in the chest and abdominal muscles involved in breathing. And like weakness in other parts of the body, weakness of the muscles related to proper breathing and lung function can begin early in the disease course and gradually worsen over time. People with weakened breathing muscles have to work harder to inhale and exhale.