Are Respiratory problems a serious matter in MSers?
Respiratory problems, on top of all the MS symptoms we MSers have to deal with, are no strangers to folks living with Multiple Sclerosis. The thing is that even fairly mild respiratory problems can cause severe fatigue, further contributing to other sources of MS fatigue. Furthermore, the feeling that you can’t get enough air when attempting to breathe can lead to panic attacks and severe anxiety. WHAT DO RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS IN MS FEEL LIKE? Respiratory problems have several different forms of showing up in MSers. Some of the most commonly seen forms are:
These respiratory problems may not seem much to a person without Multiple Sclerosis. You might be asking yourself what’s the big deal? Well, these respiratory problems, if you ask a me or any person with MS, will tell you that they often feel like:
Most folks with MS learn to deal fairly quickly with these respiratory problems. One of my most frequent strategies to cope with the shortness of breath and deep breathing difficulties is simply to force myself to make several conscious stops during each day and force myself to practice some deep breathing while imagining (and feeling in my chest) all that oxygen coming in and slowly being exhaled. I have also discovered that, of all things, if I laugh too hard, I can find myself gasping for air fairly quickly. I really don’t know if this is due to my MS or not but I do not remember having that particular problem before. HOW FREQUENT ARE MS-RELATED RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS SEEN? Respiratory problems are not affecting the majority of MSers. Only about 20% of MSers have reported having to deal and cope with various respiratory problems. There is one study that reported that up to 32% of MSers reported mild pain while breathing or shortness of breath (dyspnea) while doing some moderate exertion. WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS IN MSers? For a long time it was thought that respiratory problems took place at a later time in the course of the disease process. But, recent studies fail to show a relationship between these symptoms and the duration of MS. To a certain extent it is the severity of MS or its disability levels that is a good indication of how severe the respiratory problems will be. Breathing difficulties in Multiple Sclerosis can be caused by one or more of the following factors:
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IMPROVE YOUR CONDITION? Although this is not what most of us would considered a serious problem, it is known that MSers tend to have a panting (shallower) form of breathing along with a faster breathing rate than regular people. It is a very good idea to learn and perform different breathing exercises to avoid respiratory problems further down the line as well as improve overall respiratory functions. One great way to learn to improve your breathing and minimize any respiratory problems you might be experiencing is to start practicing Yoga. You might want to check The Agless Yoga instructional DVDs by John Schlorholtz and see what I mean. About Me | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact Me New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
