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Respiratory Care in Neuromuscular Disease

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Integrated Palliative Care of Respiratory Disease

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Abstract

A structured approach to respiratory care improves outcomes, including symptom control, quality of life, and survival, in patients with neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Assessment of respiratory function should include bulbar function, respiratory muscle function, and cough effectiveness. Chest physiotherapy techniques and cough-assist devices help in the clearance of secretions. Supportive treatments such as non-invasive ventilation and gastrostomy feeding improve symptoms, survival, and quality of life. Early involvement of palliative care clinicians assists with advance care planning and provision of optimal end of life care in a setting of choice including hospital, home, or hospice. Symptoms such as breathlessness, choking, and pain can be controlled using treatments such as oxygen, sputum clearance techniques, opioids, ­benzodiazepines, and hyoscine.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Respiratory Medicine, North Tyneside General Hospital, Rake Lane, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 8NH, UK

    Stephen C. Bourke M.B. BCh (hons), Ph.D., FRCP

  2. Department of Palliative Medicine, Wansbeck General Hospital, Northumberland, UK

    Catherine O’Neill M.B.B.S., MRCP

  3. St Oswald’s Hospice, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Catherine O’Neill M.B.B.S., MRCP

Authors
  1. Stephen C. Bourke M.B. BCh (hons), Ph.D., FRCP
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  2. Catherine O’Neill M.B.B.S., MRCP
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen C. Bourke M.B. BCh (hons), Ph.D., FRCP .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, United Kingdom

    Stephen J. Bourke

  2. , Palliative Care Unit, North Tyneside General Hospital, Rake Lane, North Shields, NE29 8NH, United Kingdom

    Edwin Timothy Peel

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Bourke, S.C., O’Neill, C. (2013). Respiratory Care in Neuromuscular Disease. In: Bourke, S., Peel, E. (eds) Integrated Palliative Care of Respiratory Disease. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2230-2_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2230-2_11

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