Patient's question:
A friend is a patient with progressive muscular dystrophy. Sometimes, when exposed to cold, they experience thick phlegm, causing coughing, a stuffy chest, and shortness of breath. After taking these medications—Amoxicillin, Tong Xuan Li Fei Pian, Bai Jia He, and Qing Kai Ling—the symptoms gradually improve within 6-7 hours. However, the waiting period for the medication to take effect can be difficult, making it feel as if they are about to pass out. During coughing fits, they also experience retching and need someone to continuously pat their chest to help them catch their breath. How can you help someone with progressive muscular dystrophy who is experiencing breathing difficulties?Doctor's answer:
Progressive muscular dystrophy patients experiencing cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing are signs of neurological fatigue leading to dysfunction of the brainstem and cervical spinal cord, which subsequently causes diaphragm and respiratory muscle paralysis, posing a life-threatening risk. Pneumonia caused by respiratory infection, known as aspiration pneumonia, is one of the common lung diseases. It occurs when the diaphragm cannot expel phlegm, leading to the accumulation of thickened or edematous phlegm. If proper treatment is not administered to stabilize and restore neurological function, the condition will inevitably worsen. Ultimately, it may result in respiratory failure and asphyxiation, leading to death. Additionally, this disease is classified as a neurodegenerative myopathy, which is divided into organic and functional types.