In winter, ALS patients are much more likely than other people to develop infections on their lungs and have breathing problems due to the inability to cough and cough up secretions.
It is therefore very important to prevent an infection of the lungs!
Here are some suggestions to prevent common respiratory infections:
- Protect yourself, keep your distance from people with symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and/or fever. Viral infections are contagious and can lead to bacterial infections.
- Do you have any of the following symptoms? 38 degrees and higher fever, yellow or green nasal discharge, bronchial secretions for several consecutive hours, pain in the sinuses, dirt accumulation in the chest , then consult your doctor as soon as possible!
- Try to stay as active as possible and practise physical exercise that is within your own limits. Being active and regularly changing positions helps keep your lungs open. Even turning in your bed can help.
- Ask your doctor for a pneumonia vaccine. A flu vaccine can also be very useful, but ask your doctor for advice on this as well.
- Avoid infections by aspiration of mouth contents (saliva, food, drink).
- Keeping the lungs expanded may involve non-invasive ventilation (BiPAP).
- Talk to your neurologist about medications and treatments that can reduce the accumulation of saliva in the mouth.
Sometimes, despite all preventive efforts, that respiratory infection is suddenly there. In that case, be sure to pay attention to the following things:
- Often antibiotics alone are not enough to cure the pneumonia. The ALS patient needs adequate hydration and deep coughing to expand the lungs and clear the airways. This may require intense therapy and hospitalization.
- In the long term, assistance from devices may be needed to mobilize secretions and clear the airways. A ‘Cough-Assist device’ (also known as a ‘Mechanical Insufflator-Exsufflator’) can be prescribed by a doctor, and a respiratory therapist can provide assistance and instructions for its use. The device sets secretions in motion and helps them cough out. There is also an external vibrating vest that helps loosen stubborn mucus; it is often used in addition to a “cough-assist device.
- Talk to your doctor about it. A respiratory infection can be a significant risk and cause considerable discomfort for the ALS patient and may ultimately require specialized care from your neurologist or a pulmonologist. Your first contact point is always your family doctor as an important member of your health care team. Keep your family doctor informed about your ALS situation so that if pneumonia strikes, he or she is prepared to initiate treatment in consultation with the ALS neurologist and other specialists.