What commonality do clients with myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) share?

Clients with myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) share an increased risk for respiratory complications due to the nature of their neurological impairments. Each of these conditions impacts the muscular control necessary for effective respiration.

In myasthenia gravis, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the connections between nerves and muscles, leading to muscle weakness, particularly in the respiratory muscles, which can result in breathing difficulties. Guillain-Barré syndrome typically causes rapid progressive weakness and can affect the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles, potentially leading to respiratory failure. In ALS, which involves the degeneration of motor neurons, muscle weakness progressively affects the ability to breathe as the respiratory muscles weaken over time.

This shared risk emphasizes the importance of monitoring respiratory function in clients with these neurological disorders, as they may require interventions such as ventilatory support or other respiratory therapies to manage complications related to impaired breathing.