Respiratory therapy
Neurologically ill children and adolescents may have a restriction of respiratory function. We speak of a respiratory pump weakness when muscle weakness, reduced vigilance or even dysphagia with aspirations reach a critical level. Recognising and treating the corresponding symptoms is the task of our paediatric respiratory therapist together with the medical team.
Chronic respiratory pump weakness leads to insufficient gas exchange in the lungs. This so-called chronic hypoventilation often manifests itself at the beginning with sleep-related breathing disorders, restless sleep, nightmares. This can be accompanied by daytime sleepiness, headaches and weight loss. If left untreated, frequent respiratory infections and increasing signs of shortness of breath follow, even when awake.
There are a number of medical conditions that are regularly associated with hypoventilation. These include central respiratory regulation disorders (for example, diseases of the brainstem), neuromuscular diseases (including SMA, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy), severe scoliosis and obstructive sleep apnoea/hypoventilation.
With our therapeutic interdisciplinary concept, we try to anticipate the course of the underlying disease with all possible complications as best as possible and to achieve, among other things, appropriate airway and secretion management.
In addition to the medical aspects, it is important for us to maintain the best possible quality of life and social participation of those affected and their families.
For the time after the hospital stay, respiratory therapy takes care of the transition and discharge management in cooperation with the social and medical services. Here we cooperate with outpatient nursing services and homecare supply teams and take care of prescriptions for medical equipment and materials. Another important area of responsibility of respiratory therapy is the training of relatives and the nursing staff.
Our respiratory therapy activities include not only recognising but also assessing the extent of respiratory pump weakness and initiating appropriate therapy.
It is important to regularly check the situation with a respiratory pump weakness, as it can worsen as well as improve. Accordingly, respiratory pauses or respiratory weaning can take place. If a tracheostoma is present, we establish an appropriate care concept for it. If it seems possible to dispense with the tracheostomy tube, we initiate and coordinate the necessary measures. Last but not least, we take care of secretion mobilisation and reduction.
