Neuromuscular diseases

More mobility and quality of life for patients

Neuromuscular diseases lead to the use of mechanical ventilation at home

There is no specific neuromuscular disease to receive this type of treatment. In general, they are diseases that progress with total or partial inability to perform breathing movement.

Neuromuscular diseases encompass a group of more than 200 pathologies that lead to generalized muscle weakness involving upper and/or lower limbs, oropharyngeal and breathing muscles, causing difficulties in swallowing, speaking and breathing. They have different names according to the involvement of the motor unit.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis – ALS

ALS  is one of the  most well-known neuromuscular diseases, see below the reason and the main numbers:

  • 200,000 people are diagnosed with ALS;
  • Between 12 and 15 thousand Brazilians are diagnosed with ALS;
  • Most patients are men between 40 and 60 years old;
  • In Brazil, the average time to receive the correct diagnosis is 10 to 12 months;
  • The median survival of these patients is three years. 

  • How is the treatment done?

    In the initial phase, the patient may present nocturnal respiratory symptoms, with desaturation during sleep, inability to reach the REM phase, nocturnal awakenings, fatigue and daytime sleepiness. At this stage, it will be necessary to use non-invasive ventilatory support (CPAP or BIPAP) during the night, associated with face or nasal masks according to the patient's comfort.
SG_HHC_COPD

Cough Assistant

The loss of respiratory muscle strength in addition to hypoventilation also leads to the inability to remove secretions from the airways. In this case, bronchial hygiene can be performed using a cough machine, which is superior equipment to any assisted cough technique, capable of efficiently and safely reproducing the mechanics of coughing. Indicated from mild to advanced stages of the disease.

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High-tech equipment that guarantees more quality of life.

nurse with patient

Home Mechanical Fans

With the progression of the disease and respiratory muscle weakness, there will be an increase in dependence on ventilatory support (>16 hours/day) and it is at this point that the use of life support equipment is suggested: mechanical home ventilators. These are capable of correcting changes in compliance and pulmonary resistance and are designed to work 24 hours a day.
Current models are light, portable, have an internal battery, can also be used for travel and tours, as they have a carrying bag and/or can be attached to a wheelchair.

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Safety in treatment

In case of doubts about the use or installation of the products, call 0800 555 0322.

  • Keep the fan on a flat and stable base, if its pedestal is not used, to prevent the risk of falling.
  • Do not leave any ventilator accessories, such as the exhalation circuit and valve, on the seat/bed or other absorbent materials when not in use.
  • Do not smoke in the environment where the lung ventilator and/or medical gas cylinder is installed.
  • Do not use oils, fats or any substance to lubricate valves, regulators and connections.
  • The fan must not be exposed to direct sunlight.
  • The fan cannot be covered by any material so as not to have its cooling inlet obstructed.
  • Do not keep liquids close to the fan and its accessories, in order to avoid the risk of electric shock.
  • Handling of equipment should only be carried out by a qualified health professional. Ventilatory parameters cannot be changed without the formal agreement of the person responsible for the prescription.
  • Alarms cannot be changed or turned off without prior knowledge of the physician responsible for the patient. If you have any questions regarding alarms, contact VitalAire's Home Care and Call Center on 0800 7730322.
  • Air Liquide prohibits the customer/user from performing maintenance and repairs on the equipment.
  • The ventilator must be used exclusively under the responsibility of a physician and parameterized as prescribed .
  • The electrical installation must support the electrical power indicated on the equipment (see user manual).
  • Use only external batteries or UPS supplied by Air Liquide. Only the fan and heated base must be connected to the UPS. It is prohibited to connect any other electronic equipment.
  • For safety reasons, it is recommended to avoid connecting the fan and your UPS to an electrical outlet.
  • The fan, even when not in use, must always be connected to the electrical network to prevent the internal battery from being discharged. If a UPS is used, the fan must remain connected to it, and likewise, the UPS must be connected to the mains.
  • UPS – Check daily if the UPS is charged and connected to an electrical power point (other than a socket/extension strip) that is working properly.