CMT/sleep and breathing problems.

[Guest guest]

Sleep problems / breathing

It is an unfortunate fact that, on top of everything else, in a minority of

cases, the diaphragm can be affected by

CMT. In the majority of cases, even if the diaphragm is affected, we are not

aware of it. No one breathes to the

full capacity of their lungs anyway, unless you're an Olympic athlete. Most of

us are only aware of a slight

breathlessness after walking quickly, and that, more often than not, is down to

an out of condition body generally,

as much as any problem with lung function. Some people may have a problem

sleeping - in which case lying flat

doesn't help, so sleeping propped up or on your side may be all that is

required.

However, in rare cases, lung function becomes a major problem, and can manifest

itself as severe headaches,

particularly in the mornings. This is because at night, the breathing pattern

changes to give deeper, slower

breaths. If the lungs aren't functioning properly, this pattern is disrupted,

resulting in carbon dioxide being

retained in the body, hence the headaches. It is important to get this problem

checked thoroughly by specialists.

A sleep study in hospital can confirm what the problem is, and it can be cured

by the use of certain drugs, which

alter the sleep pattern and thereby eliminate the problem.

Don't panic at this piece of new information. Major diaphragm weakness is very

rare, and any problems caused

by it can be quite easily sorted out.

This is at http://www.CMT.org.uk/coping.htm#Lack

~>Becky M.

[Guest guest]

Thanks . This is good information. I will be seeing a

pulmonary Dr. and get checked out. I do not have those types of

headaches often. My breathing difficulties seem to be clearing up.

I got dust down in my lungs. Now I am dealing with other medical

things. I am glad you wrote because this helps all stay aware and

take good care of ourselves.

> Sleep problems / breathing

>

> It is an unfortunate fact that, on top of everything else, in a

minority of cases, the diaphragm can be affected by

> CMT. In the majority of cases, even if the diaphragm is affected,

we are not aware of it. No one breathes to the

> full capacity of their lungs anyway, unless you're an Olympic

athlete. Most of us are only aware of a slight

> breathlessness after walking quickly, and that, more often than

not, is down to an out of condition body generally,

> as much as any problem with lung function. Some people may have a

problem sleeping - in which case lying flat

> doesn't help, so sleeping propped up or on your side may be all

that is required.

>

> However, in rare cases, lung function becomes a major problem, and

can manifest itself as severe headaches,

> particularly in the mornings. This is because at night, the

breathing pattern changes to give deeper, slower

> breaths. If the lungs aren't functioning properly, this pattern is

disrupted, resulting in carbon dioxide being

> retained in the body, hence the headaches. It is important to get

this problem checked thoroughly by specialists.

> A sleep study in hospital can confirm what the problem is, and it

can be cured by the use of certain drugs, which

> alter the sleep pattern and thereby eliminate the problem.

>

> Don't panic at this piece of new information. Major diaphragm

weakness is very rare, and any problems caused

> by it can be quite easily sorted out.

>

> This is at http://www.CMT.org.uk/coping.htm#Lack

> ~>Becky M.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks . This is good information. I will be seeing a

pulmonary Dr. and get checked out. I do not have those types of

headaches often. My breathing difficulties seem to be clearing up.

I got dust down in my lungs. Now I am dealing with other medical

things. I am glad you wrote because this helps all stay aware and

take good care of ourselves.

> Sleep problems / breathing

>

> It is an unfortunate fact that, on top of everything else, in a

minority of cases, the diaphragm can be affected by

> CMT. In the majority of cases, even if the diaphragm is affected,

we are not aware of it. No one breathes to the

> full capacity of their lungs anyway, unless you're an Olympic

athlete. Most of us are only aware of a slight

> breathlessness after walking quickly, and that, more often than

not, is down to an out of condition body generally,

> as much as any problem with lung function. Some people may have a

problem sleeping - in which case lying flat

> doesn't help, so sleeping propped up or on your side may be all

that is required.

>

> However, in rare cases, lung function becomes a major problem, and

can manifest itself as severe headaches,

> particularly in the mornings. This is because at night, the

breathing pattern changes to give deeper, slower

> breaths. If the lungs aren't functioning properly, this pattern is

disrupted, resulting in carbon dioxide being

> retained in the body, hence the headaches. It is important to get

this problem checked thoroughly by specialists.

> A sleep study in hospital can confirm what the problem is, and it

can be cured by the use of certain drugs, which

> alter the sleep pattern and thereby eliminate the problem.

>

> Don't panic at this piece of new information. Major diaphragm

weakness is very rare, and any problems caused

> by it can be quite easily sorted out.

>

> This is at http://www.CMT.org.uk/coping.htm#Lack

> ~>Becky M.

>

>

>