How does ALS affect your breathing?

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How does ALS affect your breathing?

ALS can make breathing difficult or ineffective. That’s because it affects the muscles that move your chest and lungs. These muscles include the diaphragm, which separates your chest from your belly. Other breathing muscles affected include those between your ribs.

Pulmonary (breathing) problems you can get with ALS include:

  • Shortness of breath, even during rest.
  • Weak cough.
  • Difficulty clearing your throat and lungs.
  • Extra saliva.
  • Inability to lie flat in bed.
  • Repeated chest infections and pneumonia.
  • Respiratory failure.

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