Why are respiratory exercises crucial for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy?

Respiratory exercises are crucial for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy because respiratory issues can significantly impact their quality of life and can lead to serious, end-of-life complications. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle-wasting condition that primarily affects skeletal muscles but also impacts the muscles involved in respiration. As the disease progresses, the muscles that control breathing can weaken, making it difficult to breathe effectively and increasing the risk of respiratory infections and complications.

Engaging in respiratory exercises helps maintain lung function and can enhance the strength and efficiency of the respiratory muscles. This is essential for children with DMD because if respiratory function declines, it can lead to severe complications such as respiratory failure, which is a common cause of mortality in individuals with DMD. Therefore, keeping the respiratory system as healthy as possible through regular exercises is vital to improve longevity and quality of life in these patients.