It’s often difficult for people with limited muscle strength or breathing challenges to clear secretions from their lungs.
Diseases and conditions that can result in excess mucus that blocks the airways include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Cerebral palsy (CP)
- Diaphragm disorders
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Muscular dystrophy (MD)
- Quadriplegia
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
- Other myotonic disorders
- Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD)
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AD)
Uncleared excess mucus can lead to chronic inflammation and infections, causing permanent lung and respiratory function damage.1 Physicians prescribe airway clearance therapy to clear mucus before it builds up. This makes it harder for harmful bacteria to grow.2