Problèmes respiratoires des personnes polyhandicapées : le point de vue du médecin de médecine physique et de réadaptation

People with severe disability have a very vulnerable respiratory condition due to many reasons, namely a defect in the development of the lungs, neurological disorders of the respiratory command, narrowness and rigidity of the ribcage, scoliosis, an ineffective cough and so on. Added digestive problems hamper the respiratory system, such as swallowing the wrong way, having gastroesophageal reflux, going through bronchopulmonary secondary infections and suffering from transit disorders. These disorders contribute to worsening - in a general and insidious way - the general health. This impact increases when there is a defect in corpulence and when fragility is higher during critical periods, for instance during a surgery program fixing the hip or the rachis. The pediatric and reeducation team must know the respiratory risks for people suffering from severe disability in order to set up the right precautionary and therapeutic measures without limitation nor doggedness to improve their condition.