Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Polymyositis

Difficulty Breathing And Swallowing

Difficulty breathing and swallowing are also complications that can occur when the muscles in the esophagus are weaker than they should be. Problems with swallowing are called dysphagia. They often occur in disorders that cause progressive muscle weakness. These issues can lead to aspiration and pneumonia, but there are other problems they can cause by themselves. Many patients who have trouble swallowing will restrict their diet because eating is difficult, which can lead to potentially unhealthy weight loss and overall malnutrition. If individuals are experiencing problems with swallowing, they should talk to a doctor about how to get the right nutrients and calorie intake for their body. Breathing problems might also be related to weakness in the chest muscles. In the most severe cases, this can lead to respiratory failure. It's more common to experience shortness of breath, though, particularly after any kind of strenuous exercise.