10 Symptoms of Marfan Syndrome
Symptom #9: Respiratory Issues
Patients with Marfan syndrome can have issues with their lungs. Some of the common issues are spontaneous pneumothorax, restrictive lung disease (RLD), emphysema, asthma, and sleep apnea. Spontaneous pneumothorax is the collapse of a lung without any cause. Patients will experience breathlessness, acute chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing, and dry cough. RLD occurs in 70% of those with Marfan syndrome. It does not allow the full expansion of the chest making it hard for the body to obtain the necessary amount of oxygen.
There is difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and chest pain during mild exertion. Emphysema is a condition where there is enlargement of the air spaces, obstruction, and inflammation of the lungs. It is seen in 5 to 10% of individuals with Marfan syndrome.
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