Symptom 5: Lung Problems: The Respiratory Hurdles Faced by Marfan Syndrome Patients
While Marfan syndrome primarily targets the connective tissue, its impact on the lungs, a major organ system, is not trivial. Even though not as prominent as cardiovascular or skeletal complications, lung problems in Marfan syndrome add another layer of complexity to the disorder.
One such lung problem is spontaneous pneumothorax, a condition where air enters the space between the lung and chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This sudden lung collapse could result in sharp chest pain and breathlessness. It’s like a balloon suddenly losing its air, leaving an individual gasping for breath.
Marfan syndrome patients might also face sleep-related breathing disorders, including sleep apnea. In sleep apnea, the breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, leading to snoring, daytime fatigue, and a host of other complications.
In addition, these individuals may have a less effective respiratory system due to skeletal complications like scoliosis and chest wall deformities. These can result in reduced lung capacity, making it harder to breathe and get enough oxygen.
Facing these lung problems adds another level of struggle to the lives of individuals with Marfan syndrome. Breathing, an action often taken for granted, becomes an ordeal, a constant reminder of the systemic nature of the disorder. (5)
