The patient may show paralysis in the respiratory muscles and will then obviously have respiratory difficulties. Those who have paralysis or severe hypotonia in the throat musculature will also have difficulty, since the inspiratory movements tend to suck the walls of the pharynx inward unless muscle tone braces against this effect. Thus, the patient may choke for this reason or because the throat muscles are in coordinate in swallowing so that inhalation of food occurs.
Respiratory movements may be so impaired as to make speech difficult and coughing impossible. Communication is therefore a problem and lung secretions gather. The patient showing rigidity may have impaired respiratory function due to the difficulty in obtaining thoracic mobility.
