There are certain problems which are unique for different types of people with disproportionate short stature. However, there exist general problems for all little people, whatever their bone condition may be.
The use of breathing tubes
Since little people have smaller tubes than average sized persons, tubes inserted for breathing problems must be those for kids or pediatric sized tubes.
Smaller doses of medications
Even adult little people require medication appropriate for their stature. Thus, they require a smaller dose of anesthesia, for instance, when they undergo certain procedures. Doctors must take notice of these doses for administering a higher amount than what their bodies can take may be fatal for them.
Extra care in training
When a little person wants to undergo a weight training program, although this is not advisable as it puts too much strain on their joints and bones, the training instructor must make sure that the program will not put the person on a greater risk squashing the nerves and bones. This is especially true for people with a condition called condrodystrophies.
Special care during surgery
For persons with condrodystrophies or those with softer and less developed neck bone, special care must be given to support the neck during a surgery or any other types of procedure where he or she is unconscious. Moreover, since this condition also affects bone structure which means that they are not properly straightened out, caution must be employed so as not to put pressure or stress on these bones especially when sleeping or if otherwise unconscious. Do not attempt to straighten the bones because they usually brittle and may lead to complications especially in walking, standing or sitting.
Sleeping disorders
Clefts palates are also common among those with condrodystrophies. Thus, be wary of sleeping disorders or other conditions which may lead to partial or total blockage of passage ways.
Risks in nerve problems
Another problem associated with condrodystrophies is that these people lack some bone formations or structures, such as odontoid. The lack of such structures will greatly increase friction between joints and bones, thus, there is the constant danger of squashing the nerves.
Brittle bones
When you have the condition called osteogenesis imperfecta, this means that your bones are brittle. Thus, anesthesiologists must take extra care in administering chemicals. The right temperature is necessary so that an adverse reaction to anesthesia will not occur.
Some chemicals should not be introduced into the system of those with achondroplasia. A good example is spinal anesthesia. In this type of situation, a better alternative is general anesthesia.
Short people have conditions that we may not fully know and understand. The best thing to do is always give them the respect, care, and love that they deserve.