DYAPHRAGM DISORDER

My symptoms were like that of a heart attack-shortness of breath and chest pain. After two trips to the hospital and tests,the poss.of heart problems was elimated. A lung capacity test was slightly below normal. I was treated for asthma with no improvement. Thank goodness I have a Dr. who listens! I was sent to a respiratory specialist. He sent me for xrays and a sniff test. Diagnosis was that the right side of my diaphragm was paralized. I have never heard of that. I am 72 years old and have no idea how serious this is. What am I to expect? I was told to wait 3 months and then have another chest x-ray. Then if it was OK I would have one once a year. Can you tell me anything about what to expect?

[National Jewish]

The chest pain and shortness of breath are common presenting symptoms.  The seriousness of the problem depends on what has caused the diaphragm to be paralyzed.

The most common cause of paralysis to one side of the diaphragm is trauma that may occur along with surgery.  There are many other causes including abnormalities of structures along the nerve

[alynb]

A related discussion, Paralized Diaphragm   was started.