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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
right hemidaphragm paralysis after surgery
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis
right hemidaphragm paralysis after surgery
by Myha, Apr 13, 2004 12:00AM
I had surgery 6 months for Thymus Thymoma Cancer my right hemidaphragm is paralysis . I can not breath when I lay on my back or if I walk up hills or steeps, have hard time to sleep feel like I do not get enought air.. Could my diaphragm still get better.. Or will it stay like this.. Is there anything that can be done to fix it?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Apr 14, 2004 12:00AM
, Apr 14, 2004 12:00AM
The phrenic nerve makes the diaphragm move so that the lungs can fill with air and empty. Diaphragmatic paralysis is a condition where this nerve is not working properly. In many instances the cause is never found. It can occur on its own. It can follow surgery, like you had to treat your cancer 6 months ago. During the surgery the nerve may have been irritated or cut or destroyed. This may be seen with a CT scan. If the nerve was just irritated by the surgery, over time your diaphragm may get better.
When the phrenic nerve doesn’t begin to work on its own, as long as it was not cut or destroyed, a surgery called diaphragmatic plication may fix your diaphragm so that it works better. After this surgery people have had less shortness of breath and better pulmonary function tests.
When the phrenic nerve doesn’t begin to work on its own, as long as it was not cut or destroyed, a surgery called diaphragmatic plication may fix your diaphragm so that it works better. After this surgery people have had less shortness of breath and better pulmonary function tests.
Member Comments (1)
by Lexu7, Jun 28, 2008 07:08AM
A related discussion, phrenic nerve paralysis was started.
