Suggest Remedies For Difficulty In Breathing

Posted on Sun, 7 Aug 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 7 Aug 2016 Answered on

Mon, 29 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : How does one get a raised diaphragm? I have been diagnosed with one and it has been verified by x-ray. As a result and what the tests were done, I have had a difficult time breathing and catching my breath.

I am scheduled for a PFT test this coming Wednesday.
XXXXXXX Wadhams

What can be done for it?

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
There are many causes for raised dome of diaphragm.

Detailed Answer:
Hello xxxxxxxxxxxx,

Thanks for posting your query on HCM.

There are many causes of raised dome of diaphragm.

The common ones are fluid collection between under surface of lungs and diaphragm which gives an appearance of raised diaphragm, collection of fluid/pus under the diaphragm, some liver pathology or a tumour.

An important cause of raised dome of diaphragm esp at your age is the paralysis of phrenic nerve which supplies the diaphragm. Detailed investigations are required to find out the cause of phrenic nerve palsy.

Sometimes it may be congenital ie present since birth but that gets generally diagnosed at an early stage while chest xray is taken for some other reason.

You need to undergo USG chest and a CECT chest and if required further investigations

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad