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Support groupsFrom other websitesContent disclaimerContent on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Overview The diaphragm is a mushroom-shaped muscle that sits beneath your lower-to-middle rib cage. It separates your abdomen from your thoracic area. Your diaphragm helps you breathe by lowering when you inhale, in that way, allowing your lungs to expand. It then rises to its original position when you exhale. When you have a case of the hiccups, you’re experiencing minor, rhythmic spasms in your diaphragm. But sometimes, a person can experience pain in their diaphragm that goes beyond the minor twitches caused by hiccups. Depending on the cause of your diaphragm pain, you might experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Diaphragm pain can have multiple causes, some benign and others potentially severe. Here are some of them. ExerciseYour diaphragm can spasm when you breathe hard during strenuous exercise, like running, which can cause pain in your sides. The pain can be sharp or very tight. It restricts breathing and prevents you from drawing a full breath without discomfort. If you experience pain like this during exercise, rest briefly to regulate your breathing and ease the spasms. (The pain gets worse if you keep going.) Stitches in your side tend to be worse if you neglect stretching and proper warmups before exercising, so don’t forget to warm up before you hit the treadmill. PregnancyDiscomfort in the diaphragm and shortness of breath are normal during pregnancy. These aren’t symptoms you should be worried about. As your baby grows, your uterus pushes your diaphragm up and compresses your lungs, making it harder to breathe. If you experience prolonged or severe pain or persistent cough, contact your doctor. TraumaTrauma to the diaphragm from an injury, a car accident, or surgery can cause pain that is either intermittent (comes and goes) or prolonged. In severe cases, trauma can cause a rupture of the diaphragm — a tear in the muscle that will require surgery. Symptoms of diaphragm rupture can include:
Although serious, a diaphragm rupture can go undetected long term. Your doctor can diagnose diaphragmatic rupture through CT scan or thoracoscopy. Musculoskeletal problemsA muscular strain of the rib muscles, which can happen due to trauma, coughing, or pulling or twisting movements can cause pain that may be confused with pain from the diaphragm. Rib fractures can also result in this type of pain. Gallbladder problemsOne of the most prominent symptoms associated withgallbladder problems is pain in the mid- to upper-right abdomen, which could easily be mistaken for diaphragm pain. Some other symptoms of gallbladder issues include:
Some gallbladder conditions that could cause the above symptoms include infection, abscess, gallbladder disease, gallstones, bile duct blockage, inflammation, and cancer. To diagnose a gallbladder issue, your doctor will conduct a thorough medical history and physical exam andmay recommend tests like:
Hiatal herniaYou experience ahiatal hernia when the top of your stomach pushes up through an opening in the bottom of your esophagus called the hiatus. This type of hernia can be caused by:
Symptoms of hiatal hernia include:
Your doctor can diagnose hiatal hernia through barium X-ray or endoscopy, although they often require little to no treatment. For someone experiencing acid reflux or heartburn, medication may ease the symptoms. Surgical intervention for hiatal hernia is rare but might be necessary for a person with a large hiatal hernia. Other possible causesOther possible causes of diaphragm pain include:
Depending on the cause and severity of the pain in your diaphragm, there are multiple avenues for treating the discomfort. Lifestyle changesYou can address some of the benign causes of these types of pain with remedies such as:
MedicationFor conditions like heartburn and acid reflux caused by a hiatal hernia, you might need to take over-the-counter or prescription medications to control the production of acid in your stomach. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor might prescribe anti-inflammatory medication or steroids to control the inflammation. Strong pain management medication like morphine might be prescribed for short-term use in the event of traumatic injury or diaphragm rupture. SurgeryA person experiencing a severe, large hiatal hernia or a diseased gallbladder might need surgery to correct it. If there is severe trauma to the diaphragm, surgery may also be needed to repair it. See a doctor if you’ve sustained an abdominal injury that could have affected your diaphragm. If you don’t already have a primary care provider, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. Also make an appointment if you’re having persistent or severe diaphragm pain along with other severe symptoms, including:
If you’re experiencing mild discomfort in your diaphragm, take a few minutes to concentrate on deep breathing. Place one hand on your abdomen and breathe deeply. If your abdomen moves in and out as you breathe, you’re breathing correctly. Encouraging your diaphragm to expand and contract at its full potential should ease your discomfort. Deep breathing may also produce a sense of calm, reduced stress and anxiety levels, and lower blood pressure. What CR centering should be used for a dorsal decubitus projection of the abdomen if the diaphragm is to be included?The central ray (CR) should be horizontal and perpendicular to the center of the cassette and directed to the mid-coronal plane, 2 inches (5 cm) above the level of the iliac crests.
Which of the following solid organs is the largest found in the abdomen?What's the largest solid internal organ? The largest solid internal organ is your liver. It weighs approximately 3–3.5 pounds or 1.36–1.59 kilograms and is about the size of a football. Your liver is located beneath your rib cage and lungs, in the upper right area of your abdomen.
Which of the following will be demonstrated in an anteroposterior projection of the abdomen?A radiograph of an anteroposterior (AP) abdomen demonstrates elongation (widening) of the left iliac wing and narrowing of the right iliac wing.
What radiographic position would best demonstrate a bowel perforation?Abdomen Lateral Decubitus for Acute Abdomen
Purpose and Structures Shown To demonstrate the abdominal cavity in a patient diagnosed with gut perforation, intestinal obstruction, or other types of acute abdomen in patients who are NOT ambulatory.
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