Diaphragmitis

At a Diaphragmitis it is basically an inflammation of muscles in the area of ​​the diaphragm. The inflammation of the muscles is usually local.

What is diaphragmitis?

In modern medicine, a particularly high level of importance is attached to the diaphragm. Because of this, a Diaphragmitis sometimes take on life-threatening proportions.

From an anatomical perspective, the diaphragm is made up of both muscles and tendons. The appearance of the diaphragm is similar to the appearance of a flat plate. This plate separates the chest from the abdomen. In addition, the diaphragm is largely responsible for the flow of breathing.

In the context of diaphragmitis, the breathing of those affected can be significantly impaired. It is not uncommon for diaphragmitis to be accompanied by an elevated diaphragm.

causes

A Diaphragmitis appears relatively rarely these days. Nevertheless, a particularly high level of attention is paid to research into possible causes. According to leading experts, both infectious diseases and mental illnesses are considered a possible cause of the occurrence of diaphragmatic inflammation.

For example, an infectious trichinae infection can lead to considerable damage to the diaphragm. If there is a psychological cause, the nerves in the diaphragm can be irritated to a particularly high degree. This irritation leads to more or less severe hiccups in the first stage of the disease.

In most cases, diaphragmitis is the result of organic deficits. For example, if the stomach has shifted significantly, stomach acid can leak out and irritate the diaphragm to a particularly high degree.

Determining the underlying causes is fundamentally essential. This is the only way to treat diaphragmitis as reliably as possible.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

Diaphragmitis is characterized by very characteristic symptoms. The main symptom is severe pain when breathing. This can lead to shortness of breath. Furthermore, there is an uncomfortable feeling of pressure on the costal arch. This pressure increases when you cough, talk or laugh.

The pain may also radiate into the shoulders. When the mobility of the diaphragm is restricted, the pressure on the abdominal organs increases. This means that in addition to diaphragmatic pain, there may be upper abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness. In addition, fever and other coughing fits are often observed.

Sometimes a fully developed diaphragmatic inflammation is preceded by hiccups. In these cases, there is evidence that the inflammation of the diaphragm is caused by the infection with trichinae (roundworms). Coughing is also one of the typical symptoms of diaphragmatic inflammation. This can occur both as a trigger and as a consequence of the disease.

Chronic coughs from smoking or a stubborn cold often irritate the diaphragm to such an extent that it becomes inflamed. However, inflammation of the diaphragm caused by other causes also often produces a cough. Chronic cough with diaphragm inflammation puts additional stress on the diaphragm. Because with every coughing attack it cramps. This makes the pain even worse. In addition to the diaphragm muscles, the respiratory muscles are also affected.

Diagnosis & course

Unless a first suspicion of a Diaphragmitis a qualified doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. First of all, the specific symptoms of the patient are determined as part of an initial survey.

Following the initial medical interview, the patient's body is thoroughly examined. A special focus is placed on the chest as part of the examination. Among other things, the lungs are monitored and the chest is thoroughly scanned. In order to be able to substantiate an initial suspicion, the creation of an X-ray image is commissioned after the initial examination.

With the use of further imaging procedures, an initial suspicion of diaphragmatic inflammation can be substantiated. In order to clearly determine the extent of the inflammation, a blood sample must be taken from the patient. A comprehensive determination of the leukocytes present in the blood enables an initial conclusion to be drawn about the extent of the diaphragmatic inflammation.

Complications

A typical complication of diaphragmatic inflammation is the thickening of the pleural leaves as a result of the inflammatory process. This so-called pleural rind usually results in restricted lung development and, associated with this, reduced breathing volume. There is also the risk of suppuration of the pleura, which can lead to pneumonia. If this is left untreated, it can lead to death in the worst case.

Furthermore, the typical accompanying symptoms - dry cough, sputum and pain - can develop into serious complications. If a dry cough is not treated promptly, it can cause further irritation of the lungs and occasionally serious injury. Sputum is generally unproblematic, but it is a source of disease and thus increases the risk of a droplet infection.

The treatment of diaphragmitis is usually relatively risk-free. The prescribed antibiotics can possibly cause side effects and lead, for example, to long-lasting headaches, gastrointestinal complaints and skin irritations. Painkillers and antitussive drugs pose similar risks.

If a chest tube is inserted, there is a risk of arteries, veins and nerves being injured. This can lead to permanent discomfort in the affected skin area. Infections and serious muscle injuries cannot be ruled out with such an intervention.

When should you go to the doctor?

Pain or irregular breathing should always be presented to a doctor. These are warning signals from the body and should be followed up immediately. If anxiety, insomnia or restlessness develop due to breathing difficulties, the person concerned needs medical care. A doctor must be consulted to make a diagnosis, as the cause of the disease can only be found using various medical tests.

If you have recurring or long-lasting hiccups, you should also see a doctor. The hiccups are a characteristic signal for an inflammation of the diaphragm. Fever, a feeling of pressure in the chest or pain in the upper abdomen should also be presented to a doctor.

If the existing health impairments when talking, laughing or coughing increase to an immense extent, a doctor is required. If there are behavioral problems, refusal to eat or apathy, there is cause for concern. Consult a doctor as soon as possible if pain occurs during breathing. You should refrain from taking pain reliever medication until you have consulted a doctor. There is a risk of secondary diseases or complications developing. These should be avoided if possible. A feeling of fullness, loss of appetite and impaired locomotion are some of the other complaints that should be presented to a doctor.

Treatment & Therapy

In terms of therapy one Diaphragmitis various antibiotics have proven to be extremely effective. However, since diaphragmitis is associated in most cases with a more or less strong cough], a cough syrup is often used to relieve the symptoms.

Patients are advised to take prescription pain relievers at regular intervals to help relieve pain. As part of the treatment, patients should always allow themselves a high degree of rest. If a patient is resistant to the antibiotics used, enzyme therapy is considered as a further therapeutic method. The naturopathic treatment method uses certain proteins to treat diaphragmatic inflammation.

By using the individual proteins, the patient's metabolism can also be particularly effectively supported. Enzyme therapy can also be used in addition to antibiotic therapy. Despite the numerous therapeutic procedures, people who are at risk of developing diaphragmitis should actively prevent them.

You can find your medication here

prevention

To avoid a Diaphragmitis Leading medical professionals recommend the consistent implementation of regular check-ups. Possible psychological causes, which often irritate the nerves, can often be treated as part of extensive psychotherapy. With regard to possible infection with bacterial pathogens, there are no effective protective mechanisms to date. However, strong defenses can strengthen the body's own protective mechanisms.

Aftercare

Follow-up care proves to be relatively difficult in most cases of diaphragmatic inflammation. For this reason, the person affected should consult a doctor as early as possible and initiate treatment so that there are no complications or other complaints for the person concerned in the further course. The sooner treatment is initiated, the better the further course of this disease will often be.

As a rule, diaphragmitis cannot heal itself. Most of those affected depend on taking various medications to alleviate the symptoms. The person concerned should always pay attention to regular consumption and the correct dosage in order to counteract the symptoms properly.

If you have any questions or questions, a doctor should be contacted. When taking antibiotics, it should also be noted that they should not be taken together with alcohol. After the treatment of the diaphragmatic inflammation, regular check-ups by a doctor are still necessary in order to detect other damage at an early stage. If the disease is detected early, it will in most cases not reduce the patient's life expectancy.

You can do that yourself

The medical treatment of diaphragmatic inflammation can be supported by bed rest and a gentle diet. Warm wraps or cooling pads are recommended for the pain. Herbal teas alleviate the discomfort and improve well-being. In addition, those affected should rest and watch out for unusual symptoms. Exercise should be avoided until the inflammation has subsided.

The inflammation of the diaphragm should have largely subsided within a few days. Then the doctor must be consulted again. The patient should make notes beforehand about any symptoms and inform the doctor extensively about the current constitution. This facilitates the prognosis and further treatment steps. If the outcome is positive, no further self-help measures are required. The patient only has to rest for a few more days until the inflammation has completely subsided. If the complaints recur, regular check-ups are indicated. If necessary, psychotherapy is also useful to prevent irritation of the nerves.

General measures that strengthen the body's own defenses also help. This includes exercise and a healthy diet. In addition, harmful stimuli such as cold drafts or rapid changes between cold and warmth should be avoided. In consultation with the doctor, alternative treatment methods such as a visit to the sauna or remedies from Chinese medicine can be tried.