Dyspnoea in General Medicine: Diaphragm Paresis in a Patient with Bronchial Asthma

Objective of the Paper: To demonstrate peculiar properties of dyspnoea, challenges with diagnosis and functional contribution of herpetic (Herpes zoster) and post-traumatic diaphragm paresis (DP) to respiratory disorders in a patient with bronchial asthma (BA). Key Points. We described peculiar properties of dyspnoea in DP in a patient with BA. Functional contribution from DP was measured using spirometric methods: reduction in lung capacity and forced vital capacity by more than 35% when the patient body position became horizontal. Combined DP genesis caused incomplete recovery of phrenic nerve during follow-up. Conclusion. In unspecified dyspnoea, a GP should be vigilant and should check diaphragm function. In diagnosis of DP, X-ray, ultrasound and functional examinations are of utmost importance. Keywords: dyspnoea, diaphragm paresis, bronchial asthma, shingles.