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What Causes Abdominal Pain And Fatigue Post An Injury?
Question: Hi there, 2 months ago my husband was working on a car and was accidently crushed breaking 11 ribs in the front and 2 in the back. He was in ICU for 5 days experiencing cardiac and pulmonary episodes. One of my biggest concerns that went unacknowledged was his incredibly swollen abdomen. The swelling eventually went down some but he has had more trouble with the abdominal pain & swelling, hiccups, throat/thyroid inflammation, mucus plugs, shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue. We understand that he had a major injury and it will take time to heal. He had RA, COPD(not form smoking), and minor thyroid issues. His belly is so very hard and even when he is at rest and relaxed it stays the same. He's had trouble digesting food and his throat feeling constricted and now has had the hiccups for 3 days straight. My question is this? Could he have damaged his diaphragm when he was crushed and they missed it and if so, will it heal on it's own?
Brief Answer:
MAY BE A DIAPHRAGMATIC INJURY
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting the question.
I have gone through your medical history in detail.
Yes,you are right.
There seems to be an underlying diaphragmatic injury.
As the rib injury was major,the diagphragmatic injury may have gone unnoticed.
A CT abdomen with contrast or an MRI needs to be done to confirm the diagnosis.
If the probable diagphragmatic injury that occured was a major one,then it is less likely that it may heal spontaneously on its own.
(A minor injury to the diaphragm usually heals spontaneously on its own.)
I hope the answer was useful.
Do let me know once the reports are ready so that i can guide you further.
Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.
Thank you.
Kind regards.
MAY BE A DIAPHRAGMATIC INJURY
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting the question.
I have gone through your medical history in detail.
Yes,you are right.
There seems to be an underlying diaphragmatic injury.
As the rib injury was major,the diagphragmatic injury may have gone unnoticed.
A CT abdomen with contrast or an MRI needs to be done to confirm the diagnosis.
If the probable diagphragmatic injury that occured was a major one,then it is less likely that it may heal spontaneously on its own.
(A minor injury to the diaphragm usually heals spontaneously on its own.)
I hope the answer was useful.
Do let me know once the reports are ready so that i can guide you further.
Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.
Thank you.
Kind regards.
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Answered by
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