Diaphragm Spasms Causes and Associated Factors

Mechanical and Structural Causes

Traumatic diaphragmatic injury from blunt or penetrating trauma can create defects that alter normal contractile patterns, as reported by the World Journal of Emergency Surgery 2, 3, 4
Diaphragm contusion (AAST Grade I injury) can cause localized dysfunction, according to the World Journal of Emergency Surgery 2
Lacerations of varying severity (Grades II-V) disrupt normal muscle architecture and function, as noted by the World Journal of Emergency Surgery 2

Malnutrition causes respiratory muscle weakness and susceptibility to diaphragmatic fatigue, increasing the risk of abnormal contractions, as reported by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 1
Decreased renal excretion of water causes increased lung water and altered respiratory mechanics that stress the diaphragm, according to the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 1
Cardiac dysfunction leading to increased lung water can increase airway resistance and diaphragmatic workload, as noted by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 1

Gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration cause pulmonary inflammation and bronchospasm, which can secondarily affect diaphragmatic function, as reported by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 1
Esophageal spasms can be confused with diaphragmatic dysfunction when measuring pressures, according to the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 5, 6