Diagnosis of a paralyzed diaphragm usually begins with a physical exam. The doctor asks the patient to lie flat and observes their breathing. If a person has a paralyzed diaphragm, their abdominal wall will move inwards when they breathe in, whereas it should move outwards. This is known as paradoxical motion. Further tests can confirm the diagnosis, including lung function tests, chest x-rays, and ultrasound scans to view the movement of the diaphragm and check for changes in muscle thickness.

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