The thoracic diaphragm is formed of two muscles, whose innervations derive from the cervical spine areas 3 4 5 ('C3 4 5, keep the diaphragm alive'); the port (left) side lung shares some of its space with the heart and is therefore smaller than the starboard (right) side lung. The ALS regression need not be symmetrical and, as many patients know, one side may be affected before the other. Such is possible for the thoracic diaphragm, as was shown in one case during Dr. Onders's presentation in Greece last year. Since the starboard side lung is larger, one might be better off were any affects to occur at all, they would occur on the port lung side initially.

You've most likely dropped a bottle or can of soda at some point of time and discovered opening same soon after may result in foamy liquid bursting out of the container. I wonder if patting an ALS patient on the back might have a similar effect. If you have picked up a baby because it was crying and placed the baby over your shoulder, the baby soon stops crying possibly because of the carbon dioxide build-up. . . .