In some patients, lesions from intracranial haemorrhage may affect the ergic reflex centre, causing abnormal discharges in the nerves that control diaphragmatic contraction, resulting in spastic contractions of the diaphragm. In addition, stroke can trigger stress ulcers that cause bleeding in the stomach, irritating the gastric mucosa and triggering flatulence or stomach cramps that spill over into the diaphragm.