Breathing difficulty Health Article

Definition

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing. It occurs when air flows through narrowed breathing tubes.

Alternative Names

Sibilant rhonchi

Considerations

Wheezing is a sign that a person may be having breathing problems. The sound of wheezing is most obvious when breathing out (exhaling), but may be heard when taking a breath (inhaling).
Wheezing most often comes from the small breathing tubes (bronchial tubes) deep in the chest, but it may be due to a blockage in larger airways or in persons with certain vocal cord problems.

Common Causes

• Asthma
• Breathing a foreign object into the lungs
• Bronchiectasis
• Bronchiolitis
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema (COPD), especially when a respiratory infection is present
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Heart failure (cardiac asthma)
• Insect sting that causes an allergic reaction
• Medications (particularly aspirin)
• Pneumonia
• Smoking
• Viral infection, especially in infants younger than age 2

Home Care

Take all of your medications, especially respiratory inhalers, as directed.
Sitting in an area where there is moist, heated air may help relieve some symptoms. This can be done running a hot shower or by using a vaporizer.

Call your health care provider if

Call your health care provider if:

• Wheezing occurs for the first time
• Wheezing occurs with significant shortness of breath, bluish skin, confusion, or mental status changes
• Wheezing keeps occuring without explanation
• Wheezing is caused by an allergic reaction to a bite or medication

If wheezing is severe or occurs with severe shortness of breath, you may have to go directly to the nearest emergency department.