FAQs on Wheezing:
What is wheezing?
Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound that a person makes when breathing. It can be a symptom of breathing problems and/or respiratory illness. Wheezing can be linked to asthma, bronchitis, COPD, hay fever and bronchospasm.
Common Causes of Wheezing
Wheezing is caused by constricted, blocked or narrowed airways in the lungs. Recurrent wheezing is most often caused by asthma. Below are some other common causes of wheezing.
- asthma
- anaphalaxis
- bronchitis
- inhaled foreign object
- COPD
- lung tumor/cancer
- sleep apnea
- pneumonia
- smoking
- RSV
Common Symptoms of Wheezing
The following are common symptoms of wheezing.
- musical whistling sounds when breathing
- tightening in the chest
- high-pitched sound when exhaling
Diagnosis and Treatment
An allergist or healthcare provider can diagnose wheezing with a physical examination and a review of your medical history.The doctor may suggest lung function testing, spirometry and other diagnostic testing such as a chest x-ray.
Treatment of wheezing depends on the cause and symptoms being experienced.
