Wheezing

Alternative names:

sibilant rhonchi

Definition:

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound produced by air flowing through narrowed breathing tubes. Rales are abnormal breath sounds heard through a stethoscope. Rhonchi are abnormal breath sounds heard through a stethoscope that sound similar to snoring. Also see breathing sounds, abnormal.

Considerations:

The clinical importance of wheezing is that it is an indicator of difficult breathing. In a child with a respiratory infection, wheezing may occur before shortness of breath is noticed.

Wheezing is most obvious when exhaling (breathing out) but may be present when inhaling (breathing in) and exhaling.

Wheezing comes from the bronchial tubes (breathing tubes deep in the chest), in contrast to croupy, crowing, or whooping sounds that come from the trachea and larynx (voice box in the neck).

Common causes:

• asthma
• bronchiectasis
• bronchiolitis
• bronchitis
• gastroesophageal reflux disease
• viral infection, especially in infants younger than 2 years old
• pneumonia
• emphysema (COPD), especially when a respiratory infection is present
• smoking
• insect sting which causes an allergic reaction
• medications--many asthmatics wheeze after taking aspirin
• inhalation of foreign matter into the lungs
• allergic rhinitis
• allergies (including food allergies)
• tuberculosis (TB)

Note: There may be other causes of wheezing. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for wheezing, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.