Wheezing Health Article

Definition

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound associated with labored breathing.

Description

Wheezing occurs when a person tries to breathe deeply through air passages (bronchia) that are narrowed because of muscle contractions or filled with mucus as a result of: allergy, infection, illness, or irritation. Wheezing is experienced by 10-15% of the population.

Wheezing most commonly occurs when a person is exhaling. It is sometimes accompanied by a mild sensation of tightness in the chest. Anxiety about not being able to breathe easily can cause muscle tension that makes the wheezing worse.

Causes & symptoms

Wheezing is the symptom most associated with asthma. It can be aggravated by dry air and high altitude. A 2001 study also found a connection between nighttime wheezing/asthma and gastroesophageal reflux, or the flow of stomach acid backward into the lower part of the esophagus. Wheezing can be caused by:

• exposure to allergens (food, pollen, and other substances that cause a person to have an allergic reaction)
• fumes
• ice-cold drinks, or very cold air
• medication
• strenuous exercise
• weather changes
• foreign objects trapped in the airway
• cystic fibrosis and other genetic disorders
• respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, bronchitis, congestive heart failure, and emphysema

The symptoms of wheezing are: labored breathing, whistling sound upon breathing, shortness of breath, and a tight or heavy feeling in the chest.

Medical emergencies

Breathing problems can be life-threatening. Immediate medical attention is required whenever a person:

• turns blue or gray and stops breathing
• becomes extremely short of breath, and is unable to speak
• coughs up bubbly pink or white phlegm
• seems to be suffocating
• develops a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
• wheezes most of the time, and coughs up gray or greenish phlegm

Diagnosis

A family physician, allergist, or pulmonary specialist takes a medical history that includes questions about allergies, or unexplained symptoms that may be the result of allergic reactions. If the pattern of the patient's symptoms suggests the existence of allergy, skin and blood tests are performed to identify the precise nature of the problem.

A pulmonary function test may be ordered to measure the amount of air moving through the patient's breathing passages. X rays are sometimes indicated for patients whose wheezing seems to be caused by chronic bronchitis or emphysema.