Wheezing

Wheezing may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Wheezing when breathing may also involve symptoms that affect other body systems.

Wheezing may accompany other symptoms that affect the respiratory system including:

• Chest pain that may worsen with breathing or coughing

• Cough that may be dry or produce mucus or phlegm and may worsen with time

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Hoarseness or laryngitis

• Rapid breathing

• Stuffy or runny nose

Wheezing may accompany symptoms that affect other body systems including:

• Changes in heart rate

• Fatigue

• Flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, headache and sore throat

• Indigestion or heartburn

• Leg pain or swelling

• Sleep problems or night sweats

• Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite

In some cases, wheezing can be life-threatening. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for wheezing that occurs with any of these potentially life-threatening symptoms:

• Bluish discoloration of the lips or fingernails

• Changes in consciousness or alertness

• Coughing up blood

• Rapid heart rate

• Shortness of breath, labored breathing, difficulty breathing, or choking

• Sudden swelling of the face, lips or throat

Wheezing can occur when narrowed airways reduce airflow or the lungs become congested. Various respiratory diseases, disorders and conditions can cause this. But other body systems can affect the lungs and airways as well.

Asthma and COPD are two of the most common causes of wheezing. Other possible causes include:

• Allergies and allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis

• Bronchiectasis (damage and widening of the large airways) and bronchiolitis (swelling of the smallest airways)

• Certain medications, such as aspirin, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, and beta-blockers

• Epiglottitis (life-threatening inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis, a tissue flap between the tongue and windpipe)

• Foreign body in the windpipe or airway

• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

• Heart failure

• Infections and inflammation, including bronchitis, croup and pneumonia

• Lung cancer and tumors

• Smoking

• Toxic inhalation of irritants, such as chlorine or ammonia vapors

Wheezing can affect anyone at any stage of life. However, babies may be more likely to develop wheezing due to their small airways. Babies and toddlers are also prone to viral respiratory infections, especially RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Smaller airways in children make them more likely to have wheezing symptoms with asthma. In adults, wheezing is more common in smokers and people with COPD or heart failure.

You may be able to lower your risk of wheezing by:

• Stopping smoking

• Treating underlying medical conditions that can lead to wheezing

• Wearing protective masks when handling potentially toxic chemicals

If you are at risk of developing wheezing due to a medical condition, regular medical care is an important part of your treatment plan. Seeing your doctor on a routine basis can help nip potential problems before they become serious.

Because wheezing can be a sign of something serious, it’s important to see a doctor for a diagnosis. Don’t ignore persistent wheezing or try to treat it yourself. Seeking a prompt diagnosis can help you manage and eliminate wheezing safely.

To diagnose the cause of wheezing, doctors will perform a physical exam and review your medical history. Your healthcare provider may ask you several questions about your symptoms, including:

• When did your wheezing start?

• Does anything seem to trigger your wheezing?

• Do any other symptoms occur with wheezing, such as chest pain or coughing?

• Does anything help improve or reduce your wheezing?

• Have you been diagnosed with any chronic conditions, such as COPD?

The physical exam will include listening to your heart and lungs and taking a pulse oximetry on the tip of your finger. Pulse oximetry measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. It’s a painless test that tells your doctor how efficiently oxygen is moving from your lungs to your blood.

Your doctor may also order blood tests, a chest X-ray, or lung function tests.

Since wheezing is a symptom of another problem, your doctor will need to treat the underlying cause. Treatment of two of the most common causes—asthma and COPD—usually involves inhalers. This may include using a bronchodilator inhaler to open airways and an inhaled corticosteroid to reduce inflammation. Short-term use of inhalers can also help treat bronchitis and other respiratory infections.

Additional treatments will depend on the condition that is causing or contributing to wheezing. For example, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for bacterial respiratory infections or acid-blocking drugs for GERD.

When the underlying problem causes serious breathing problems and lack of oxygen, hospitalization may be necessary. Supplemental oxygen and IV (intravenous) medicines can support breathing while your doctor gets your condition under control.

For people who can remain at home, doctors may suggest using moist air to help relieve wheezing. This may involve using a cool-mist humidifier or a steam vaporizer. But even a simple hot shower can provide the humidity you need. Drinking plenty of fluids can also help relieve chest congestion and wheezing. Talk with your doctor about the best strategy for easing your wheezing.

Because wheezing can be due to serious diseases, failure to seek treatment can result in severe complications. Once you know the underlying diagnosis, it is important to follow the treatment plan your doctor recommends. This is the best way to avoid potential complications, such as disease progression, lung damage, or even death.