controller medications (which work on easing swelling and mucus in airways).

quick-relief medications (used at the first sign of symptoms, such as wheezing).AsthmaĪsthma cannot be cured, but it can be managed with: These medications typically come in the form of inhalers, but they’re also available as liquid medication used via nebulizers. When it comes to certain lung conditions, prescription anti-inflammatory medications can decrease inflammation and excess mucus in the airways. Lifestyle factorsīecause wheezing is almost always a symptom of an underlying condition, treating it usually involves treating the condition. People with both asthma and GERD may notice an increase in their wheezing when their GERD flares up. This chronic acid reflux can worsen asthma symptoms by irritating the airways and lungs. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is chronic acid reflux, is often closely associated with asthma. This wheezing is typically caused by fluid buildup in the lungs. Heart failure can cause wheezing or a “breathless” feeling. You should call 911 or your local emergency services if you begin to experience anaphylaxis symptoms, such as: The allergy symptoms you experience depend on the type of thing you’re allergic to, such as pollen or pet dander.Īnaphylaxis, which is an acute and serious allergic reaction, may also cause wheezing. A few symptoms of this issue are:Įven if you don’t have asthma, allergies can cause you to feel like you’re short of breath. Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD), which is often confused for asthma, is a condition in which the vocal cords don’t open correctly. Wheezing is also a symptom of pneumonia, an infection in the tissue of the lungs. A symptom of this is wheezing.īronchitis, which is an infection in the main airways of the lungs, can cause wheezing. Wheezing and breathlessness are two symptoms of COPD.Ĭystic fibrosis is a disease that affects the exocrine glands and can cause fluid buildup in the lungs. Most people with COPD are older and are living with it due to smoking. Lung issuesĬhronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the blanket term for specific lung diseases, including emphysema (which is damaged air sacs in the lungs) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lungs). But wheezing can be caused by a variety of other issues.

You may also be asked to perform a breathing test.One of the most common causes of wheezing is asthma, which is when there is a swelling or narrowing of the throat or the airways to your lungs.

epiglottitis, which is a condition where the tissues surrounding your windpipes are inflamedĪ doctor may use a chest X-ray to diagnose what’s causing your wheezing when it occurs for the first time.

bronchiolitis, which is an infection that causes inflammation in the smallest air passages in your lungs called bronchioles.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of lung diseases that can affect your breathing and airflow.

respiratory tract infection, such as pneumonia.

bronchitis, which is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes.

Most of these conditions have a spectrum of severity from mild to life threatening.Ĭauses that can potentially be more severe may include: The whistling sound occurs when air is pushed through narrowed airways. Wheezing is often caused by inflammation in your throat or lungs. Like wheezing, it can occur when you breathe in, out, or both. Stridor, a higher-pitched sound, can indicate an obstruction in or below the voice box. When inspiratory wheezing is heard over the neck, this indicates a narrowing in the large, upper airways in the neck. Inspiratory wheezing often accompanies expiratory wheezing when heard over the lungs, specifically in an acute exacerbation of asthma. To diagnose the type of wheezing, a doctor typically uses a stethoscope to hear if it’s loudest over your lungs or neck. You can have either expiratory wheezing, inspiratory wheezing, or both. Inspiratory wheezing occurs when you inhale. If the airway is very reduced, breathing may be silent and not produce a wheezing sound. Your peak expiratory flow rate measures how fast you can exhale. It commonly occurs with conditions like asthma but can have other causes.Įxpiratory wheezing may indicate that your peak expiratory flow rate is reduced. If wheezing is loud enough, you may be able to hear it without using a stethoscope.Įxpiratory wheezing often indicates narrowing in the small airways or a mild blockage in all or part of your airway, known as an airway obstruction. Some wheezing may require a stereoscope to detect. There are two types of wheezing - inspiratory (when you inhale, or breathe in) and expiratory (when you exhale, or breathe out).

High pitched lung sounds