Wheezing is a term used to describe a high-pitched sound when breathing. This sound is usually heard when exhaling. Wheezing is a symptom of a serious respiratory disorder that requires doctor's help as soon as possible.
Wheezing is characterized by breath sounds like whistling, and can be accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the chest. Wheezing will sound louder and clearer if you close your ears when exhaling. Usually the doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the sound of wheezing.
Causes of Wheezing
Wheezing is caused by constriction and inflammation of the respiratory tract in the throat and leading to the lungs. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the most common causes of wheezing. COPD is a term used for a number of diseases that attack the lungs in the long run. This disease blocks the flow of air from the lungs, so that sufferers will experience shortness of breath.
Asthma and COPD are indeed the most common causes, but any inflammation in the throat or airway can cause wheezing. For example due to allergic reactions, infections, or irritation of the airway. Wheezing can also be caused by factors from outside the body, such as the presence of foreign objects that are accidentally inhaled. Here are the causes of wheezing in full:
- Asthma.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
- Bronchitis.
- Bronchiolitis.
- Inhaled foreign objects.
- Anaphylactic reaction.
- Pneumonia.
- Heart failure.
- Stomach acid disease.
- Vocal fold disorders.
- Sleep apnea.
- Lung cancer.
- Smoke.
Diagnosis of Wheezing
To identify the cause of wheezing, you need to see a doctor. The doctor will ask for a medical history through several questions. Among other things, when usually wheezing recur, how long has the complaint of wheezing felt, and whether wheezing arises after consuming certain foods.
Then the doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the sound of your lungs and your breath. If this is your first time experiencing wheezing, your doctor may recommend additional tests, such as a chest X-ray and a breathing or spirometry test. Other tests such as blood tests and allergy tests may also be done, depending on your history and the results of your doctor's examination.
How to Overcome Wheezing
Medically, the treatment of wheezing depends on the cause. If wheezing is caused by asthma, there are several types of treatment that can be used:
- Fast acting bronchodilators in the form of inhalers (inhaled drugs), to widen the respiratory tract.
- Inhale corticosteroids.
- A combination of inhalers and corticosteroids.
- Asthma control medications to reduce inflammation.
In addition to treatment, one of the most important steps in managing asthma is to avoid the triggers of asthma, so that wheezing complaints and shortness of asthma do not arise.
Whereas if wheezing is caused by bronchitis, doctors will usually give:
- Bronchodilators, to facilitate breathing.
- Antibiotics, if a bacterial infection is found.
For wheezing accompanied by severe shortness of breath and the threat of respiratory failure, the condition needs to be treated immediately by a doctor at the hospital.
The symptoms of wheezing can be relieved by hot steam. You do this by turning on the hot shower until the room is steamy or using a steam generator. However, this method can only relieve and not cure, so it does not prevent wheezing from reappearing.
When to see a doctor?
It is recommended that you see a doctor immediately, especially if you experience the following conditions:
- First time experiencing wheezing.
- Wheezing often recurs.
- Wheezing appears after being bitten by an animal, such as a bee.
- Wheezing appears after taking certain medications or foods.
- Accompanied by severe shortness of breath.
- Wheezing appears after choking on food or foreign objects.
Do not underestimate wheezing, because wheezing can be a symptom of a serious illness. Especially if the wheezing is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath to feel suffocated. This can be a sign of severe asthma or a severe allergic reaction.
- Dizziness, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, and accompanied by severe pain in the chest. This is a symptom of pulmonary embolism.
- Accompanied by fever 38 degrees Celsius or more. Wheezing accompanied by fever is a symptom of infection, such as pneumonia or acute bronchitis.
- Bluish skin and lips (cyanosis). This condition indicates decreased oxygen levels in the blood due to severe respiratory distress.
As mild as any wheezing symptoms, this is still an abnormal indication in the respiratory tract. If left untreated, wheezing symptoms can potentially cause respiratory failure which can lead to death. Therefore, if there are signs of respiratory distress in the form of wheezing, immediately consult a doctor.
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