Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentDiagnosisWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Diagnosis
When to See a Provider
Wheezing happens when the breathing tubes in the lungs are narrowed. Wheezing is usually described as breathing that produces a high-pitched whistling sound.
An asthma attack is a common cause of wheezing. Other causes include respiratory infections like influenza (flu) or pneumonia,bronchitis(inflammation of the airways), allergic reactions, and smoking.
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When to Seek Emergency Medical AttentionWith wheezing, emergency care is advised if:The wheezing is severe.A person is wheezing for the first time.The wheezing includes significant breathing difficulty, bluish skin, confusion, or changes in mental states.The wheezing occurs regularly.The wheezing is a response to an allergen.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
With wheezing, emergency care is advised if:The wheezing is severe.A person is wheezing for the first time.The wheezing includes significant breathing difficulty, bluish skin, confusion, or changes in mental states.The wheezing occurs regularly.The wheezing is a response to an allergen.
With wheezing, emergency care is advised if:
What Does Wheezing Sound Like?
Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling when breathing out, breathing in, or both. It may occur with other symptoms, such as:
What is a wheezing cough?A wheezing cough is a cough that produces a high-pitched whistling sound.
What is a wheezing cough?
A wheezing cough is a cough that produces a high-pitched whistling sound.
Causes of Wheezing
Wheezing can be a symptom of:
Other causes of wheezing include:
Certain chronic lung conditions can also cause wheezing, such as:
What Medications Can Cause Wheezing?
Several medications can cause an asthma attack, including:
Allergic reactions can also cause wheezing. Common drug allergies that might cause wheezing include:
Wheezing Treatment
Some of the medications and therapies that your healthcare provider might recommend to treat severe wheezing include:
At-Home Treatments for WheezingIf you have a wheezy chest or cough due to a minor illness, you may be able to manage it at home with the following strategies:Sit in a warm, humid environment, like a steamy shower or with a vaporizer.Avoid smoking or smoky environments.Avoid allergens like pollen.Drink warm fluids.Avoid cold and dry air.Try breathing exercises.
At-Home Treatments for Wheezing
If you have a wheezy chest or cough due to a minor illness, you may be able to manage it at home with the following strategies:Sit in a warm, humid environment, like a steamy shower or with a vaporizer.Avoid smoking or smoky environments.Avoid allergens like pollen.Drink warm fluids.Avoid cold and dry air.Try breathing exercises.
If you have a wheezy chest or cough due to a minor illness, you may be able to manage it at home with the following strategies:
To determine the cause of wheezing that doesn’t respond to at-home treatment, a healthcare provider might do the following:
At a hospital, treatment might include:
Will wheezing go away on its own?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See a healthcare provider if a case of wheezing:
Wheezing can require emergency care when:
Summary
Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound that happens with breathing. It usually occurs during an asthma attack, a lung illness, or when a foreign object reaches the lungs. Allergic reactions, smoking, acid reflux disease, and heart failure can also cause wheezing.
Diagnosing the cause behind a case of wheezing might require a physical examination, chest X-rays, lung exams, and blood tests.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine.Wheezing.
National Library of Medicine.Asthma.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma.
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Drug allergies.
National Library of Medicine.Epinephrine injection.
NHS.Asthma attacks.
McCallum K.When should I worry about wheezing?On Health.
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