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A wheeze is a clinical symptom of a continuous, coarse, whistling sound produced in the respiratory airways during breathing. [1] For wheezes to occur, part of the respiratory tree must be narrowed or obstructed (for example narrowing of the lower respiratory tract in an asthmatic attack), or airflow velocity within the respiratory tree must be heightened.
It causes difficulty in breathing which ranges from mild to severe. Bronchospasms occur in asthma , chronic bronchitis and anaphylaxis . Bronchospasms are a possible side effect of some drugs: pilocarpine , beta blockers (used to treat hypertension), a paradoxical result of using LABA drugs (to treat COPD ), and other drugs.
It can be inspiratory, expiratory or biphasic, although it is usually heard during inspiration. Inspiratory stridor often occurs in children with croup. It may be indicative of serious airway obstruction from severe conditions such as epiglottitis, a foreign body lodged in the airway, or a laryngeal tumor. Stridor should always command ...
The sounds resemble snoring. "Rhonchi" is the plural form of the singular word "rhonchus". [8] Stridor: Wheeze-like sound heard when a person breathes. Usually it is due to a blockage of airflow in the windpipe (trachea) or in the back of the throat. [10] Wheezing: High-pitched sounds produced by narrowed airways.
Similarly, examination may reveal wheezing and prolonged expiratory phase, or may be quite normal. Consequently, a potential for under-diagnosis exists. Measurement of airflow, such as peak expiratory flow rates, which can be done inexpensively on the track or sideline, may prove helpful.
COPD is defined as a forced expiratory volume in 1 second divided by the forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) that is less than 0.7 (or 70%). [8] The residual volume, the volume of air left in the lungs following full expiration, is often increased in COPD, as is the total lung capacity, while the vital capacity remains relatively normal.
A PCP will ask questions in regards to symptoms and breathing; they will also ask if fatigue or wheezing has been experienced when breathing in or out; and also test using a peak expiratory flow and an oxygen saturation. Status asthmaticus can be misdiagnosed when wheezing occurs from an acute cause other than asthma. Some of these alternative ...
The causes of upper airway obstructions can be acute or chronic. Acute causes of upper airway obstruction include foreign body aspiration, blunt trauma to the neck, infection, and swelling due to allergies or other inflammatory conditions. [3] In children, viral infections such as croup or epiglottitis are frequent causes. [4]