Lung Condition Symptoms: Wheezing

Pulmonary issues can be extremely frustrating and debilitating, and millions in the United States suffer. Over 25 million people in the United States have asthma, and more than 12 million are diagnosed with COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Wheezing is a common symptom of various pulmonary issues, so if you are experiencing wheezing, it is vital to understand the cause and explore treatment options with a medical professional. There are many treatments available that can help improve your quality of life. 

Keep reading to learn more about wheezing and how to get relief.

If you’ve ever experienced wheezing, you know those whistly, rattly sounds coming from your lungs. The ones that sound like your airway just won’t open all the way, like you can’t get all the mucus out, and can sometimes scare people away! 

People who wheeze can hear the sound, and others can too, whether they breathe in or out, yet it tends to sound different depending on which way it’s going. Medical experts say how a particular wheeze sounds is quite telling. “Narrowing in the upper respiratory system may make for a hoarser wheeze [and] lower obstructions may have a more musical tone, similar to a how a wind instrument like a clarinet might sound.” This is why it’s especially important to seek medical advice from a physician, especially a pulmonary specialist, to determine the root cause of the wheezing. 

Wheezing is a common problem for people with pulmonary issues. It is often caused by bronchospasms, which are sudden constrictions of the airways in the lungs. Wheezing can also be caused by other medical conditions, such as asthma, post nasal drip, pneumonia, allergies, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and cystic fibrosis. It can also occur due to heart failure and certain types of cancer. 

And then, lifestyle choices cause wheezing, such as excessive smoking or being around those who smoke often. 

No matter what you think the cause of your wheezing is, confirm with a doctor to get started with the most appropriate treatment.

Whether you have experienced wheezing for some time or it is a new occurrence and unexplained, you might be wondering when you should seek help. Many people ignore symptoms and put them on the back burner because of their hectic lives. Too many of them think symptoms will ease up or go away, and consequentially too many wait too long to get help from a doctor. 

The following signs and symptoms of wheezing mean you need to see a physician: 

• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Rapid breathing
• Loss of voice
• Chronic coughing

Seek emergency care if wheezing combines with severe difficulty breathing or bluish skin color. Chest tightness and pain also warrant an emergency call. 

Don’t wait to take your health and wellness seriously.

Wheezing can make it difficult to breathe and can be quite uncomfortable and sometimes frightening. Various treatments are available for wheezing, depending on the underlying cause. Some people may require medication or hospitalization, while others may only need to modify their lifestyle slightly. Understanding the different treatment options is essential to relieving this bothersome symptom.

A study posted in the National Library of Medicine details the diagnostic steps that might be necessary to understand the root cause of wheezing, which is the first step toward healing. 

The first imaging test of choice in a patient with wheezing is a chest x-ray to look for a foreign body or a lesion in the central airway. In the non-acute setting, if asthma is suspected, the next step is to obtain baseline pulmonary function tests with bronchodilator administration. Following this, it may be necessary to perform an airway challenge test with a bronchoconstrictive agent such as methacholine. If the wheezing resolves with a bronchodilation agent, a tumor or mass as the cause is a much less likely consideration. If there is no resolution after a breathing treatment, and a tumor or mass is suspected, then a CT scan of the chest and bronchoscopy may be required if possible malignancy is suspected on CT.

Once diagnosed, patients can get treatment. The overall outcome someone with chronic wheezing might find depends on the underlying cause. With that being said, there is no fix-all solution. 

Some options patients have are medication and immunotherapy. 

They can also do things at home to help the situation, such as practicing breathing exercises, investing in air filters and a humidifier, and drinking warm teas. Changing up the living or work environment to get away from triggers can be helpful for many people. Lastly, lifestyle changes need to happen, like quitting smoking.

Despite how long it’s been occurring, wheezing is a cause for alarm and shouldn’t be blown off. There are many reasons why someone might experience wheezing, including chronic conditions and the common cold. But if you identify with any of the signs and symptoms we mentioned, it’s time to seek medical help from a pulmonologist, such as those with the Gwinnett Pulmonary Group. With an accurate diagnosis, you can get the right treatment plan and return to your life.