Let's learn exactly what wheezing is!

Have you ever heard a whistling sound when you breathe, especially when you exhale? You may have experienced this when you have a cold. This is what we medically call wheezing . This may not be a big deal for some people, but sometimes it can be a sign of a serious illness. So, let's talk about this in detail and simply.

What exactly is this wheezing?

Simply put, wheezing is a high-pitched, whistling sound you hear when you breathe. This happens when the airways (breathing passages) in our lungs become blocked for some reason. Think of it like the sound you make when you hold the mouth of a balloon full of air and blow air into it. When our airways are blocked, this sound is made when air escapes through that narrow space.

The main causes of wheezing are conditions such as asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) . It can also be caused by respiratory infections such as bronchitis and various allergies. Sometimes this wheezing sound can be accompanied by a cough. This is because the body is trying to get rid of things like mucus that are blocked in the airways.

What is the difference between wheezing and other similar sounds?

Not all breathing sounds are wheezing. Sometimes you may not hear this sound yourself, but when a doctor puts a stethoscope to your chest, you can hear this sound clearly.

Let's understand the difference between these sounds from the table below.

What are the causes of wheezing?

Wheezing can be caused by many diseases and conditions. Here are some of the main causes:

• Asthma: The airways become swollen and narrow due to excess mucus production.
• COPD: Swelling and tightness caused by damage to the lungs.
• Allergies : Reactions to pollen, dust, animal dander, certain foods, or insect bites.
• Respiratory infections: Infections such as colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
• Something stuck in the airway: Especially in young children, due to swallowing something like a piece of food or a toy.
• GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease ): Infection of the respiratory tract caused by stomach acid coming up into the throat.
• Congestive Heart Failure: Fluid accumulation in the lungs due to impaired heart function.
• Smoking: Smoking or being exposed to cigarette smoke.
• Bronchiolitis: An infection of the small airways in the lungs, especially common among young children .

Learn more about wheezing in young babies.

Wheezing is very common among young children and babies. This is because their airways are very small. Even with a minor cold, those small tubes can become swollen, filled with mucus, and easily blocked.

However, just because your baby has wheezing doesn't necessarily mean he has asthma. Most children outgrow this condition as they get older. That's why doctors usually don't make a definitive diagnosis until a child is 4-5 years old.

How to find the cause of wheezing and treat it?

When you see a doctor, he will run several tests to find the cause.

• They ask you questions (like how long has it been happening? Is it more during the day or at night? Does it come on when you exercise?).
• Listening to the chest with a stethoscope.
• Chest X-ray.
• Respiratory function tests (Breathing tests/Spirometry).
• Checking the oxygen level in the blood.

Treatment depends on the cause of wheezing.

• Emergency treatment: In cases of difficulty breathing, medications such as Albuterol , administered through an inhaler or nebulizer, can quickly open blocked airways. Oxygen or steroids may also be given.
• Long-term treatment:
• For asthma or COPD: Daily inhalers (inhaled steroids) and reliever inhalers (bronchodilators) are prescribed.
• If it is a bacterial infection (bronchitis): Antibiotics will be given.

Ways and exercises to get relief at home

If your wheezing is not severe, meaning you don't have difficulty breathing, you can get relief from these things.

• Increase humidity: Use a humidifier. Or take a hot bath, or close the bathroom door and run a hot shower and inhale the steam.
• Drink something warm: Drinking something warm like tea or soup can help loosen up your airways and loosen sticky mucus.
• Avoid smoking: Stay away from people who smoke.
• Breathing exercises: These can relax the airways and improve lung function.
• Pursed-lip breathing: Breathe in through your nose, purse your lips as if making a whistle, and exhale for twice the time it took to inhale.
• Belly breathing: Breathe in through your nose. Place your hands on your stomach and feel your stomach expand. When you exhale through your mouth, take two to three times longer than you took to inhale. This will reduce chest tightness.

When should you see a doctor?

If it's just a little wheezing that comes with a cold, it will go away once the illness gets better. However, if you have any of the following conditions, you should definitely see a doctor.

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