When you breathe, especially when you exhale, do you hear a low, whistling sound coming from your chest? Sometimes, it can be a bit scary when you hear this sound along with your cough? Many people have experienced this. In medical terms, we call it 'wheezing'. This is actually a sound that occurs when the small airways in our lungs become narrow for some reason, causing air to pass through them. So today, let's talk about what causes this, how a doctor diagnoses it, and what are the treatments for it.
How does a doctor find the cause of wheezing?
The best thing to do when you have a chest noise like this is to see a doctor. Because this is just a symptom, the most important thing is to find the cause. Here are some things the doctor will do when he sees you.
1. Asking you questions:
First, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms. Consider asking questions like these:
- "When did this noise start?"
- "Do you feel a cough, a sore throat, or a tightness in your chest along with this?"
- "When does this increase? When exposed to dust? When it's cold? When exercising ?"
- "Does anyone in your family have asthma ?"
- "Does this happen after eating certain foods? Or does it happen at the same time of year (for example, when flowers are in bloom)?"
These questions can give your doctor a good idea of whether you have an allergy , asthma , or another problem.
2. Physical examination:
Next, the doctor will place a stethoscope on your chest and listen carefully. This will help you determine exactly where in your lungs the sound is coming from and how severe it is.
3. Special tests :
Depending on your symptoms and history, your doctor may recommend several more tests.
- Spirometry: This involves you breathing in and out into a small machine. It can measure how well your lungs are working and how narrow your airways are.
- Chest X-ray : This helps to see if there is another problem, such as an infection in the lungs.
- Blood Tests: Sometimes blood tests are done to check for infections or allergies.
- Allergy Tests: If you suspect you have an allergy, you can get a skin test or blood test to confirm it.
Remember, it can be dangerous to take medication on your own without properly diagnosing the cause of your wheezing. Always consult your doctor for advice.
What are the treatments for wheezing?
Treatment depends on the cause of your wheezing. That's why it's important to find the cause first. Here's a look at treatments for some common causes.
If you are wheezing due to asthma
Asthma is a condition in which the airways in the lungs become swollen, sensitive, and easily narrowed. Your doctor may prescribe medications like these to treat this condition.
| Type of treatment | What happens to it? | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Fast-acting inhalers | When you have a cough or chest tightness, it widens your airways and provides quick relief. This is also called a 'Reliever' inhaler. | Albuterol (Ventolin), Levalbuterol (Xopenex) |
| Controller Inhalers | These are used daily to reduce inflammation in the airways and control asthma. This is also called a 'Preventer'. | Beclomethasone (Qvar), Budesonide (Pulmicort), Fluticasone (Flovent) |
| Combination Inhalers | This combines a medication that controls breathing and a long-acting medication that widens the airways. | Budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort), Fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair) |
| Controller Pills | In addition to inhalers, your doctor may also recommend pills that reduce swelling in the airways. | Montelukast (Singulair), Zafirlukast (Accolate) |
| Allergy medications (Antihistamines) | If your asthma is caused by allergies, you may be given allergy-control pills or nasal sprays. | Pills: Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Loratadine (Claritin) Sprays: Fluticasone (Flonase), Mometasone (Nasonex) |
If wheezing is caused by an infection like bronchitis
Sometimes, when a cold becomes severe, an infection of the airways in the lungs (Acute Bronchitis) can develop. Wheezing can also occur. This usually goes away on its own when the infection clears up.
- For difficulty breathing: Your doctor may give you a quick-acting inhaler (e.g. Albuterol) for a short period of time to help you get relief.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics are not usually given for viral infections. However, antibiotics are only given if you have another lung condition or if the doctor suspects that this is a bacterial infection.
What to do in an emergency?
Things like extreme difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, or blue lips or fingernails are emergencies. In such cases, call an ambulance immediately or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) . There, the medical team will provide you with the following treatments to give you quick relief.
| Emergency treatment | Description |
|---|---|
| An epinephrine injection | To quickly open severely congested airways. |
| Providing oxygen | To maintain the oxygen levels needed by the body. |
| Corticosteroid injections | To quickly reduce severe swelling in the airways. (e.g. Methylprednisolone) |
| Nebulizer treatment | Vaporizing a medicinal liquid and inhaling it deeply provides quick relief. |
| Connecting to a breathing machine (Mechanical Ventilator) | In the most severe cases, if the patient is unable to breathe on their own, breathing is provided with the help of a machine. |
Take-Home Message
- Wheezing is a symptom, not a disease. It is essential to find the underlying cause.
- Asthma and allergies are two of the most common causes of wheezing.
- If you have wheezing, be sure to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
- A situation where breathing becomes very difficult and the voice becomes so loud that you can't speak is an emergency. Go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- Avoid using someone else's inhaler or taking medication without a doctor's advice. The treatment you receive will be specific to your condition.
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