Does Wheezing Sound Mean Asthma ?

When we hear the word wheezing we always relate it to asthma, as we assume that wheezing is always caused by asthma. But wheezing is often caused by several other reasons as well other than asthma.

What is wheezing?

Wheezing is a high-pitched, rough sound that occurs when your breathing is partially blocked or restricted. Wheezing can sometimes indicate breathing difficulties caused by a health condition, but it can also happen in response to dust in the air or as a result of a cold. 

How to know if it’s wheezing? What does it sound like?

Some wheezing sounds can only be detected with a stethoscope, but often, you can hear them without any assistance. The sound can change depending on which part of your airways is blocked or narrowed. A blocked upper airway might produce a harsher wheeze, while a narrowed lower airway may create a sound that’s more melodic, similar to the tone of a wind instrument like a clarinet. 

How common is wheezing?

Wheezing can affect people of all ages, from infants to older adults. Wheezing is more common in adults who smoke or who suffer from diseases like heart failure or emphysema.  

Wheezing is more common in infants, with up to 25% to 30% of babies experiencing it in their first year. This is often due to their smaller airways. Youngsters under the age of two are also more susceptible to wheezing due to their increased risk of upper respiratory viral infections. 

Adults and children with asthma or allergies may also be at a higher risk for wheezing. 

What to do if you have wheezing?

At any age, wheezing is a common symptom of a number of lung and airway disorders. The severity of the underlying conditions can differ. Wheezing is often accompanied by other respiratory symptoms, with coughing being the most common. In some cases, more serious symptoms like difficulty breathing may also occur. 

When breathing becomes difficult due to wheezing, what should you do?

Breathing difficulty can include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or trouble catching your breath. If you experience any of these and don’t have clear guidance on what to do, see a doctor right away. 

When you have wheezing with other serious signs?

If you experience any unsettling symptoms, like chest pain or blood in your cough. It’s critical to consult a physician immediately. A severe asthma attack that causes breathing difficulties or bluish skin is one of the emergency causes of wheezing. In these circumstances, immediately call for an ambulance and proceed to the hospital. If asthma becomes very severe, the wheezing may stop because there isn’t enough air moving through the airways to create the sound. 

What are the common causes of asthma?

The narrowing of the small bronchial tubes in the chest is typically the cause of wheezing. It can also happen if there’s a blockage in the larger airways or vocal cords. The causes of wheezing can vary from chronic conditions like asthma to more serious issues like heart failure. 

Wheezing can be triggered by many factors, including medical conditions, infections or viruses, and lifestyle choices. 

• Asthma:

Asthma is a long-term condition that causes spasms and swelling in the bronchial tubes. Exposure to airborne allergens like pollen, mold, or dust can trigger wheezing in people with asthma. 

• Bronchiolitis:

A virus that is most common in young children and causes inflammation and irritation in their airways. 

• COPD:

Inflammation and damage to the lining of the bronchial tubes, usually caused by smoking cigarettes. 

• Pneumonia:

Lung inflammation caused by a virus or bacteria. Other viral infections can also lead to wheezing, particularly in infants and toddlers.

• Issues with vocal cord:

When you breathe in and out, VCD causes your vocal cords to close rather than open, making it more difficult for air to enter or exit your lungs. 

How is the wheezing cause diagnosed?

The wheezing and any other symptoms you may be experiencing will probably be the subject of questions from your doctor. They will also examine you. After the assessment, the doctor may be able to identify the cause and provide guidance on what to do next. Depending on the situation, tests may or may not be needed. 

Many people experience repeated episodes of wheezing when the cause is usually obvious, such as in individuals with asthma or COPD. 

If the cause isn’t clear or if you are very unwell, your doctor may refer you for tests. The type of tests will depend on what the doctor suspects, based on your other symptoms and examination. Lung function tests and chest X-rays are common tests. 

What should you do to get rid of wheezing?

The cause of your wheezing will determine how much relief it gives you. If you go to the ER or see a doctor, they may start by giving you oxygen, you might need to be hospitalized until your breathing. If the wheezing is severe or doesn’t get better with oxygen, you might need to be hospitalized until your breathing improves. 

What are the treatment options for wheezing?

Asthma is typically treated with a brown or purple inhaler that you use regularly to prevent symptoms, and a blue or green inhaler to use if you are still wheezing even after using the preventer. You can reach out for asthma treatment in Coimbatore in case you are having issues with managing asthma. 

COPD is treated with inhalers similar to those used for asthma, but people with COPD often need a triple inhaler, which contains three different types of medication. Triple inhalers are less common for asthma. Quitting smoking is a key part of managing COPD, and you may also be offered pulmonary rehabilitation classes that use breathing exercise to help improve your condition.

You will usually be referred to a specialist for a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis if bronchiectasis is suspected.

Bronchiolitis typically affects babies during their first winter. Most cases can be managed at home, but if there are concerns about severe breathing problems or difficulty feeding, a hospital stay may be necessary. 

Can breathing help wheezing?

• Abdominal breathing:

To breathe more deeply, avoid just moving your chest up and down. Breathe steadily and slowly while sitting in a relaxed, comfortable position. When you breathe in and out, the hand on your chest should stay still, but the hand on your belly should move in as you exhale and out as you inhale.

• Pursed lip breathing:

Exhale slowly through pursed lips, as though you were going to whistle, after taking a breath through your nose. This technique helps you control and slow your breathing more effectively.

Is wheezing life-threatening?

Wheezing occurs when your airways are blocked, and there are many possible causes of wheezing. It’s normal to wheeze with a cold or a temporary illness, but if it happens often and you start having trouble breathing or your skin turns blue, seek medical help right away.

How to prevent wheezing?

If you have mild wheezing from an illness like a cold or flu, you need to follow several ways to reduce wheezing with remedies such as:

• Drinking warm fluids 
• Breathing moist air 
• Doing breathing exercises 
• Staying away from triggers

If you have a more serious condition that requires seeing a healthcare provider, the treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the underlying cause. 

The first step is to make sure you are getting enough oxygen into your lungs, often through oxygen therapy. If the wheezing is caused by an allergic reaction, then medications are recommended accordingly. 

For asthma and COPD, treatment usually involves a prescribed inhaler or other medications to help keep your airways open. If your healthcare provider thinks a foreign object might be blocking your airways, they may recommend a procedure like bronchoscopy.

Important Takeaway:

Hearing a wheezing sound from yourself or someone else can be concerning. While it’s not always an emergency, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. Wheezing occurs when your airways are blocked, and many factors can cause it. It’s usually fine to wheeze with a cold or a temporary illness, but if it happens often and you feel short of breath or your skin turns blue, reach out to the best pulmonologist in Coimbatore for immediate help.