Wheezing

A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• Y

Lungs

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing. It occurs when air flows through narrowed breathing tubes.

Sibilant rhonchi

Wheezing is a sign that a person may be having breathing problems. The sound of wheezing is most obvious when breathing out (exhaling), but may be heard when taking a breath (inhaling).

Wheezing most often comes from the small breathing tubes (bronchial tubes) deep in the chest, but it may be due to a blockage in larger airways or in persons with certain vocal cord problems.

• Asthma
• Breathing a foreign object into the lungs
• Bronchiectasis
• Bronchiolitis
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema (COPD), especially when a respiratory infection is present
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Heart failure (cardiac asthma)
• Insect sting that causes an allergic reaction
• Medications (particularly aspirin)
• Pneumonia
• Smoking
• Viral infection, especially in infants younger than age 2

Review Date: 05/12/2009
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

---

---