A strange hissing sound is heard when you inhale or exhale? Your airways are probably obstructed and you experience what is called a “wheezing” episode. This phenomenon can be more or less occasional, and linked to an allergy or to a specific pathology such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis or even an infection of the respiratory tract. To avoid any complications, it is better to consult your doctor quickly.
Definition: when do we speak of wheezing?
Wheezing results in the distinct emission of a whistling or abnormal noise (like a crackle) during inspiration or expiration. Some also speak of inspiratory or expiratory wheezing.
It is linked to a narrowing of the airways: concretely, lthe air is compressed during its passage through said channelswhich causes a wheeze on inspiration or expiration.
The expiratory wheeze is sometimes loud enough to be heard. Inspiratory wheezing is more difficult to detect and often requires the use of a stethoscope.
Note: depending on the part of the respiratory tract involved, wheezing is rather harsh or musical.
Wheezing can be accompanied by other symptoms
The hissing is not always noticeable and requires the use of a stethoscope. Several characteristic symptoms can accompany it:
- a difficulty breathing ;
- a chest tightness ;
- and shortness of breath (particularly on exertion);
- a persistent cough (which often intensifies at night, while lying down).
Asthma, COPD, allergy, bronchitis, bronchiolitis… Why does it whistle, crackle or “purr” when I breathe?
As noted above, wheezing is linked to a narrowing of the airways, which itself can be caused by:
- a inflammation or one edema ;
- the presence of too thick secretions ;
- a bronchial constriction (bronchoconstriction or bronchospasm);
- a vocal cord injury ;
- even by a more or less significant obstruction (by a tumor or any object).
Several pathologies can be at the origin of these factors:
- and asthma (the most common cause of wheezing). This chronic respiratory disease causes inflammation of the bronchi and weakens them on exertion or when they are exposed to certain substances (bronchial hyperreactivity);
- a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is also frequently the cause of wheezing;
- a allergiesor even a anaphylactic shock ;
- a acute bronchitis ;
- a pneumonia ;
- a heart failure ;
- a bronchiolitis (especially in children);
- a epiglottitis ;
- a bronchectasie ;
- the presence of a tumor ;
- the presence of a foreign body in the airways.
What are the identifiable risk factors?
Several risk factors can trigger wheezing:
- smoking;
- the presence of allergens;
- the atmospheric pollution ;
- meteorological factors;
- a respiratory infection;
- physical exercise;
- etc.
Wheezing on inspiration or expiration: when to consult a doctor?
Wheezing on inspiration or expiration should not be overlooked!
If you are wheezing and any of the following occur, get to the emergency room quickly:
- you are out of breath can’t catch your breath ;
- the hiss comes on suddenly without any apparent cause;
- you feel chest pain ;
- you present signs of anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock);
If the whistling does not interfere with your breathing, but persists and is accompanied by the following symptoms, consult your doctor quickly to avoid any complications:
- of the frequent coughing fits which eventually become painful;
- a feeling of tightness in the chest ;
- a fever ;
- and increasingly short of breath (breathing faster than usual);
- and unexplained swelling in your feet or legs ;
- a loss of voice ;
- etc.
Keep in mind this proverb: “prevention is better than cure!”
Who to consult?
First, make an appointment at your doctorwho can redirect you, if necessary, to a pulmonologist, an allergist or a pulmonologist-allergist.
Wheezing: how is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with the anamnesis : the doctor asks each patient about their symptoms and their history, but also about their medical history, current treatments, etc. Some clues can, for example, guide the doctor: whistling did it appear suddenly or did it increase gradually? Does it occur intermittently? Can it be linked to an existing pathology or to a practice that triggers or aggravates it (such as smoking or intense physical effort, etc.).
Then comes the time to the clinical examination. The doctor carries out general checks: in particular, he checks the temperature and the heart rate. Then he looks for signs of respiratory distress, using a stethoscope: he tries to make sure that air moves well on inhale/exhale and also determines the origin of the whistling (is it rather linked to a condition of the bronchi, larynx, etc?). Depending on the potential cause of hissing and the symptoms described, it may also examine the nose, throat and/or limbs (especially the ends).
To confirm – or invalidate – his initial diagnosis, the practitioner can also carry out certain examinations:
- a lung x-ray ;
- and pulmonary function test (spirometry);
- of the blood tests ;
- and allergological check-up ;
- etc.
Treatment: what solutions in case of wheezing? How to clear the bronchi quickly?
The management of wheezing consists of treat the underlying cause. It therefore depends on each diagnosis.
At home, several solutions can relieve bronchial congestion:
- get enough hydration All day long ;
- bet on an air humidifier where to take a hot shower (steam will soothe irritation and cough);
- utilize a hot water bottle or hot compress to place on your chest;
- do not smoke and limit exposure to allergens and other irritating pollutants.
In case of severe symptoms, doctors may prescribe bronchodilators to dilate the airways. Of thecorticosteroids can also be prescribed in case of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
In the event of an allergic reaction, depending on the degree of severity, one can bet on antihistaminescorticosteroids, albuterol or adrenaline.
Finally, antibiotics are prescribed in case of infection of the respiratory tract.
In some cases, hospitalization is essential to help the patient to breathe correctly or to manage their pathology.