Wheezing in the Chest

Wheezing refers to an abnormal high-pitched whistling sound that may be heard while breathing. Such sounds arise when the bronchial tubes or airways that carry inhaled air into the lungs become constricted. During the process of inhalation, the inhaled air passes through the windpipe and moves from the bronchial tubes into the lungs.

It is within the alveolar sacs in the lungs that the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. While the cells use oxygen, carbon dioxide is carried back to the lungs via blood and is forced out of the body through bronchial tubes/airways during exhalation.

If the airways become constricted due to inflammation, air would not be able to pass through properly. High-pitched whistling sounds are likely to be heard due to the resultant increase in the airflow velocity.

Though it is a common symptom of asthma, it could also be associated with several other ailments. Though the abnormal whistling sounds that emanate from constricted bronchial tubes or airways are mostly heard during exhalation, these sounds could sometimes be heard during inhalation. It can affect children as well as adults.

Besides these high-pitched whistling sounds, tightness of chest and coughing could be experienced by anybody who is suffering from chest congestion. Such high-pitched whistling sounds might also be accompanied by labored breathing or shortness of breath.

Under such circumstances, one is most likely to feel exhausted. In this story, we will look into the circumstances under which one may suffer from wheezing in the chest.

• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Labored breathing
• Fever
• Chest pain
• Weakness

As mentioned earlier, high-pitched whistling sounds are produced when the airways become constricted or partially blocked. People who suffer from allergies or respiratory ailments such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, congenital/acquired bronchomalacia or bronchiolitis are most likely to be affected.

Bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia are inflammatory conditions that are characterized by breathing problems. Children below the age of six months may produce such sounds while breathing id they suffer from bronchomalacia. This is a condition that is characterized by the weakness or degeneration of the cartilage in the walls of the bronchial tubes.

Asthmatic individuals may wheeze due to exposure to allergens or environmental irritants. Exposure to allergens or environmental pollutants such as strong chemicals, fumes or dust may cause inflammation of the bronchioles and alveoli which in turn may cause the airways to become constricted.

When the air flows through narrowed bronchial tubes, it gives rise to noisy breathing or a high-pitched whistling sound in the chest. An excessive production of mucus aggravates this condition further, thereby causing chest tightness and shortness of breath.

Those who have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or lung infections usually suffer from chronic wheezing.

An infection or swelling in the larynx or the trachea can also cause noisy or abnormal breathing. Asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis generally cause whistling sounds during exhalation. The abnormal whistling sounds are caused due to an obstruction caused in the airways in the upper part of the respiratory tract.

Sometimes such abnormal whistling sounds could be caused due to a poorly functioning heart. If the heart is unable to effectively pump blood through the lungs, the lungs may get filled with fluid. This may cause the airways to become narrow thereby causing whistling sounds. It may be experienced by those who suffer from acid reflux disease or food allergies.

Since wheezing can be a symptom of serious medical conditions, the importance of a timely diagnosis cannot be stressed enough. If it is caused due to a particular medical condition, treating that ailment will naturally help.

Labored breathing that results from the narrowing of the airways can cause one to feel tired and exhausted. The treatment must therefore aim at normalizing the patient's breathing pattern. The patient must be able to breathe comfortably.

When whistling sounds is caused due to asthma, doctors usually ask the patients to breathe in corticosteroids and bronchodilators through the inhalers and nebulizers. If one is diagnosed with a bacterial infection, they might also prescribe antibiotics.

If it is caused due to viral pneumonia, doctors would suggest the use of vaporizers. Increasing one's fluid intake may also prove beneficial. If it results in a decrease in the levels of oxygen, mechanical ventilation may be required to deliver oxygen to the lungs. In serious cases, the patient might even require hospitalization.

Abnormal high pitched whistling sounds are usually a sign of respiratory disorders. People who suffer from recurrent bouts of wheezing must therefore get themselves medically examined at the earliest.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.