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Briefly about the causes of wheezing. Wheezing - the causes of its appearance. Diseases accompanied by wheezing Wheezing in the right lung

The disease always appears at the most inopportune moment. It can find a person at home, at work or while relaxing. Diseases of the respiratory organs often present themselves with such characteristic symptoms as wheezing and noise in the lungs. Their appearance is usually explained by the passage of air masses too quickly during inhalation and exhalation. The nature of these noises may change during a coughing attack.

It is very difficult to determine the cause of wheezing on your own. Only a specialist can identify the factor that led to such ailment.

Types of wheezing

Doctors identify several types of wheezing that occur during inhalation.

Wet wheezing

Moist wheezing is the result of too much mucus collecting in the airways. When air passes through the mucous fluid in the bronchi, small bubbles form in it. They burst very quickly. Due to the massive explosion, a wet wheeze occurs, which causes significant discomfort to the person. As a rule, this phenomenon is observed during the process of gaining air into the lungs. During exhalation, it is much more difficult to recognize the symptom.


The size of the bubbles that form when air masses come into contact with sputum can be very different. This parameter depends on the volume of the bronchial cavity and their diameter. Based on this indicator, the following subtypes of wheezing are distinguished:

  • Fine bubble. It is a sign of pathologies such as bronchopneumonia, pulmonary infarction and broncholitis. These noises are very similar to the sound made by a bottle filled with a carbonated drink.
  • Medium bubble. Appear due to the active development of hypersecretory bronchitis or brochiectasis. If you evaluate the symptom by ear, it is similar to the sound of blowing liquid with a straw. This type of wheezing often indicates the development of pneumonia or small abscesses in the bronchi. Also, medium-bubble rales are heard in patients diagnosed with early-stage pulmonary edema.
  • Large vesicular. This wheezing is also called bubbling. It occurs due to the accumulation of large amounts of mucus in the trachea, bronchi and other cavities that belong to the respiratory system. This noise occurs when air masses pass through the internal organs during inhalation. The wheezing itself is quite loud. Thanks to this, it can be heard without special equipment.

Wet snoring should not be ignored, as it may indicate serious pathologies. In addition, this symptom provokes the appearance of a cough reflex.

Dry wheezing

This is the second type of wheezing that is heard when inhaling. This noise is divided into two subtypes:

  1. Whistling. This wheezing is considered a clear sign of an asthma attack. It occurs in the bronchi area due to uneven narrowing of the existing lumens during the onset of bronchospasm.
  2. Humming. Such wheezing occurs during breathing in patients who have an inflammatory process in the bronchial lumens. Because of it, mucous membranes are formed, causing this ailment.

The choice of appropriate treatment for the unpleasant symptom and the disease that caused it depends on the type of wheezing.

Causes of illness

Every year, thousands of people turn to doctors with complaints of diseases of the respiratory system. This is because this pathological process is quite common. It's not that difficult to get sick.

The main causes of wheezing in the lungs are various diseases. They are conditionally divided by doctors into three large groups:

  • Inflammation occurring inside the respiratory tract.
  • Inflammation of the larynx and the formation of neoplasms of a benign and malignant nature in its cavity.
  • Disorders of the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.

It is worth paying attention to another factor that should be blamed for the appearance of wheezing. This pathology occurs in almost every person who has such a bad habit as smoking.

Noises in the bronchi never occur on their own. They usually act as companions to various respiratory diseases. Some of them are accompanied exclusively by wet rales. Others are only dry.

Wet wheezing may appear against the background of the development of such diseases:

  • ARVI and influenza.
  • Heart disease.
  • Tuberculosis.
  • Bronchial asthma.
  • Pneumonia.

If moist wheezing occurs during exhalation, the doctor may suspect the patient has bronchitis.


Dry wheezing is caused by other pathologies:

  • Pharyngitis.
  • Laryngitis.
  • Pneumosclerosis.
  • Heart failure.
  • Neoplasms in the lung cavity.

Dry noises often occur due to attacks of suffocation, which are caused by blockage of the trachea by a foreign object that has entered the respiratory tract.

Which doctor should I contact?

With symptoms of illness such as wheezing and gurgling in the lungs, a person can go to any clinic. He should visit a specialist who treats the respiratory tract.

If an unpleasant symptom appears in a small child, then parents should definitely make an appointment with a pediatrician. He will independently examine the baby and, if necessary, write him a referral to visit another specialist, for example, a cardiologist or allergist.

Adult patients should immediately go to see a therapist. He will also assess the patient’s condition and, if necessary, refer him to a doctor of a more specialized specialty.

Diagnosis of the pathological process

To determine the nature of wheezing and the factor that provoked the appearance of the symptom, it is necessary to listen to it using special methods. Doctors use a phonendoscope for such purposes. It is also possible to use a stethophonendoscope and a stethoscope. Auscultation is performed with the patient in a lying, standing or sitting position.

In each of them, wheezing is listened to on both sides of the chest. Thanks to such a thorough diagnosis, it is possible to study the alarming symptom in as much detail as possible.

By changing the breathing pattern, the doctor has the opportunity to determine the exact location of the source producing noise in the respiratory organs. Listening is done before and after coughing. The specialist may also ask the patient to make various sounds and take medicine to find out its effect on the painful symptom.

Traditional treatment for wheezing

Wheezing in the lungs does not go away on its own. They need appropriate treatment. Each type of noise requires its own therapy. Its action must be aimed at eliminating the cause that caused the unpleasant symptom. Wheezing, like other signs of illness, will stop as you recover.

If a patient has severe wheezing, it will be difficult to treat at home. Such patients are prescribed observation in a hospital. First of all, the doctor will connect the patient to the artificial respiration apparatus if he himself cannot breathe fully. Next, the optimal treatment program is selected for him. It should include anti-inflammatory drugs and agents that help calm the cough and eliminate narrowing of the lumens in the bronchi.

The main goal of treating wheezing in the respiratory organs is to thin the accumulated thick sputum and stimulate its normal discharge. At the very initial stage of therapy, the doctor will suggest taking medications of various effects. The patient will also have to remain in bed. The patient needs to choose the most comfortable position for lying, in which he does not have coughing attacks and does not have difficulty breathing.


During treatment you need to drink plenty of fluids. The combination of this rule with bed rest and taking prescribed medications is the key to a speedy recovery. In addition, these methods will help prevent the onset of chronic respiratory tract disease.

If the patient is a smoker, he will have to give up this habit to increase his chances of recovery. It is also advisable to avoid any contact with allergens that may worsen the condition. In public places you should wear a special bandage. This way, the patient will not spread pathogenic microbes if the pathology is caused by a viral infection, and will protect himself from another infection that can easily penetrate a weakened body.

Treatment with folk remedies

Traditional medicine offers dozens of interesting recipes for medicinal products that help quickly get rid of wheezing in the lungs that occurs when breathing. They can be used by both children and adults.

The following folk remedies are considered the most effective in solving the problem of wheezing:

Ginger, lemon and honey mixture


It is necessary to grind the first two ingredients and dilute them with a portion of natural bee product. The finished gruel should be left to steep for at least a day. This medicine is recommended to be taken 1 tbsp. l. every day in order to prevent diseases of the throat and bronchi. If a person suffers from wheezing, then he should eat the same quantity only three times a day.

Radish and honey mixture


A popular folk remedy that has the effect of a mucolytic drug. To prepare the medicine, you need to cut out part of the core from the washed black radish. Pour a little honey into the resulting recess. Gradually, the root vegetable will begin to release juice, which will mix with the second ingredient of the recipe. Its taste is quite sweet and pleasant. Therefore, even children drink this medicine with great pleasure. Radish and honey juice should be taken 2 tsp each. from 2 to 5 times a day.

Hot milk


For medicinal purposes, drink this drink heated to 40 degrees. To increase the healing properties of milk, it is recommended to add a spoonful of natural honey to it. If the patient experiences dry wheezing, it is advisable to add a small portion of butter to the drink.

Herbal decoctions of chamomile, coltsfoot, St. John's wort and yarrow


Procedures such as inhalation and warming the chest have a therapeutic effect. But we must remember that with some diagnoses they are harmful. Therefore, before starting treatment, you should make sure that it is safe for the patient’s health. To find out, you just need to consult a doctor.

If the patient strictly follows all the instructions of the attending physician, begins to do special exercises for the respiratory organs and does massages, then he will quickly recover.

Etiology

Wheezing in the lungs during breathing can be caused by both pathological processes and mechanical damage. Clinicians identify the following factors in the development of this symptom:

  • narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi or spasm;
  • the presence of a viscous secretion in the upper respiratory tract, which provokes the formation of these sounds when breathing;
  • tuberculosis;
  • long-term smoking;
  • hypertension;
  • malignant formations;
  • heart and pulmonary failure;
  • acute respiratory infections;
  • allergic reactions.

Wheezing in the throat when breathing without fever may be caused by prolonged exposure to rooms with toxic or chemical substances.

Separately, the etiology of wheezing when breathing in a child should be highlighted. It should be noted that in infants up to 4 months this is quite normal. In other cases, wheezing when breathing in a child may be due to the following etiological factors:

  • entry of a foreign body, which prevents the flow of air into the lungs;
  • Congenital heart defect;
  • inflammatory processes;
  • consequences of bronchitis, influenza, ARVI and similar diseases.

In any case, if you have such a symptom, you should consult a doctor and not self-medicate.

Classification

The following types of wheezing in adults and children are distinguished:

  • wet or dry;
  • fine, medium and large bubbles;
  • voiced or voiceless;
  • caused by physiological changes or mechanical damage;
  • inspiratory (during inhalation) and expiratory (during exhalation).

Each pathological process is characterized by certain types of pulmonary rales.

Symptoms

If wheezing without fever is observed, this may be a manifestation of long-term nicotine consumption or a consequence of frequent and prolonged contact with toxic substances. In this case, there are no specific signs, except for a hoarse voice and frequent coughing, especially in the morning. However, in this case you should consult a doctor.

If the symptom is caused by an inflammatory or infectious disease, then the clinical picture may be supplemented by the following signs:

  • low-grade or high fever;
  • signs of general intoxication of the body;
  • headache;
  • increased sweating.

For diseases of the upper respiratory tract, the clinic may be supplemented by the following specific signs:

  • increased body temperature;
  • a sore throat;
  • wheezing is clearly audible even at rest;
  • dyspnea;
  • ARVI symptoms.

In oncological processes at the initial stages of development there is no clearly defined clinical picture; symptoms appear as the malignancy increases. In this case, the following symptoms are possible:

  • it is difficult for a person to breathe, a feeling of lack of oxygen;
  • the voice becomes hoarse;
  • sensation of a foreign body in the throat;
  • severe shortness of breath even with little physical activity;
  • The cervical or submandibular lymph nodes may be enlarged.

In some cases, and depending on the state of the person’s immune system, an elevated body temperature may be observed.

If a foreign object gets into the throat (which is very often observed in children), the following clinical signs may be present:

  • breathing problems;
  • blue discoloration of the skin;
  • increased sweating;
  • rapid pulse;
  • loss of consciousness.

A similar clinical picture can also be observed in acute heart failure, so you should urgently seek medical help.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic measures include the following:

  • physical examination of the patient with clarification of complaints and medical history;
  • radiography;
  • Ultrasound of the chest organs;
  • CT and MRI;
  • blood and urine collection for general analysis;
  • blood test for biochemical composition.

The exact diagnostic program will depend on the current clinical picture and general condition of the patient.

Treatment

Basic therapy depends on the diagnosis and the underlying factor. In general, drug therapy may include taking the following drugs:

  • mucolytics;
  • antibiotics;
  • anti-inflammatory;
  • expectorants;
  • vitamin and mineral complexes.

The dosage, regimen and duration of taking medications are strictly prescribed by the attending physician. The use of folk remedies is possible, but only as an addition to the main course of treatment and in consultation with the attending physician.

How does a cough with wheezing manifest?

Unpleasant symptoms may sound quite obvious. For example, with obstructive bronchitis, wheezing that appears after coughing can be heard even at a great distance. Sometimes only a doctor can recognize sounds by listening to the respiratory organs. For this purpose, doctors use a lightoscope. In some cases, they can be heard by placing your ear to the patient's chest.

Doctors divide wheezing (without coughing) into:

  • Dry.
  • Wet.

They may differ in tone. Be:

  • Bass. Occurring because viscous mucus fluctuates in the bronchi. As a result of the increased density of sputum, resonant sounds appear.
  • Whistling. Appearing because inflammatory processes have developed in the respiratory organs, which have contributed to the narrowing of the lumen between the bronchi.

Dry wheezing in the lungs (without coughing) occurs when there is no large accumulation of fluid in the respiratory organs. Unproductive sharp spasmodic exhalations appear very soon.

Dry wheezing and sharp spasmodic exhalations may indicate the course of:

  • Bronchial asthma.
  • Pharyngitis.
  • Bronchitis in the initial stage.
  • Laryngitis.

Wet wheezing in the bronchi (without cough) occurs due to a large accumulation of sputum in the bronchial lumen:

  • Edema fluid.
  • Slime.
  • Blood.

Cough and wheezing in the lungs may or may not be loud. Sounds can be clearly heard if the lung tissue compresses the bronchi very tightly. This is one of the clearest indicators of the presence of pneumonia.

Silent wheezing is most often localized in the chest (lower sections). They indicate the presence of stagnant processes.

Wheezing can be:

  • Quiet and loud.
  • Various timbres.
  • High and low.

They depend on which bronchus is affected or how narrowed they are, so the hoarse cough may vary. They may be accompanied by:

  • Severe shortness of breath.
  • Pain in the chest area.
  • Weakness.
  • Chills.
  • Low-grade or elevated temperature.
  • Overexcitement.
  • Loss of voice.

Cough, wheezing in the chest - causes

There are many diseases (and quite serious ones), the symptom of which is a wet or dry hoarse cough. It can be:

Coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing are also observed if there is a foreign body in the throat or respiratory tract. Sometimes unpleasant symptoms may indicate a severe form of allergy.

A severe cough with wheezing without fever is a frequent companion of smokers, as well as people who work in production with polluted air or live in an environment unfavorable for the respiratory system. Symptoms should alert a person and force him to see a doctor. In the absence of treatment and further exposure to harmful factors, cough and hoarseness can develop into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Unpleasant symptoms are typical for acute bronchitis. At the beginning of the disease they are dry, and then develop into wet ones. In serious forms of the disease, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing may occur in parallel.

Coughing and wheezing in the throat can be caused by foreign particles entering there. This is especially common in young children. In this case, you should provide immediate first aid - clear your throat, getting rid of the irritant. If you cannot do this yourself, you should immediately call an ambulance. However, even if you manage to remove the foreign body, you should definitely visit a doctor as soon as possible. The specialist will check whether the respiratory organs have been injured.

A wheezing cough is a characteristic sign of bronchial asthma. An attack develops as a result of a spasm of the bronchial muscles. This symptom is completely typical for this disease. It is much worse if during an attack of bronchial asthma there is a cough but no wheezing. This may indicate complete closure of the airways. If this symptom occurs, you should immediately seek emergency medical help.

Whatever disease or pathological process such symptoms are caused by, it is worth remembering that self-medication is unacceptable. Only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the optimal treatment. A specialist will help you get rid of not only frightening sounds, but also the reason why they appeared.

Wheezing that occurs when breathing is always explained by one or another obstruction in the path of air flow. The bronchopulmonary tract consists of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Wheezing in the lungs - this definition refers to any noise other than the sound of healthy breathing, heard when inhaling or exhaling.

Before doing anything to eliminate the symptoms, the cause and location of the noise should be identified.

What does “wheezing in the lungs” mean?

Noises that arise during breathing, characterized as wheezing in the bronchi or lungs, reflect an unhealthy process occurring in them. Two states of the respiratory tract are observed when air moves through them with wheezing:

  • the internal space of the bronchi or trachea is narrowed as a result of spasm and/or inflammation - this explains the manifestation of wheezing in bronchial asthma, allergies or bronchitis;
  • Mucous or purulent masses accumulate on the inner mucous membrane of the trachea or bronchi, and the passage of air through them causes various sounds.

When you hear wheezing in the lungs when breathing in an adult or child, you should expect the appearance of a cough as a means of clearing the bronchopulmonary tract.

NB! If your child has wheezing in his lungs when breathing, the cause may be a small toy in his respiratory tract. If you cannot blow your nose or blow out a mechanical object from your nasopharynx, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Depending on the location of the inflammatory process, the name of the disease occurs, which causes changes in the bronchopulmonary tract.

Tracheitis - inflammation of the trachea

The trachea is the windpipe, a direct continuation of the larynx, a cartilaginous tube ten to thirteen centimeters long. The trachea is lined with mucous membrane.

Inflammatory processes in the trachea often occur together with other symptoms of ARVI and are accompanied by inflammation in the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and throat.

NB! Tracheitis is caused by the forced need to inhale very cold, dirty or dry air for a long time.

In acute tracheitis, swelling of the mucous membrane is observed, the inner lining of the trachea is covered with accumulations of mucus and pinpoint hemorrhages. The classic symptoms are:

  • annoying coughing attacks in the morning, as well as when taking a deep breath, sharp exhalation;
  • dry cough at night;
  • A coughing attack gives the patient a long, aching pain in the larynx and behind the sternum.

Patients, especially children, try to breathe shallowly and frequently. The lungs are not ventilated enough, which causes complications.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchial mucosa caused by viruses or bacteria - bronchitis. Wheezing is heard when mucus clogs the internal lumen of the bronchi. The mucous membrane of the bronchus becomes swollen and inflamed, mucus forms in the internal lumen, the muscles tense, trying to get rid of the mucus - a spasm occurs.

Most often, in 99% of cases, bronchitis is caused by viruses.

The influenza virus prefers the bronchial mucosa. If other manifestations of an acute respiratory viral infection are observed: cough, runny nose, fever - any doubt about the viral origin disappears. Enough lymphocytes to destroy a particular virus are produced within three to five days.

When relief does not occur by the fifth day, bacteria become involved in the process.

Bronchitis becomes bacterial as a result of improper treatment or in the absence of an adequate immune response of the body. Bacterial bronchitis is a very serious condition, characterized by high fever and toxicosis.

Children under five years of age do not cough up mucus well due to small lumens of the bronchi and weak respiratory muscles. When a child has bronchitis, wheezing in the lungs fades away within two to three weeks. Recovery will take that long.

Pulmonary pathologies

Let's consider wheezing that occurs in the lungs when breathing, caused by inflammation or damage to the lungs. Inflammation of the lung tissue most often occurs due to improper treatment of viral bronchitis. Inflammation in the lungs is almost always caused by blockage of the bronchial tubes with dry mucus. As a result:

  1. Ventilation of the lung area is impaired.
  2. Bacteria settle and develop in it.
  3. The lung becomes inflamed.

Mucus dries out at high body temperatures, when breathing too warm and dry air, if the drinking regime is disrupted. Pneumonia is manifested by a sharp rise in temperature, cough with copious discharge of purulent sputum. Wheezing during pneumonia is heard in the lower parts of the lungs, and this is where inflammation is localized. These parts of the lungs are little involved in breathing during a sedentary lifestyle. Mechanical damage to the lungs, manifested only by wheezing, means a slight contusion of the lung.

Dry and wet wheezing

Listening to wheezing is called auscultation. The doctor does this using a stethoscope or phonendoscope. At home, you can attach an ear or a tube made of thick paper to your chest.

During auscultation, the listener is asked to breathe deeply or superficially, slowly or quickly. In this way, the place where wheezing occurs and its characteristics are identified.

Based on the severity or absence of fluids in the bronchopulmonary tract, two large groups are distinguished: dry and moist rales.

Dry wheezing is heard in the lungs mainly when exhaling. Their reason is the narrowing of the bronchopulmonary tract. Narrowing is caused by:

  • swelling;
  • introduction of a foreign body;
  • dry mucus;
  • pressure on the bronchi from the outside;
  • tumor.

The transverse size of the bronchus determines how dry wheezing is heard - a hum, buzzing or whistling:

  • whistling sounds are heard when the lumen in the small bronchi and bronchioles narrows; suspicion of bronchitis, bronchiolitis or bronchial asthma;
  • buzzing and buzzing sounds - with inflammation of the medium and large bronchi, with tracheobronchitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis.

Moist rales are heard in the bronchi when the lumens are filled to varying degrees with liquid sputum, blood, and edematous fluid. Moist rales are heard in the lungs when inhaling. The inhaled air passes through the liquid, air bubbles form on its surface and burst. Therefore, these wheezes are called blistering wheezing. Based on the diameter of the respiratory tract, there are:

  • fine-bubble, formed in small bronchi and bronchioles:
    • sonorous, if there is not a lot of fluid, appear when an area of ​​the lung is inflamed, for example with pneumonia;
    • silent, air enters passing through accumulated fluid, as in pulmonary edema, chronic heart failure, or an attack of bronchial asthma;
  • medium-bubble and large-bubble rales are born in bronchial lumens of medium and large diameters, respectively, as well as in cavities with bronchial deformation, lung abscess, tuberculous cavity.

NB! No disease has a distinct, unique type of wheezing. The diagnosis is made only by taking into account all the symptoms and data from tests and radiography.

No fever, but with cough

Wheezing in the lungs means that the patency of the bronchopulmonary tract is impaired. It is necessary to find out the cause of this disorder: inflammation, foreign body, neoplasm.

Wheezing is accompanied by coughing. Cough is not a disease, but a reaction of the body. The role of cough is to clear the airways.

NB! A cough does not need to be treated, especially until diagnosed by a specialist.

To make the airways easier to clear, the mucus in them (sputum) should be less viscous. Blood viscosity affects sputum viscosity.

Diseases in which wheezing in the lungs with cough are observed can occur without fever:

  1. If the temperature is hastily reduced at the beginning of an acute respiratory viral infection, the further course of the disease occurs without a thermal reaction of the body. After suffering from ARVI, the bronchi are cleared of sputum for some time. The coughing sometimes lasts for a week or two.
  2. Complications of the inflammation have appeared, the infection is hidden.
  3. The presence of a foreign object in the bronchi is usually observed in children. Requires examination and removal.
  4. Bronchial asthma. Asthma attacks are controlled with special medications. Emergency medical attention is required.
  5. Development of a tumor blocking the airways.
  6. Allergic reaction. It is necessary to detect and eliminate the allergen.

A correct diagnosis is the key to successful treatment and relief from the most unpleasant symptoms: coughing and wheezing in the lungs. Wheezing without fever is the basis for examination; the correct treatment is selected after identifying the root causes.

How to treat adults and children?

To cure a patient with pathologies in the lungs, the cause that gave rise to them must be eliminated. The first question is not how to treat wheezing in the lungs when breathing in adults and children, but what caused them. Wheezing is not a disease, but the result of processes that are abnormal for a healthy body.

Nevertheless, there are a number of medications that can alleviate the patient’s condition. Each one performs a specific task:

  • when it is necessary to facilitate the separation of sputum, mucolytics are used to dilute it;
  • Antibiotics fight bacterial infections in the lungs;
  • if necessary, eliminate spasms, relax the walls of the bronchi, i.e., relieve an attack of suffocation, use beta-agonists.

NB! The use of mucolytics, especially in children, should be prescribed by a doctor, although they are sold without a prescription. Improper use of the drug may cause an attack of suffocation.

All medications should be prescribed after examination and diagnosis. Once the source causing wheezing in the lungs is identified, it is determined how to treat the disease.

When wheezing in the lungs, bronchi or trachea in a child or adult is caused by a normal ARVI, mucolytics and antibiotics are not used in treatment. The patient is prescribed warm drinks in large quantities. The air must be moist. Staying in the fresh air is advisable as soon as the temperature returns to normal.

Useful video

For more information on diagnosing lung diseases, watch the following video:

Conclusion

  1. If wheezing is heard in the lungs when breathing, a comprehensive study will be required to accurately determine the cause.
  2. Even an experienced specialist will not find out the whole picture of the ongoing processes as a result of just listening. You will need to submit blood, urine, and sometimes sputum samples for analysis.
  3. The condition of the lungs is checked using X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging.
  4. Based on the results of the examination, it becomes clear how to cure the specific disease that caused wheezing in the lungs.

Wheezing is an unpleasant pathological sound that appears due to the active passage of inhaled and exhaled air through the airways narrowed as a result of the disease. Wheezing is a consequence of inflammatory processes occurring in the bronchi or trachea. Chest wheezing is usually accompanied by a cough, in this way the body tries to expand the airways and compensate for the lack of oxygen.

Causes of cough accompanied by wheezing in the lungs when breathing and pain in the sternum

Wheezing in the lungs occurs more often with pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, acute or chronic bronchitis, not accompanied by a rise in temperature. Such atypical forms of pneumonia are very dangerous for the patient’s life.

Pathological noises are also heard in diseases of extrapulmonary origin. These include:

  • myocardial infarction;
  • cardiac pathologies ();
  • pulmonary edema as a result of severe somatic diseases.

Wheezing in different parts of the lung is heard in tuberculosis, abscess, pulmonary fibrosis and malignant neoplasms. In these conditions, the temperature occurs periodically and rises to 37º or slightly higher.

The formation of pathological wheezing is based on two processes:

  1. A change in the normal state of the walls of the bronchi, which leads to a narrowing of their lumen.
  2. The presence in the vessels of the respiratory system of mucous or purulent masses with varying degrees of viscosity. The wet secretion begins to vibrate under the influence of air, hence different sounds arise in all parts of the lungs and in the bronchi.

When listening to the respiratory system, the doctor pays attention to how sounds are formed (during inhalation or exhalation) and how they sound. It also matters how moist rales appear in the lungs. They can be coarse, medium and small.

In some pathologies of the bronchopulmonary system, wheezing is heard only on exhalation, in others - on inhalation, and there are also mixed wheezing sounds. Exhalation sounds (aspiration sounds) are more common in bronchial asthma. Wheezing during inspiration is called inspiratory wheezing; you can clearly hear it in acute bronchitis.

In the lower parts of the lungs, wheezing occurs due to congestion. The walls of the alveoli become inflamed, swollen and secrete exudate, disrupting the process of normal breathing. If treatment is carried out according to the correct regimen, the inflammatory process subsides, as a result, mucopurulent secretion gradually comes out and breathing normalizes.

Prolonged wheezing in the lower sections can be detected in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This pathology is often recorded in heavy smokers, as well as in those people who have not been completely cured.

How to treat these unpleasant symptoms - therapy for adults and children

Z Having noticed any wheezing, the patient should first undergo an examination. The doctor begins to find out the causes of the pathological phenomenon by listening to the bronchopulmonary system. Based on the results obtained or after additional diagnostics, treatment is prescribed. Most often, to identify the cause, the patient is given an x-ray of the bronchi and lungs, which makes it possible to accurately diagnose bronchitis or pneumonia. Additionally, blood tests and sputum collection are prescribed to determine the causative agents of the disease. The best medicines for bronchitis are presented in.

If the diagnosis is unclear and a tumor is suspected in the organ cavity, CT is used today, that is, layer-by-layer computed tomography of the lungs.

It is absolutely impossible to treat wheezing in the lungs on your own. Taking medications can suppress the inflammatory process, but it is unlikely that the disease will be completely overcome. And this almost always leads to the transition of an acute illness to a chronic one, which will require long-term therapy.

Drug therapy if there is a fever

Since wheezing in the lungs most often occurs against the background of inflammation of the organ, treatment usually begins with antibiotics. For pneumonia in most cases the following is used:

  • Kanamycin.
  • Ceftriaxone. Both medications are preferably administered by injection, as this form of medication is absorbed more efficiently by the body.
  • (one of the most effective drugs in this case).

Antibacterial agents are also prescribed if inflammation occurs without fever. In addition to this group of drugs, medications are used that dilute viscous and dense purulent sputum. These may be the following drugs:

  • Cysteine;
  • Mukobene;
  • Mucomist.

Chest sounds are a very important symptom for diagnostics of pathological changes in the respiratory organs.

Wheezing in the lungs when breathing in adults, they help determine by their sound, caused by non-physiological noises residual processes after an illness or we are talking about a chronic disease, a complication after an acute respiratory infection, bronchitis, pneumonia.

The breathing of a healthy person should be almost silent. Any wheezing when breathing in an adult, a whistling sound when exhaling, or difficulty inhaling should cause the person to it is mandatory to visit a doctor, get examined. In children, whistling and wheezing when breathing do not occur for no reason.

Wheezing in the lungs: causes and consequences

Passing through the respiratory tract, the air usually does not encounter obstacles, saturating every cell with oxygen.


But if something appears in the bronchi or lungs that interferes with free movement, it can be felt by shortness of breath, some manifestations of oxygen starvation, fatigue, chest pain.

The body is trying with all its might to free itself from a foreign body or substance, so wheezing is heard when breathing, often accompanied by a cough.

Causes of wheezing:

    • acute respiratory diseases;
    • tracheitis;
    • bronchitis;
    • pneumonia;
    • tuberculosis;
    • neoplasms;
    • pulmonary edema;
    • bronchial asthma;
    • obstructive processes;
    • heart failure;
    • bronchiectasis;
    • pulmonary hemorrhage;
    • a foreign body in the respiratory tract and swelling spreading around it.

Wheezing in the bronchi during exhalation, audible through a phonendoscope, and sometimes without it, causes any obstruction in the path of the air stream.

In some cases immediate medical attention is required, since bronchospasm, damage to the bronchi, or bleeding in the lungs can kill a person in a matter of minutes.

And although wheezing in the lungs is considered one of the most common cold symptoms diseases, the doctor must identify the exact cause of the noise and find the optimal treatment for wheezing in the bronchi, which will eliminate the causes of its occurrence.

Sometimes it is necessary to facilitate the discharge of sputum, sometimes relieve inflammation or spasm, but surgery may also be required.

What types of wheezing are there?

By the sound of breathing, noises in the bronchi and lungs, you can preliminarily determine what caused their appearance. Pulmonologists, therapists subdivide wheezing and whistling sounds when breathing:

Also an important characteristic is the fine-bubble, medium-bubble and coarse-bubble nature of the sounds.

A viscous secretion secreted by the bronchi, mucus or blood, when air passes through them, is filled with it, and then bursts, emitting peculiar sounds similar to the sounds of bursting bubbles (in the sternum, according to patients, as if something is gurgling).

The most important for doctors when colds cause dry and moist wheezing.

    1. Dry wheezing in the lungs: air passes through the bronchi with a large accumulation of mucus, swelling or neoplasm. A whistling-like noise occurs during inflammation in the bronchi (bronchitis), asthma, and is heard on both sides. With bronchitis, it is characteristic of the initial stage of the disease, the timbre of the sound constantly changes, and may disappear after the patient clears his throat. Unilateral dry wheezing is heard if the lung is damaged or has a cavity (tuberculosis).
    2. Moist wheezing: a large accumulation of sputum and mucus causes a noise similar to the bubbling of air blown through a tube into the water. Usually heard during inspiration. When a productive cough appears, wheezing disappears, so the main task of doctors is to dilute the accumulated sputum to facilitate its removal, in order to prevent stagnation, the proliferation of harmful microorganisms and their spread throughout the respiratory system, which causes serious complications in the form of pneumonia and abscesses in the lungs.

Sound audible even from a distance wet wheezing in the lungs indicates serious complications, possible pulmonary edema, but if sounds are heard outside the bronchial tree, this may indicate the appearance of a cavity in the lung caused by a tumor process, tuberculosis, or abscess.

Not only such characteristics as wet or dry wheezing, but many others, including the localization and timbre of noise, the frequency of its occurrence are important in diagnosing the disease.

Self-diagnosis is ineffective and often dangerous, so all complaints, incomprehensible and unpleasant sensations should be described to specialists in order to facilitate diagnosis and clearly define the scope of necessary research.

How are wheezing and cough treated?

The appearance of any wheezing in the lungs means a pathological process, most often inflammation, so you must undergo an examination and take all the tests recommended by your doctor. In any case, the main thing is to treat the underlying disease.

For dry wheezing, if they indicate the onset of the disease, doctors recommend taking anti-inflammatory agents, to thin sputum. Bronchodilators have a good effect, they also help in case of an allergic reaction in asthma.

When dry wheezing changes to wet wheezing, a productive cough appears, the composition of the drugs during treatment changes in order to facilitate the removal of sputum from the body with expectorants. These include the mucolytics Lazolvan, Bromhexine, Mucaltin and others.

For a debilitating cough, medications are prescribed that affect the cough center, and in especially severe cases - antibiotics to prevent the development of pneumonia.

Don't start on your own taking medications even with severe wheezing when breathing and coughing with sputum discharge, so that the doctor can clearly see the picture of the disease. Blurred symptoms can cause an incorrect diagnosis, and the prescribed treatment will be ineffective.

Treatment with traditional methods

Among the recipes of traditional medicine there are many dedicated to how to treat wheezing and cough in children and adults.


Inhalations, heat, warming up the chest will help you cope with colds in the absence of fever.

Prevention, basic rules and methods.

After recovery, it is extremely important to protect your body from hypothermia, because a weakened immune system will not be able to adequately respond to a new threat.

Treatment must not be interrupted, as soon as wheezing in the chest has disappeared, the course of treatment must be completed to the end in order to avoid relapses and complications.

The key to successful prevention will be:

    • proper nutrition: the body needs vitamins and minerals so that the immune system can resist diseases;
    • hardening - not dousing with cold water, but gradually getting used to low temperatures and temperature changes;
    • feasible physical activity, running and swimming, strengthening the lungs and increasing their volume;
    • proper rest, walks before bed, ventilation of the room at night;
    • during cold seasons, you should definitely take a course of immunostimulants;
    • Breathing exercises show excellent results: a special set of exercises that teaches how to breathe correctly, for children who find it difficult to do them, and adults will also benefit from 1 daily exercise: inflating 3-5 balloons.

Wheezing - an integral part of the life of smokers, you should definitely give up this bad habit so as not to develop chronic bronchitis or lung cancer. A healthy lifestyle, good nutrition, and exercise will help strengthen the body and avoid recurrence of the disease.

Wet cleaning is important premises, which must be carried out daily to get rid of dust and harmful microorganisms.

When to see a doctor

Wheezing – a sign of obvious pathology, so you shouldn’t hesitate in any case.

Only doctors can correctly diagnose after examination, blood tests, and fluoroscopy, so the sooner you contact them, the more favorable the prognosis for a complete cure.

Which doctor should I contact?

In any clinic clinics have specialists dealing with respiratory diseases.

The baby needs to be shown to the pediatrician, who will decide who to refer the baby to: an allergist, pulmonologist, phthisiatrician or cardiologist.


Adults need to see a therapist, who will make a diagnosis and, if necessary, give a referral to a pulmonologist, allergist, phthisiatrician, oncologist, and other specialists.

Don't delay or rush to conclusions, modern methods of diagnosis and treatment help to cope with most diseases if treatment is started in a timely manner.

Any disease leaves a mark on the body, bronchitis and pneumonia also do not go away without a trace. And recurrence of the disease will be inevitable if you do not change your lifestyle, eliminating all harmful factors.

Definition of wheeze

Today, the concept of wheezing includes any form non-physiological noises , that is, additional sounds that occur during breathing, friction of the pleura against the ribs, etc. The wheezing sound of breathing is caused by obstructions in the path of air flow through the respiratory tract. Such an obstacle may be in the nature of a narrowing of the lumen or the appearance of pathological components in it (mucus, foreign body, etc.). Wheezing is a very heterogeneous group of respiratory sounds, which differ in tone, duration, prevalence during inhalation or exhalation, number of tones, etc. Moreover, each specific variant of wheezing corresponds to a specific pathology, the characteristics of which form the uniqueness of the resulting respiratory sounds.

Characteristics of wheeze

So, wheezing can be wet, dry, whistling, crepitating, etc. Dry wheezing develops when there is a narrowing obstacle to the passage of the air stream, and wet wheezing develops when there is fluid in the respiratory tract. The tone of wheezing depends on the diameter of the affected airways and the viscosity of the fluid contained in them. So, the smaller the diameter of the affected bronchus, the higher the pitch the wheeze will be heard, and the larger the diameter, the lower and “basier” the hoarse noise becomes.

Wheezing may also occur during inhalation or exhalation. A wheeze heard during inspiration is called inspiratory, on exhalation - respectively expiratory.

Since wheezing passes through various tissues from its place of formation in the lungs, the sonority of this auscultated sound depends on the individual characteristics of the surrounding tissues. If the tissue is dense (for example, in the presence of inflammation in the lungs or around the bronchi), then the sound of wheezing becomes sonorous, but if the tissue is airy and loose (for example, in the normal state of the lungs), then the resulting wheezing is heard as less sonorous, somewhat muffled.

Moist rales are divided into three categories:

  • finely bubbled;
  • medium bubbly;
  • large-bubble;

In this case, small-bubble rales develop in the presence of fluid in the smallest bronchi, medium-bubble rales - when fluid accumulates in the bronchi of medium diameter, and large-bubble rales - in large bronchi. To hear the difference between the above types of wet wheezing, try exhaling into a glass of water through straws of different diameters. In a somewhat simplified and approximate version, you will be able to independently hear the difference between small-bubble, medium-bubble and large-bubble wheezing.

Pulmonary and extrapulmonary wheezing

Depending on the origin, all wheezing is divided into two large categories:

  • pulmonary;
  • extrapulmonary.

Pulmonary wheezing occurs with the development of a pathological process in the bronchopulmonary system, and extrapulmonary wheezing develops as a concomitant symptom various diseases localized outside the respiratory system (for example, heart failure).

Pathologies accompanied by wheezing

The list of diseases that are accompanied by the development of wheezing is very wide and includes pathologies of various organs and systems.

Let's consider the main pathological processes accompanied by various types of wheezing:

  • bronchial asthma;
  • heart failure;
  • pulmonary edema;
  • malignant tumors of various localizations;
  • bronchiectasis;
  • pneumonia;
  • acute renal failure;
  • heart defects (congenital and acquired);
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);
  • acute GVHD (graft-versus-host disease);
  • Legionnaires' disease;
  • acute respiratory viral infections;
  • influenza, parainfluenza;
  • endemic flea typhus;
  • pulmonary tuberculosis;
  • pulmonary embolism (PE).

As can be seen from the list above, the symptom of wheezing is not specific, that is, it cannot serve as a full-fledged diagnostic criterion for a particular disease. Due to this circumstance, for a correct and accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to take into account other existing symptoms, their combination, as well as data from objective examination methods (listening, tapping, ultrasound diagnostics, laboratory tests, etc.).

The concept of auscultation - a method of listening to wheezing

Listening to wheezing, determining its nature and exact signs is performed using a special medical procedure called auscultation. Auscultation is carried out using a phonendoscope, stethoscope or stethophonendoscope. Auscultation is performed in various positions of the patient - standing, sitting or lying down, while alternately carefully listening to all segments of the chest on the right and left. During auscultation, various breathing modes are used to determine the exact location of wheezing and its origin, as well as listening to noises before and after coughing, against the background of pronouncing certain sounds, or after taking medications.
For further diagnostics, the following are taken into account:
1. caliber of wheezing (fine-bubble, large-bubble);
2. tonality of wheezing (high, low);
3. timbre of wheezing (polyphonic, monophonic);
4. sonority (voiced, muffled);
5. prevalence (over which parts of the chest are localized);
6. homogeneity (homogeneous or heterogeneous);
7. number of wheezes (single, multiple);
8. the effect of changes in body position, coughing or depth of breathing movements on the characteristics of wheezing;
9. expiratory or inspiratory nature.

Wet wheezing - causes of development, general characteristics

Let's take a closer look at wet rales first. Wheezing acquires a similar wet characteristic under the influence of the accumulation of various fluids in the airways - inflammatory exudate, non-inflammatory transudate effusion, blood, mucus or sputum. Most often, such wheezing is inspiratory, but can also be expiratory-inspiratory.

Fine bubble moist rales accompany the pathological process in the alveoli of the lung, small bronchioles and bronchi. If a person is in a lying position, then fine moist rales may not be heard, so to identify them, auscultation should be performed in a standing or sitting position.

Medium-bubble moist rales develop when pathological contents are localized in the bronchi of medium caliber, and often have a crackling sound, similar to the sound of torn tissue.

Large bubbling rales characterize a pathological process localized in the large bronchi. In this case, the sound is gurgling, bubbling, pronounced expiratory, very often audible even at some distance from the patient.

Diseases that occur with the presence of moist rales

Diseases that may be accompanied by the development of moist rales:

  • Williams-Campbell syndrome;
  • primary ciliary dyskinesia;
  • bronchial asthma (after an attack);
  • bronchitis (recurrent or chronic obstructive);
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
  • tuberculosis;
  • pulmonary edema;
  • pulmonary embolism (PE);
  • cystic fibrosis;
  • bronchiectasis;
  • pneumonia (in the development stage of the disease);

Bronchitis, bronchiolitis and bronchial asthma are characterized by the presence of both wet and dry wheezing. The predominance of one or the other is determined by the presence of pathological fluid in the bronchi, that is, if there is an accumulation of blood or exudate, the wheezing is wet, and if there is no content in the bronchi, the wheezing will be dry.

Combination of moist rales with other syndromes and symptoms

As is clear from the above list, moist rales accompany various diseases of the respiratory system. Associated symptoms may vary and depend on the cause of the pathology.
It is appropriate to highlight several syndromes associated with wheezing:

  • hypoxic syndrome;
  • dysfunction of external respiration;
  • asthenic syndrome;
  • dyspnea;
  • cough;
  • hematological syndrome;
  • X-ray syndrome.

Hypoxic syndrome combines various signs of oxygen starvation of body tissues - shortness of breath, pallor, rapid breathing, shallow depth of respiratory movements, disruption of the activity of all organs and systems, formation of fingers in the form of “drumsticks”, thickening of the blood.

Asthenic syndrome includes weakness, lack of composure, apathy, drowsiness, lethargy, and bad mood.

External respiration function is assessed according to a number of parameters: volume of inhaled air, volume of exhaled air, vital capacity of the lungs, forced inhalation volume, forced exhalation volume and others.

Hematological syndrome includes various blood disorders, for example, an increase in RЎРћР, the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin and leukocytes, a decrease in erythrocyte oxygen saturation, and others.

X-ray syndrome characterized by the development of a certain pattern visible on an x-ray.

Wheezing, accompanying symptoms and changes in the X-ray picture in various pathologies

Let's consider the combination of the symptom of wheezing with other signs and pathological changes that occur in diseases of the respiratory system.

Respiratory disease
systems
Associated symptoms Changes in
X-ray
picture
Williams-Campbell syndrome Bloated chest, shortness of breath, wheezing sound
breathing, cough with sputum production,
thickening of fingers according to type
"drumsticks"
A large number of
bronchiectasis
Primary ciliary
dyskinesia
Chronic inflammation of the bronchi and lungs,
purulent sputum, thickening
fingers like “drumsticks”
Foci of compaction in the lungs,
bronchiectasis
Cystic fibrosis Dry, hacking cough from the first days of life,
respiratory failure, chronic
inflammation of the bronchi and lungs, delay
development, thickening of fingers according to type
"drumsticks"
Atelectasis, bronchiectasis,
hardening of the lungs
Bronchial asthma Allergies, coughing attacks and choking at night
and in the morning, breathing with a whistling sound,
violation of external respiration
Emphysematous chest
cell (barrel-shaped)
forms)
Chronic bronchitis
process, shortness of breath, difficult cough,
sputum production, whistling breathing
Increased vascular
drawing, vascular congestion
Pneumonia Presence of infectious-inflammatory
process, shortness of breath, cyanosis
(blue lips, pale skin),
difficulty breathing, unproductive
cough at the beginning of the disease, after
addition of sputum
Characteristic picture
pneumonia
Pulmonary edema Asphyxia, gray or pale color
skin, fear on the face, bubbling wheezing,
continuous attack of suffocation
cough, light, frothy sputum in large quantities
quantity, sharp increase or decrease
heart rate
Large shaded areas
decrease in normal
lung transparency
Tuberculosis Persistent cough, hemoptysis, sputum,
prolonged fever, sweating, especially
at night, fatigue, weight loss,
thickening of fingers like “drum fingers”
sticks"
Strands, meshwork of the pulmonary
pattern, focal shadows,
cavities (cavities)

It should always be borne in mind that if a disease of the respiratory system is infectious and inflammatory in nature, then all the signs and symptoms of the underlying disease will be present. Infections are caused by various pathogenic microorganisms - viruses, bacteria, fungi, which form the picture of the inflammatory process.

It is important to know that wheezing can change its character - that is, wet wheezing can become dry, or vice versa. Also, wheezing can change any of its characteristics over the course of the pathological process. Any changes in the nature of wheezing should be recorded and taken into account, since they indicate the characteristics of the course or stage of the pathological process, and can serve as a signal of worsening of the situation or, on the contrary, improvement.

Causes of formation and general characteristics of dry wheezing

Dry wheezing is formed by turbulent turbulence of an air stream as it passes through pathologically altered respiratory tracts. As a result, respiratory sounds of varying length and timbre are formed. The formation of dry wheezing is always caused by a narrowing of the bronchial lumen, which is possible due to edema (acute or chronic), the entry of a foreign body, a fragment of adherent sputum, compression of the bronchial tube from the outside by tumor formation, growths of the mucous membrane and outgrowths of a tumor nature into the lumen. That is why dry wheezing is predominantly expiratory.

Depending on the caliber of the bronchus in which the pathological process occurs, dry wheezing is divided into buzzing, buzzing And whistling. In this case, the whistling timbre of wheezing develops with damage to the small bronchi and bronchioles, and the buzzing and humming timbre develops with disease of the medium and large bronchi. Thus, the type of timbre of dry wheezing will make it possible to determine with a high degree of probability in which parts of the bronchial tree the pathological process is localized. Also, the above tones have different shades (overtones), to distinguish which you should alternate auscultation with a stethoscope and a phonendoscope. Sometimes dry wheezing can be heard at some distance from the patient.

Differences between dry wheezing and heart murmurs

To distinguish some variants of dry wheezing from cardiac murmurs, it is necessary to perform auscultation with a change in breathing modes, and also take into account that cardiac murmurs are associated with the contraction phase of the heart muscle.

Pathologies in which dry wheezing is detected

The list of pathologies that may cause dry wheezing is quite extensive and includes diseases not only of the respiratory system.
So, dry wheezing accompanies the following diseases:

  • Chronical bronchitis;
  • chronic bronchiolitis;
  • bronchial asthma;
  • pneumonia;
  • pneumosclerosis;
  • bronchial tumors;
  • pharyngitis;
  • laryngitis;
  • emphysema;
  • heart failure;
  • foreign body in the lumen of the bronchus.

Physiological dry wheezing

Dry wheezing can also form as a compensatory reaction to excessively dry air. Many older people with shallow breathing also have sporadic dry wheezing, which disappears completely after a few vigorous breathing movements or forced coughing. In this situation, dry wheezing is not pathological, but is of a compensatory-adaptive nature.

Characteristics of dry wheezing in various pathologies

Bronchitis, bronchiolitis and bronchial asthma are characterized by various common dry wheezing wheezes, which are subject to changes during different periods of time and phases of the disease. In addition, an attack of bronchial asthma is accompanied by wheezing with musical tones, which is expressed in the “playing accordion” syndrome. Tracheobronchitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis are characterized by a predominance of buzzing and buzzing wheezing. The invariability and constancy of dry wheezing suggests the presence of fibrosis or sclerosis of the lung, or a tumor formation that constantly compresses the bronchus.

With the development of heart failure, dry rales are heard over the lungs, the transition of which to wet ones indicates the development of pulmonary edema.

Dry wheezing in the absence of respiratory tract pathology

Dry wheezing can form due to various pathologies of the vocal cords: dysfunction, hematoma, paralysis.
Also, a wide variety of pathologies of the oral cavity and upper gastrointestinal tract are accompanied by dry wheezing, for example:

Inspiratory dry rales are not a specific sign of damage to the bronchopulmonary system, and expiratory wheezing can serve as a fairly objective sign of bronchial asthma.

Dry wheezing and other symptoms in various pathologies

The combination of dry wheezing with other symptoms for various pathologies is shown in the table.

Thus, from all of the above we can conclude that wheezing is a complex symptom that occurs in various pathologies. Correct interpretation of all characteristics of wheezing can help in early nonspecific diagnosis, clarification of the localization of the pathological process, as well as in tracking the dynamics of the disease. If wheezing occurs, you should undergo a comprehensive examination in order to receive the necessary treatment in a timely manner.

Which doctor should I contact if I have wheezing?

Wheezing can appear in diseases of various organs and systems, therefore, against the background of their presence, it is necessary to contact doctors of various specialties, whose competence includes the diagnosis and treatment of the pathology that provoked them. In addition, wheezing can be a symptom of emergency conditions that require immediate hospitalization to receive qualified medical care to save your life. Below we will consider in which cases with wheezing you need to urgently seek medical help, and when you should go to the doctor as planned (and which specialist you should contact).

So, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance and be hospitalized in the hospital with the following clinical pictures, including wheezing:

  • When a person suddenly experiences choking or a paroxysmal suffocating cough, combined with wheezing or bubbling breathing, foam coming out of the mouth when breathing (often pink with blood), blue lips, nails and skin, cold sweat, increased blood pressure, puffiness of the face, rapid heartbeat, swelling of the veins in the neck (pulmonary edema is suspected).
  • When a person develops shortness of breath with wheezing, combined with an almost complete absence of urination, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and drowsiness (acute renal failure is suspected).
  • When a person, after a blood transfusion, bone marrow transplant or other transplant procedure, develops wheezing, skin rashes, and digestive tract disorders (an acute graft-versus-host reaction is suspected).
  • When shortness of breath suddenly appears with rapid breathing and wheezing, which are combined with a pale gray or bluish coloration of the skin, a sharp drop in blood pressure, increased heart rate, bulging and pulsating veins in the neck, dizziness, tinnitus, vomiting, fainting, and a slight increase in temperature body, belching, hiccups, pain under the right rib, possibly chest pain and arrhythmia (pulmonary embolism is suspected).
  • When a dry cough occurs in combination with shortness of breath, pain in the chest, aggravated by coughing and breathing, high body temperature, headache, nausea, weakness, lag of one half of the chest during inhalation and exhalation (the formation of an abscess in the lungs is suspected). You should also immediately call an ambulance if, against the background of the described symptoms, a large amount of sputum suddenly begins to cough up (an abscess in the lung is suspected).
  • When severe pain suddenly occurs in one half of the chest, combined with a dry cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, bluish skin, a sharp drop in blood pressure and increased heart rate (pulmonary atelectasis is suspected).
  • When, when breathing, a person hears wheezing, combined with shortness of breath, pain in one half of the chest, possibly a paroxysmal cough (a foreign body in the bronchus is suspected).
  • When a person’s body temperature rises to 39 - 40 o C, difficulty breathing with wheezing or bubbling appears, shortness of breath, sore throat, nasal voice, cervical and occipital lymph nodes enlarge, the neck behind the angle of the lower jaw swells (a retropharyngeal abscess is suspected).

Above, we indicated situations where wheezing, together with other symptoms, indicates a serious condition in which immediate medical attention is required to save a life. Below we will indicate conditions in which a person has wheezing, indicating the need to see a doctor at the clinic, and we will indicate which doctor should be contacted in a particular case.

So, if a person suddenly has a rise in body temperature, pain and sore throat, runny nose, cough, aches in muscles and joints, headache, weakness, then ARVI, influenza or parainfluenza is suspected, and in this case it is necessary to contact general practitioner (make an appointment) or pediatrician (make an appointment), if we are talking about a child.

Wheezing is a symptom of many diseases of the respiratory system, in the presence of which it is necessary to contact Pulmonologist (make an appointment) or a therapist. Below we provide a list of symptom complexes, including wheezing, for which it is necessary to contact a pulmonologist or therapist, since we are talking about diseases of the respiratory system:

  • If a person periodically experiences attacks of suffocation, during which he feels tightness in the chest, preventing him from breathing freely, when loud wheezing is heard during breathing, there is a cough with viscous sputum that is difficult to expel (bronchial asthma is suspected).
  • If a person has moist wheezing, combined with a constant cough with the discharge of unpleasant-smelling purulent sputum, periodic hemoptysis, shortness of breath, cyanosis of the skin, general weakness, thickening of the nails like “watch glasses” and fingertips like “drumsticks”, deformation of the chest (bronchiectasis is suspected).
  • If a person’s body temperature rises, shortness of breath, wheezing, frequent shallow breathing, weakness, cough, first dry and then with the discharge of “rusty” sputum (pneumonia is suspected).
  • If a person, against the background of subfebrile body temperature (up to 37.5 o C), develops a cough with the separation of mucopurulent sputum, wheezing, shortness of breath, sweating, weakness, swelling of the neck veins on exhalation (bronchitis is suspected).
  • If a person suffers from a constant cough with sputum production and shortness of breath, combined with wheezing, a bluish or gray-pink tint to the skin, a barrel-shaped chest (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is suspected).
  • If there is a dry obsessive cough, weakness, elevated body temperature, whistling or moist rales audible at a distance, shortness of breath, bluish skin, and after a long course of the disease - puffing breathing (bronchiolitis is suspected).
  • If a person develops shortness of breath, a dry cough that turns into a wet one with sputum production, wheezing, thickening of the fingertips like “drumsticks”, a bluish tint to the skin, aching pain in the chest, weakness, deformation of the chest (pneumosclerosis is suspected).
  • If it is difficult for a person to exhale, for which he closes his lips and puffs out his cheeks (puffs), wheezing is heard during breathing, there is a cough with the release of a small amount of mucous sputum, the face is puffy, the veins of the neck are bulging, the skin is bluish, the chest is barrel-shaped (emphysema is suspected lungs).
  • If a person develops a cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, skin rashes, inflammation of the lymph nodes and salivary glands, malaise, weakness, lack of appetite, night sweats, sleep disorders, possibly joint pain (sarcoidosis is suspected).
  • If a child hears dry or moist wheezing when breathing, periodically there are attacks of uncontrollable, suffocating cough (as with whooping cough), shortness of breath, deformation of the fingers and chest, prolonged frequent bronchitis and laryngitis, digestive disorders (cystic fibrosis is suspected).

Below we will indicate in which cases when wheezing, a disease of the ears, throat or nose is suspected and, accordingly, it is necessary to contact otolaryngologist (ENT) (make an appointment):

  • When the voice becomes hoarse, discomfort and the sensation of a foreign object are felt in the throat, shortness of breath and wheezing appear, a round or oval painless protrusion forms on the neck (laryngocele is suspected);
  • When there is pain, soreness and a “lump” in the throat, and the pain intensifies when swallowing, they are combined with a dry cough, accumulation of phlegm in the throat and the need for constant coughing (pharyngitis is suspected);
  • When the throat feels dry, scratching, combined with hoarseness or lack of voice (you can only speak in a whisper), barking cough and wheezing (laryngitis is suspected);
  • If a person suffers from shortness of breath when inhaling for a long time (difficulty inhaling), wheezing is heard during breathing, his voice is hoarse and there are symptoms of hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the brain, such as: poor memory, absent-mindedness, sleep disturbances, headaches, attack of nausea (suspected laryngeal stenosis).

Lung wheezing is an unhealthy breathing noise that comes from one or both lungs and is intermittent and varies in frequency. They are often caused by respiratory problems and can be felt when inhaling or exhaling, with or without a cough. A person may have more noticeable wheezing when lying down. This condition may be accompanied by a dry cough.

Pathological lung sounds in most cases can only be heard with a stethoscope during a medical examination. Therefore, you should not try to self-diagnose.

When wheezing is observed in both lungs, it is referred to as bilateral. And when they originate from the base of the lung, they are known as basal or basal crackles. In this case, wheezing is caused by a narrowing of the airways, the presence of contents in the alveoli, or the lack of aeration during exhalation.

Wheezing is common in people with respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchitis and other diseases.

They occur more frequently during inhalation than during exhalation. In most cases, wheezing is associated with inflammation and infection of the small bronchi, alveoli and bronchioles. If wheezing does not improve after coughing, it can sometimes also be a sign of pulmonary edema, a condition characterized by fluid in the alveoli due to heart failure.

Lung wheezing can be divided into weak, medium and strong. Weak wheezes can be soft, high-pitched and very short. On the other hand, severe wheezing is louder, lower-sounding, and often lasts longer.

What do they mean?

Lung wheezing can be called an abnormal noise heard from one or both lungs. Most of them form at the base of the lungs and can only be heard with a stethoscope. They usually reflect the accumulation of mucus, pus, or fluid in the airways and lungs.

Wheezing often indicates the presence of respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis and others. They may also indicate a serious heart condition that causes a buildup or blockage of blood flow between the heart and lungs.

This symptom is quite serious and can become life-threatening; urgent medical diagnosis, taking into account medical history, blood tests and x-rays, may be required to identify and treat the underlying cause.

In medical terminology

In fact, such a concept as “lung wheeze” (English “rhonchi”, “rales”) in medicine in most of Europe, North America and Australia has not been considered suitable for describing chest auscultation for decades. The main reason was the confusion of its use in the medical literature. More appropriate terms now are pulmonary crepitus, wheezing, pleural friction rub.

Therefore, this article cannot be considered as guidance for medical professionals. Some of the terminology in it is not very accurate or does not apply to domestic medicine (taken from English-language medical literature). But this made it possible to make the article more understandable and simpler.

What are they?

Pulmonary wheezing can be divided into four types, all of which can help diagnose what may be the underlying cause. These types:

  • Moist rales or crepitus of the lungs (rales), which can be described as rumbling, gurgling or bubbling sounds, most often occurring at the end of inspiration.
  • Sibilant wheezes– high-pitched dry sounds from the respiratory tract when they are narrowed. The sounds are so high-pitched that they can be heard without a stethoscope.
  • Creaking (stridor) – similar to whistling, resulting from narrowing or blockage of the upper respiratory tract.
  • Dry (rhonchi)– rough, rattling respiratory sounds, usually caused by secretions in the bronchial airways. Usually heard more strongly during exhalation.

Please note that the Russian translation of this classification is very approximate. The English versions of the names in brackets are more correct.

There is also a separate description pleural friction sound. This is a sound similar to creaking skin and is often accompanied by severe pain that interferes with breathing. Normally, the pleura is covered with protective mucus, but when inflamed, this membrane can stick together, and then a characteristic sound appears on auscultation (listening).

The classification is based on materials from ausmed.com

Wheezing and dry cough

A dry cough is a cough that is not accompanied by the production of sputum (a viscous substance secreted in excess by the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract during a cold).

A dry cough accompanied by wheezing in the lungs can be a symptom of a number of health problems. For some people, this may be the result of environmental irritants, such as allergies or inhaling very dry, heated air.

If a dry cough becomes chronic, it may be a sign of other conditions, such as the flu, whooping cough, a viral infection, or a side effect of taking heart disease medications.

Wheezing when exhaling

The sound in the lungs when exhaling in English is often popularly described as a “death rattle”. However, it can be caused by a variety of conditions, some of which are harmless. Although it is more normal to have it when you inhale than when you exhale.

Wheezing when you exhale can be a sign of pneumonia or a blockage or fluid buildup in the lungs. On the other hand, during inhalation they may be a sign of asthma, bronchitis or other causes.

Urgent medical diagnosis may be required to determine what the underlying cause may be. You should consult a doctor as soon as you notice this noise coming from both or one of your lungs.

Wheezing when lying down

As mentioned, mild wheezing sounds can only be heard with a stethoscope during a medical examination. However, some cases may be so severe that they can be heard even without this instrument.

Wheezing in the lungs when lying down may indicate that the nasal passages and airways are blocked by mucus. During this time the lungs are under increased pressure and they collapse over time, causing a condition known as atelectasis.

In such cases, other symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, shortness of breath, cough and a feeling of suffocation may be observed. If any of these signs are present, you should seek emergency medical help.

Causes

1. Bronchitis

Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi. Most people develop acute bronchitis after a cold. This often occurs within a day or two depending on how strong the body's immune system is.

Chronic bronchitis does not go away without medical help. Common symptoms include cough, wheezing, fatigue, shortness of breath and chills. You should see a doctor if any of these symptoms continue for a long time.

2. Obstructive pulmonary disease

This is a serious disease that requires treatment as quickly as possible. An obstructive pulmonary disease such as asthma or cystic fibrosis can cause wheezing and wheezing. If left untreated, it can lead to more severe conditions such as bronchiectasis.

These diseases affect breathing and can cause carbon dioxide and fluids to build up inside the lung. Continuous buildup of these products can lead to scarring, which can be manifested by noises coming from the respiratory tract.

3. Interstitial lung disease

This disease is associated with the air sacs and tissues in the lungs. It includes conditions such as sarcoidosis and rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions are known to cause scarring in the lungs, where fluid accumulates, causing wheezing.

4. Heart failure

Heart failure, caused by weakened heart muscles, a viral infection, or a genetic disorder, can also cause sounds in the lungs. Because the heart's function is impaired, increased pressure is maintained in the arteries between the heart and lungs, which can cause blood to leak into the lungs.

5. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in one or both lungs (unilateral or bilateral). When pneumonia is the cause of wheezing, there is usually a high fever, cough, fatigue, headache, and severe chest pain.

Antibiotics can be used to treat bacterial pneumonia, according to the Mayo Clinic. Aspirin and ibuprofen can be used to relieve chest pain. It is recommended to consult a doctor for proper treatment and diagnosis.

6. Pulmonary edema

Pulmonary edema is caused by excess fluid that accumulates in the air sac, making breathing difficult. A common cause of fluid accumulation is a heart problem, but it can also be caused by other causes, such as pneumonia, chest trauma, and exposure to certain toxins.

7. Pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis occurs due to scarring in the lungs (usually following inflammation). This condition can manifest as difficulty breathing, chest discomfort and fatigue. Steroids and natural amino acids can be used to treat this problem.

Other treatment options include oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and breathing support. In severe cases, a surgical procedure may be used to remove fibroids and relieve other symptoms.

8. Atelectasis

Atelectasis occurs when part of the lung collapses. This makes it difficult to breathe in and out. Atelectasis may result from injury or an underlying lung infection.

Treatment for this condition must begin at an early stage. It will unblock the airways, helping to open the collapsed lung.

9. Asthma

Asthma is a respiratory disorder that causes the airways to swell and produce more mucus. This disease is characterized by wheezing, difficulty breathing, and coughing.

An inhaler may be used to relieve asthma symptoms such as cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

10. Lung infection

A viral infection in the lungs can also lead to noise, shortness of breath and cough due to blockage, irritation and inflammation of the airways.

The wheezing sound may be the result of fluid or mucus building up inside the lungs. With a lung infection, sounds can often be heard even without a stethoscope.

Treatment

Treatment may vary depending on what the underlying cause is. When diagnosing the condition, the doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to breathing. Although rare, in severe cases wheezing can sometimes be heard without a stethoscope.

To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may need to order a chest x-ray, blood test, sputum test, or electrocardiogram to check for heart problems. The cessation of wheezing is associated with the elimination of the underlying cause.

When the cause is chronic lung disease, in addition to the prescribed medication, you need to make some lifestyle changes to control the symptoms. This applies to people who smoke. General treatment options may include:

  • Using inhaled steroids to reduce inflammation
  • Oxygen therapy helps make breathing easier
  • Using a bronchodilator to relax and open blocked airways.

Folk remedies

When the problem is accompanied by other symptoms such as back pain, shortness of breath or runny nose, there are some effective home remedies that can be used to relieve some of these symptoms. If symptoms persist, the underlying cause must be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

1. Steam inhalation

Inhalation is one of the best methods that can be used in this case. Moisture and heat will help break down and dissolve mucus blocking your airways.

  • Take a basin or bowl of hot water
  • Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil
  • Bend over the container and cover yourself with a dry towel so as not to lose heat or moisture.
  • Carry out the procedure until you feel relief.

2. Ginger

Ginger is a great remedy to try when treating respiratory problems. In addition to strengthening the immune system to speed up healing, it has anti-inflammatory properties and polyphenols that can help inhibit mucus production.

  • Grind small pieces of ginger and place in a glass of hot water
  • Close the glass and leave it for five minutes
  • Add a tablespoon of raw honey (ideally Manuka honey, although it is very expensive) and drink the mixture
  • You can also chew a piece of ginger.

3. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an excellent decongestant. It helps thin out mucus, which reduces the congestion that causes wheezing in the lungs. This is an excellent folk remedy for pneumonia.

  • Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to a glass of hot water
  • Add a tablespoon of honey to the solution
  • Drink the mixture while it is hot.

4. Lemon

Lemon juice contains citric acid, which can help reduce mucus thickness. This can help separate it easily from the airway, which will eliminate the noise.

Drinking juice will also help strengthen your immune system thanks to vitamin C. You can eat fresh lemon or squeeze and drink the juice.

5. Honey

Honey can help thin mucus to unblock the airways, eliminating wheezing sounds. A special product, manuka honey, is considered especially useful for these purposes, but it costs much more than usual, since the weight is imported.

  • You can eat a tablespoon of honey several times a day
  • Or mix it with warm water and then drink this liquid.

Healthy lungs and bronchi mean a full life and work for all other organs. It is through them that the blood is saturated with oxygen. On the other hand, it is an open gate for microorganisms, fungi and viruses that cause various diseases of the respiratory system.

Wheezing in the lungs without fever with cough in any case, they are an alarming symptom, which indicates a latently developing pathology.

Do not underestimate them, but it is better to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

What is a cough like?

A cough is a clear sign of trouble in the body. This is how a person tries to get rid of phlegm and pathogens. Cough and wheezing in the lungs are not necessarily accompanied by fever.

Doctors classify them depending on their nature, duration, origin and other parameters.

The nature of the cough is:

  • dry (unproductive);
  • moist with sputum discharge.

Cough is divided according to duration:

  • acute (onset of illness, lasts 10–14 days);
  • protracted indicates that the disease is becoming chronic (from 14 to 30 days);
  • subacute indicates a viral infection, can last up to 2 months;
  • chronic (more than 2 months), it affects patients with tuberculosis or oncological pathologies of the respiratory system, as well as those who live in unfavorable environmental conditions.

For a doctor, an important symptom is the sonority of the cough. Barking, muffled, hoarse or ringing sounds are signs of different diseases or their stages.

Heart cough

The cause of a cough may be a diseased heart. A cardiac cough poses no less of a health threat than a pulmonary cough.

Its cause is congestion in the lungs due to a decrease in the ability of the heart to fully pump blood.

The liquid that penetrates and accumulates in the lungs causes bronchial irritation and coughing.

Diseases that cause cardiac cough:

  • Hypertension;
  • Cardiac ischemia;
  • Cardiosclerosis;
  • Mitral valve damage;
  • Myocardial infarction and other cardiac pathologies.

A cardiac cough is usually dry and resembles bronchitis. It cannot be ignored; it can cause cardiac asthma or pulmonary edema.

Origin and classification of wheezing

Healthy lungs should not make any sounds when breathing, since the bronchial and pulmonary passages are free of mucus and other obstructions to air flow.

Wheezing in the lungs and bronchi is a pathological noise that occurs during inhalation and exhalation only when the airways are swollen and narrowed or when they are filled with phlegm. The noises are called inspiratory (on inspiration) and expiratory (on exhalation).

Causes of wheezing:

  • inflammation of the respiratory tract due to infection or viruses (bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory viral diseases, influenza);
  • allergic bronchial asthma;
  • heart pathologies;
  • pulmonary tuberculosis;
  • lung tumors;
  • entry of a foreign body;
  • occupational diseases associated with constant exposure of dust to the respiratory tract.

One of the leading causes is the wheezing breathing of a heavy smoker who has climbed to the 3rd floor.

In inflammatory processes, wheezing and coughing are usually accompanied by fever. However, doctors are increasingly recording cases where patients suffer from pneumonia or bronchitis on their legs, since there are no other symptoms in the form of high fever, weakness and temporary disability.

Tuberculosis is also not always accompanied by fever. It can appear only in the evening and not exceed 37 - 37.5°C.

The cause of wheezing and coughing may be phlegm that remains after pneumonia. If these phenomena in adults do not go away for a long time after the illness, it is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.

It is important to know what wheezing is and what it can mean. Self-medication in this case is completely unacceptable.

Types of wheezing

Wheezing is distinguished by sound, volume, and localization. These indicators help make a diagnosis. Their loudness indicates the depth of damage to the respiratory tract. However, when diagnosing, the doctor also takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient’s body.

Dry bronchial spasm;
bronchial asthma;
pneumosclerosis;
pharyngitis;
laryngitis;
emphysema;
pneumonia (initial stage)
Wet inflammatory bacterial and viral diseases;
tuberculosis;
pulmonary edema;
heart disease (stagnation in the pulmonary circulation);
tumors;
thromboembolism (blockage) of the pulmonary artery;
acute renal failure;
bronchial asthma
Whistling Damage to small bronchi and bronchioles

Dry wheezing is formed as a result of swelling of the bronchi or the accumulation of very viscous sputum. They are also distinguished by length (during inhalation and exhalation) and by audibility.

Distant (or oral) are those that are heard not only when listening, but also at a distance.

Loud sounds accompanied by gurgling, clearly audible even at a distance, are characteristic of the accumulation of a large amount of sputum.

Depending on its viscosity and the lumen of the affected bronchus, three types of wheezing are distinguished:

Another division of moist rales is sonorous and non-sonorous.

  • Silent wheezing is characteristic of acute and chronic bronchitis.
  • Sonorous (or sonorous) - for tuberculosis, pneumonia, heart failure, when the bronchi are surrounded by dense lung tissue.

The diagnosis is based not only on the nature of cough and wheezing. Examination and auscultation of the patient, as well as blood tests and x-rays allow the pathology to be determined with maximum accuracy.

Wheezing on inspiration

During inhalation, the noise is produced by fluid in the lungs (sputum, exudate, effusion, blood), which foams when air enters it. Moist rales are usually heard during inspiration, assessed by their caliber and sound. In this way, it is determined which part of the lungs or bronchi is affected.

Wheezing when exhaling

On exhalation, dry wheezing is indicative of diagnosis. They may be buzzing, whistling or hissing. Wheezing is characteristic of a condition where the lumens of the bronchi are greatly narrowed.

A whistling sound in the lung when exhaling indicates the presence of obstructive bronchitis. Buzzing wheezing is a symptom of exacerbation of chronic bronchial inflammation.

Cough and wheezing in children

Parents don't always need to panic if they hear their baby wheezing. They may be the result of prolonged screaming. Associated symptoms such as blue skin, difficulty breathing for 5 minutes or more, vomiting. In this case, an ambulance is needed.

Remote wheezing is one of the manifestations of the clinical picture of allergic bronchial asthma in children.

Infants under one year of age find it difficult to cough up mucus on their own, especially in the first months of life, when they move little. This is why the strong gurgling wheezes that frighten the mother occur.

In general, infants suffer from inflammation of the bronchioles and alveoli more often than older children. Since coughing is common in children, it is advisable for mothers to know what it means when phlegm gurgles in the chest when inhaling or why the child wheezes when coughing. This will allow her to most accurately describe the symptoms to the doctor for a speedy diagnosis.

Light squelching wheezing in the nasopharynx may appear due to snot flowing along its back wall. The child cannot draw them in, which causes loud wheezing when breathing. To get rid of sniffles, you need to rinse your child’s nose with saline solution or special preparations sold in pharmacies.

For children aged one year and older, another danger arises - swallowing small objects that can cause blockage of the airways. If the baby wheezes and coughs despite being in full health, this is a reason to immediately call an ambulance. Another alarming symptom is a hoarse voice combined with a cough when false croup develops.

If a child has wheezing and coughing, even if they are not accompanied by fever, this is an absolute indication for hospitalization. The approach to treatment is individual and depends on the cause of their appearance.

Treatment of wheezing and cough in adults

Isolated wheezing that occurs with influenza and is not associated with damage to the lungs and bronchi is treated with expectorants in combination with antiviral therapy and folk remedies.

Wheezing with asthma

An asthma attack is usually accompanied by dry wheezing. When they disappear, this means that the lumen of the bronchi has completely closed and the person is in danger of suffocation. If the medicine for bronchospasm does not help the patient, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Lungs and pregnancy

During pregnancy, the load on many organs increases, and primarily on the lungs. After all, now the expectant mother needs to supply oxygen not only to herself, but also to the developing baby.

In the second half of pregnancy, the enlarged uterus begins to compress the diaphragm and, accordingly, the lungs. Wheezing can be caused by congestion in the pulmonary circulation. In this case, treatment is carried out by a cardiologist.

During pregnancy, women often suffer from bronchitis and pneumonia. Both diseases can be manifested only by wheezing and coughing without fever. This is due to decreased immunity.

Protracted bronchitis threatens infection to penetrate the fetus through the placenta. This is his main danger. It can be cured quickly and without consequences if you consult a doctor in time and strictly follow his recommendations.

Many women wonder how to treat these diseases during pregnancy. Antibiotics may be prescribed if pneumonia or bronchitis poses a greater threat than the drug. In addition, modern medicine has drugs that are practically safe for the fetus, in contrast to the inflammatory process that occurs in the body of a pregnant woman.

Video: dangers and consequences of respiratory tract diseases in children

Wheezing in the lungs when breathing in an adult without fever or cough indicates the presence of pathology of the respiratory system. This may be a mild, sluggish inflammation in the bronchi, which is a consequence of acute bronchitis that has not been fully cured, or a much more complex disease with the systematic formation of mucus in the bronchial lumen. The latter process requires detailed study by a pulmonologist in order to make a final diagnosis and establish the cause of the accumulation of sputum in the lungs, through the presence of which wheezing is heard from the lungs during inhalation and exhalation. You can independently understand the cause by comparing the symptoms and conditions for each condition that we have collected for you in this article.

Causes of wheezing

In any case, this disease is not typical for pulmonary pathology, since most respiratory diseases cause a rise in temperature and the urge to dry or wet cough in an adult. Wheezing can form in the bronchi even due to the presence of a small amount of blood in them. This phenomenon is often observed in patients prone to internal bleeding, when the concentration of platelets in the blood is reduced and its clotting function is impaired.

If the air passes unhindered, and the characteristic whistle from the lungs is heard only when exhaling, then such wheezing is called wet. Dry wheezing is often combined with a cough, but without fever.

The whistle coming from the patient's throat is a physiological process occurring in the lungs, which is a spasm of the bronchial lumen. The degree of its contraction determines how noisy the wheezing will be. Bronchospasm can occur from the reaction of the respiratory organ to an internal or external irritant, or due to periodic excess mucus.

In modern pulmonology, the following causes of wheezing in the lungs in adults without cough and fever are identified:

  1. Not typical pneumonia or chronic bronchitis. Often these diseases do not necessarily occur with fever. They may not be noticeable for a long period of time if the inflammatory focus affects a small area of ​​the lung or bronchi.
  2. Bronchial asthma. On average, in 90% of cases of wheezing during inhalation and exhalation during breathing, this is an allergic spasm of the bronchial lumens. This reaction of the body can be considered a severe degree of allergy. Bronchial wheezing always intensifies at the onset of an attack. Depending on the severity of the disease, sputum in the bronchi may accumulate in small quantities or be absent altogether. Treatment of this respiratory pathology is always specific and is based on the patient’s susceptibility to certain potential allergens.
  3. Stagnation of blood in the lungs. If an adult has a disease such as heart failure, blood circulation in the vascular system in most cases is severely impaired. Congestion in the lungs often develops. Then the blood pressure in this organ rises and the smallest vessels, the capillaries, cannot withstand the overload. They burst and a small amount of blood enters the bronchi. This foreign biological fluid in this part of the body irritates the respiratory system and provokes wheezing.
  4. Oncological pathology. Until the 2nd stage of tumor development, the patient does not experience a cough and the disease signals itself only by periodic bronchospasms. In this regard, a characteristic whistle is heard from the lungs. This symptom does not last long, so adults sometimes ignore the signs of a serious illness. The disease is diagnosed using an X-ray or MRI of the lungs.

Depending on the individual characteristics of a person, there may be other reasons that can affect the respiratory system and the stable process of gas exchange occurring in the lungs. All these factors are established during the examination of the patient to make a final diagnosis.

General characteristics of wheezing without fever and cough

The presence of a characteristic whistle when inhaling and exhaling during breathing is always one of the manifestations of inflammation in the lungs. Even if an adult does not experience fever and cough, the following symptoms are always present: decreased appetite, shortness of breath after minor physical activity, weight loss and weakness. Special attention must be paid to these indirect signs of respiratory disease.

According to the type of manifestation, wheezing without coughing is divided into the following types:

It is important to remember that each type of wheezing emanating from the bronchi is characteristic of a certain category of lung pathologies. The presence of extraneous sounds during the patient’s breathing allows the doctor to only tentatively suspect the presence of a particular disease. The final diagnosis is made only after a more detailed examination.

Treatment of wheezing in the lungs in adults

Therapy for a patient who has wheezing during breathing during inhalation or exhalation begins immediately after the cause of their origin is established. In most cases, hospitalization in a hospital setting is not required and the patient is treated on an outpatient basis.

Depending on the type of infectious or viral pathogen, several types of drugs can be used in combination.

If there is asthmatic wheezing in the lungs, the patient must be consulted by an allergist. At this stage, it is especially important to identify the source of the allergy, which systematically irritates the bronchi, provoking their spasm. An individual diet is developed for an adult, which contains only biologically healthy foods (cereals, lean chicken, wholemeal bread). For the period of treatment, citrus fruits, apricots, alcohol, tea, coffee, chocolate, sea and ocean fish, tomatoes and all dishes made from them are removed from the diet. It is recommended to use vasodilating drugs such as Drotaverine, Eufillin, Spazmolgon.

Wheezing when breathing caused by diseases of the cardiovascular system does not require special treatment. All efforts of doctors are aimed at compensating for the negative impact of heart failure. As the heart, blood vessels are treated and blood circulation is restored, the patient is given mucolytic drugs in order to remove from the bronchi the remaining fluid that has accumulated due to a violation of the small circulatory cycle in the respiratory organs. As a rule, wheezing during inhalation and exhalation disappears immediately after normal heart function and blood flow are restored.

The most difficult process is the treatment of wheezing without cough and fever, the appearance of which is associated with an oncological process in the lungs. In such cases, it is impossible to remove extraneous noise without eliminating the tumor body that narrows the bronchial lumen. The patient is treated with chemicals, cytostatics, and undergoes radiotherapy. If necessary, surgical intervention is prescribed to remove the foreign tumor. In especially severe cases, even resection of part of the lung is possible.

Wheezing when breathing and coughing - what does the symptom indicate?

With inflammation of the bronchi and the development of pathological processes in the respiratory organs, the air ducts narrow. As a result, coughing and wheezing occur, which are signs of many dangerous diseases. These symptoms should not be ignored under any circumstances, since delays in visiting a doctor can lead to very serious complications and the disease becoming chronic.

How does a cough with wheezing manifest?

Unpleasant symptoms may sound quite obvious. For example, with obstructive bronchitis, wheezing that appears after coughing can be heard even at a great distance. Sometimes only a doctor can recognize sounds by listening to the respiratory organs. For this purpose, doctors use a lightoscope. In some cases, they can be heard by placing your ear to the patient's chest.

Doctors divide wheezing (without coughing) into:

  • Dry.
  • Wet.

They may differ in tone. Be:

  • Bass. Occurring because viscous mucus fluctuates in the bronchi. As a result of the increased density of sputum, resonant sounds appear.
  • Whistling. Appearing because inflammatory processes have developed in the respiratory organs, which have contributed to the narrowing of the lumen between the bronchi.

Dry wheezing in the lungs (without coughing) occurs when there is no large accumulation of fluid in the respiratory organs. Unproductive sharp spasmodic exhalations appear very soon.

Dry wheezing and sharp spasmodic exhalations may indicate the course of:

  • Bronchial asthma.
  • Pharyngitis.
  • Bronchitis in the initial stage.
  • Laryngitis.

Wet wheezing in the bronchi (without cough) occurs due to a large accumulation of sputum in the bronchial lumen:

  • Edema fluid.
  • Slime.
  • Blood.

Cough and wheezing in the lungs may or may not be loud. Sounds can be clearly heard if the lung tissue compresses the bronchi very tightly. This is one of the clearest indicators of the presence of pneumonia.

Silent wheezing is most often localized in the chest (lower sections). They indicate the presence of stagnant processes.

Wheezing can be:

  • Quiet and loud.
  • Various timbres.
  • High and low.

They depend on which bronchus is affected or how narrowed they are, so the hoarse cough may vary. They may be accompanied by:

  • Severe shortness of breath.
  • Pain in the chest area.
  • Weakness.
  • Chills.
  • Low-grade or elevated temperature.
  • Overexcitement.
  • Loss of voice.

Cough, wheezing in the chest - causes

There are many diseases (and quite serious ones), the symptom of which is a wet or dry hoarse cough. It can be:

  • Inflammation of the lungs.
  • Bronchitis.
  • Pharyngitis.
  • Laryngitis.
  • Bronchial asthma.
  • Emphysema.
  • Tuberculosis.
  • Heart and pulmonary failure.

Coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing are also observed if there is a foreign body in the throat or respiratory tract. Sometimes unpleasant symptoms may indicate a severe form of allergy.

A severe cough with wheezing without fever is a frequent companion of smokers, as well as people who work in production with polluted air or live in an environment unfavorable for the respiratory system. Symptoms should alert a person and force him to see a doctor. In the absence of treatment and further exposure to harmful factors, cough and hoarseness can develop into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Unpleasant symptoms are typical for acute bronchitis. At the beginning of the disease they are dry, and then develop into wet ones. In serious forms of the disease, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing may occur in parallel.

Coughing and wheezing in the throat can be caused by foreign particles entering there. This is especially common in young children. In this case, you should provide immediate first aid - clear your throat, getting rid of the irritant. If you cannot do this yourself, you should immediately call an ambulance. However, even if you manage to remove the foreign body, you should definitely visit a doctor as soon as possible. The specialist will check whether the respiratory organs have been injured.

A wheezing cough is a characteristic sign of bronchial asthma. An attack develops as a result of a spasm of the bronchial muscles. This symptom is completely typical for this disease. It is much worse if during an attack of bronchial asthma there is a cough but no wheezing. This may indicate complete closure of the airways. If this symptom occurs, you should immediately seek emergency medical help.

Whatever disease or pathological process such symptoms are caused by, it is worth remembering that self-medication is unacceptable. Only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the optimal treatment. A specialist will help you get rid of not only frightening sounds, but also the reason why they appeared.

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Wheezing in the lungs

The lungs are one of the most important human organs, because thanks to their normal functioning, the body receives oxygen, and thus maintains vital functions. When the lungs have pathology, this is often accompanied by coughing and wheezing in the lungs.

Wheezing in the lungs is a symptom that may be a residual phenomenon after an illness, or indicate an existing serious illness. Wheezing is a noise that occurs when you inhale or exhale.

Causes and classification of wheezing in the lungs

Treatment for wheezing in the lungs directly depends on what caused it. An accurate diagnosis must be made in a specialist’s office - for this, an x-ray is performed, if necessary, an ultrasound or MRI (for a detailed study), as well as a secretion analysis or biopsy.

A serious examination of the lungs is necessary, especially if the symptom of wheezing has been present for a long time and does not depend on a recent infection. The fact is that some of the most serious and relatively common diseases affect the lungs - cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia, etc. But if the symptoms of pneumonia are often obvious, then cancer and tuberculosis, as they develop, do not make themselves felt for a long time.

Wheezing in the lungs without fever

Wheezing in the lungs can occur without fever - most often the cause is pneumonia. This disease is also called pneumonia - it is accompanied by hard breathing, as well as first dry and then wet wheezing.

In the classical and theoretical understanding, pneumonia always proceeds violently, with an elevated temperature, but in medical practice there are increasingly patients who suffer the disease “on their feet”, without noticing that they have developed a pathology that requires serious treatment.

With tuberculosis, the temperature may rise to low-grade levels.

With tumor diseases of the lungs, a slight increase in body temperature for no apparent reason is also possible.

Wheezing in the lungs when exhaling or inhaling

The type of wheezing during exhalation is called expiratory. It is possible for any disease that is accompanied by wheezing in the lungs: Wheezing in the lungs when inhaling is called inspiratory wheezing. Also, as in the first case, the inspiratory type does not carry specific information for diagnosis.

Wet, wheezing sounds in the lungs

Moist rales occur in the lungs in the presence of fluid. Diseases in which this type of wheezing is possible are numerous:

  • bronchial asthma;
  • heart failure;
  • pulmonary edema;
  • pneumonia;
  • chronic obstructive diseases;
  • ARVI;
  • tuberculosis;
  • bronchitis.

Moist rales are classified into three categories:

  • finely bubbled;
  • medium bubbly;
  • large-bubbly.

They differ in sound: to get an idea of ​​the difference between them, try blowing into a glass of water using straws of different diameters.

Dry wheezing in the lungs

Dry wheezing in the lungs occurs when the gaps for the passage of air flow narrow. This symptom can occur with pneumonia, bronchitis, neoplasms, as well as at the end of an attack of bronchial asthma.

How to treat wheezing in the lungs?

The treatment for wheezing in the lungs depends on what causes it. If the cause is a bacterial infection, then in this case it is necessary to take antibacterial agents - Flemoxin, Amoxicillin.

If viruses are the cause of wheezing, then antiviral medications are needed - for example, Immusstat.

For infections and viruses, thermal procedures are indicated to treat the lungs.

Also in the treatment of bronchi, inhalations using nebulizers are widely used - if the cause of the symptom is obstructive bronchitis, then bronchospasmolytics are used.

Corticosteroid drugs are used in extreme cases - during severe attacks, in the form of inhalations.

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Cough with wheezing: causes and treatment methods

A dull, noisy and whistling sound produced during breathing indicates the formation of mucus in the bronchi and trachea . Regardless of the reasons for the occurrence of this condition of the body, it is very dangerous for human health and life, since mucus can cause blockage of the bronchi, which leads to suffocation. Cough with wheezing very often appears as a result of the development of an inflammatory process in the bronchi and bronchioles. In addition, there are other factors that cause this condition in the body.

Mechanism of symptoms

Coughing and wheezing in a child indicate that blockage of the lower small bronchi has already occurred. Often, this condition of the child’s body can be caused not by a cold or viral disease, but by the entry of a foreign object into the respiratory tract.

A child develops a cough with wheezing when there is pathological content in the respiratory tract. Often this symptom indicates the development of pneumonia. With the disease, wheezing in the lungs can be wet or dry. If the lungs swell, you can hear moist rales that have a musical timbre. Bronchitis and bronchial asthma are manifested by a dry cough with wheezing in a child, and to get rid of the symptom, you need to clear the bronchi of mucus. For this purpose, expectorants are prescribed to young patients. Inhalations and warm compresses on the chest area will speed up the healing process, since such treatment procedures reduce inflammation in the bronchi. If viscous sputum forms, the patient should drink plenty of fluids. Experts also recommend doing breathing exercises that strengthen the organs of the respiratory system. Wheezing in the chest, cough and hoarse voice in a child may indicate inflammatory processes occurring in the body, such as:

  • laryngitis;
  • pharyngitis;
  • tracheitis;
  • bronchitis;
  • emphysema;
  • lungs' cancer;
  • tuberculosis.

However, signs such as cough and hoarseness are not the main indicators for making a diagnosis; for this, specialists conduct a number of studies.

Rheezing in the throat

The development of an inflammatory process in the throat and larynx leads to the child developing a hoarse voice and cough. Such symptoms arise as a result of pathogens entering the throat from the nasal cavity, after which mucus descends into the lower parts of the respiratory system. Therefore, experts strongly recommend treating even a mild cough, since it can quickly lead to the development of laryngitis, tracheitis or pneumonia.

If a child has a cough and a hoarse voice, he most likely develops laryngitis. This disease is considered one of the most dangerous for young children. During the day, the baby may cough a little, but at night the baby’s condition often worsens, swelling of the larynx occurs, the lumen of the respiratory tract narrows, as a result of which the child develops a hoarse voice and cough.

Parents should know how to help their child before the doctor arrives and prescribes medications. If at night you notice that attacks of barking, dry, hoarse cough in a child have begun to appear, he should be given the following help before being examined by a doctor:

  1. Provide the baby with warm drinks - milk with honey, Borjomi, tea;
  2. Keep the child in an upright position, which makes the baby’s condition easier;
  3. Give antihistamines to reduce swelling of the larynx and eliminate asthma attacks. In addition, often this condition can be the cause of an allergic reaction of the child’s body to certain irritants.

As a rule, in this case, specialists diagnose acute stenosing laryngitis. Eucalyptus inhalations are very helpful in treating this disease. To do this, you can use a decoction of the plant or essential oil.

How is wheezing in the chest treated?

To prescribe treatment for cough, hoarseness and hoarseness in the chest, the specialist examines the chest with a stethoscope and, if necessary, takes an x-ray. If an adult hears wheezing when breathing, you need to carry out warming procedures and drink a lot of warm liquid to get rid of mucus in the respiratory tract.

Sometimes patients may notice that they produce green or yellow sputum when they cough. This process indicates the penetration of a serious infection into the body and requires the use of antibiotics. When the vocal cords are involved in the inflammatory process, the voice becomes hoarse and it is difficult for the patient to speak. Treatment of hoarseness from a cold can be done using folk remedies - eucalyptus and lavender oils, warm milk, honey.

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A child has wheezing in the chest, but there is no fever or cough, what is it?

Answers:

Blumenthal Belvedere

run to the doctor.. it could be bronchitis and pneumonia, as a child I had pneumonia without fever.. does he suffocate when exercising?

Nikita qqqqqq

just phlegm, drink lazolvan

Vika Sagareva

Didn't they call the doctor? This could be bronchitis or allergic obstruction. How old is the child?

Valerik

Most likely it's bronchitis

Lena

This happens with bronchitis, but maybe his nose is just not snotty enough, mucus is moving through the nasopharynx, and that’s why he seems to be wheezing. The doctor needs to listen to what kind of wheezing

Olga

We have pneumonia, no fever, but we have sniffles and cough.

Biriuk-Wolf

This means that Mom does not need to experiment, but urgently contact her pediatrician. Pneumonia starts in different ways. Do not delay any medications without consultation... Good luck and health to you and your baby! Do not give any milk - it binds mucus and makes it difficult to clear!

Marinochka Yashina

We have this too, the first time after pneumonia, we wheezed for a week, and the second time when we had a cold, the doctor said it was because of the snot that it accumulated in the bronchi and that’s why we started wheezing.

Anyuta Volkova

definitely see a doctor. This could be pneumonia or bronchitis. There is no cure without antibiotics. Is it dangerous. My child also did not cough or have a fever; she walked with slight wheezing. Later, a sharp temperature in the low forties and pneumonia. I don’t know how to treat, but I can give a little advice:
1. While there is no temperature, you can rub it, make garlic and various warming pads, preferably on the chest and back at the same time so that it warms on both sides.
2. Inhalation from potatoes if ASMA, then I don’t know so as not to harm
3. Mustard plasters cannot be installed at temperatures
4. When the child has a fever, rub the child with water and vinegar (thirds under the knees, the crook of the arm, neck, forehead)
5. If your child feels well and has a temperature of 38 in the evening, call a doctor at night the temperature is always higher. When it smokes up to 40, it’s almost impossible to beat the syrup.
6. DO NOT CONSULT ADVICE ON THE INTERNET, IT’S BETTER TO GO TO YOUR DOCTOR AGAIN