Causes of Wheezing and How to Overcome It
Wheezing is a term to describe high-pitched sounds when breathing. This sound is usually heard when exhaling. Wheezing is a symptom of a serious respiratory disorder that requires doctor's help as soon as possible.
Wheezing is characterized by breath sounds such as whistling, and can be accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the chest. Wheezing will sound louder and clearer if you cover your ear when exhaling. Usually, the doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to wheezing.
Causes of wheezing
Wheezing is caused by narrowing and inflammation of the respiratory tract in the throat and that leads to the lungs. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the most common causes of wheezing. COPD is a term used for a number of diseases that attack the lungs in the long run. This disease blocks the flow of air from the lungs, so the sufferer will experience shortness of breath.
Asthma and COPD are the most common causes, but any inflammation in the throat or airway can cause wheezing. For example due to allergic reactions, infections, or irritation of the airway. Wheezing can also be caused by factors outside the body, such as the presence of foreign objects that are accidentally inhaled. Here are the causes of complete wheeze:
- Asthma.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
- Bronchitis.
- Bronchiolitis.
- Inhaled foreign matter.
- Anaphylactic reaction.
- Pneumonia.
- Heart failure.
- Gastric acid disease.
- Vocal cord disorders.
- Sleep apnea.
- Lung cancer.
- Smoke.
Diagnosis of Wheezing
To identify the cause of wheezing, you need to see a doctor. The doctor will ask for a medical history through several questions. Among other things, when usually wheezing relapse, how long has the wheezing complaint been felt, and whether wheezing appears after eating certain foods.
Then the doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to your lungs and breath. If this is the first time you have wheezing, your doctor may recommend investigations, such as chest X-rays and breathing or spirometry tests. Other tests such as blood tests and allergy tests may also be done, depending on your history and the results of your doctor's examination.
How to deal with wheezing
Medically, treatment of wheezing depends on the cause. If wheezing is caused by asthma, there are several types of treatment that can be used:
- Bronchodilators work quickly in the form of an inhaler (inhaled drug), to dilate the respiratory tract.
- Inhaled corticosteroids.
- Combination of inhalers and corticosteroids.
- Asthma control drugs to reduce inflammation.
In addition to treatment, one of the most important steps in the treatment of asthma is to avoid the trigger factor of asthma, so that complaints of wheezing and shortness of asthma do not appear.
Whereas if wheezing is caused by bronchitis, doctors will usually give:
- Bronchodilator, to expedite breathing.
- Antibiotics, if a bacterial infection is found.
- To wheeze accompanied by severe shortness of breath and the threat of respiratory failure, this condition needs to be treated immediately by a doctor in the hospital.
Symptoms of wheezing can be relieved by hot steam. The trick is to turn on a hot shower until the room is steamy or use a steam-producing machine. But this method can only relieve and not treat, so as not to prevent wheezing from reappearing.
When to see a doctor?
You are advised to immediately see a doctor, especially if you experience the following conditions:
- The first time you experience wheezing.
- Wheezing often recurs.
- Wheezing appears after being bitten by animals, such as bees.
- Wheezing appears after taking certain drugs or foods.
- Accompanied by severe shortness of breath.
- Wheezing appears after choking on food or foreign objects.
Do not underestimate wheezing, because wheezing can be a symptom of a serious illness. Especially if wheezing with the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath to feel choked. This can be a sign of severe asthma or a severe allergic reaction.
- Dizziness, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, and accompanied by severe pain in the chest. This is a symptom of pulmonary embolism.
- Accompanied by a fever of 38 degrees Celsius or more. Wheezing accompanied by fever is a symptom of infection, such as pneumonia or acute bronchitis.
- Skin and lips look bluish (cyanosis). This condition indicates the level of oxygen in the blood decreases due to severe respiratory disorders.
As light as any symptoms of wheezing, this remains an abnormal indication in the respiratory tract. If left untreated, symptoms of wheezing have the potential to cause respiratory failure which can lead to death. Therefore, if there are signs of respiratory distress in the form of wheezing, consult a doctor immediately.
