Wheezing

Wheezing happens when the breathing tubes in the lungs are narrowed. You can hear a whistling sound when you breathe.

An asthma attack is a common cause of wheezing. Other causes include respiratory infections like influenza (flu) or pneumonia, bronchitis (inflammation of the airways), allergic reactions, and smoking.

Wheezing requires medical attention if it is severe or also includes difficulty breathing.

This article covers the symptoms and causes of wheezing, medications that can cause wheezing, its treatment and diagnosis, complications of wheezing, and when to get medical care for wheezing.

Symptoms of Wheezing

Symptoms of wheezing can include:

• A high-pitched whistling when breathing out, breathing in, or both
• Trouble breathing
• Symptoms of an asthma attack, such as coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath

Causes of Wheezing

The most common causes of wheezing are:

• An asthma attack, which is when airways become narrowed and cause difficulty breathing
• Breathing an unknown substance into the lungs
• Lung infections like bronchitis, emphysema, and pneumonia
• Viruses, including the common cold, in children

Other causes of wheezing include:

• Allergic reaction to an insect bite or a medication
• Acid reflux
• Heart failure
• Smoking

What Medications Can Cause Wheezing?

Several medications can cause an asthma attack, including:

• Aspirin
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These include Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen)
• Beta-blockers: Commonly prescribed for heart conditions, high blood pressure, and migraines

Allergic reactions can also cause wheezing. Common drug allergies that might cause wheezing include:

• Antibiotics
• Anticonvulsants (anti-seizure medications)
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (a type of anti-hypertensive medication)

How to Treat Wheezing

In emergency situations, treating wheezing might include:

• An asthma inhaler
• Epinephrine injection (used to combat severe allergic reactions)

Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Wheezing?

To determine the cause of wheezing that doesn't respond to at-home treatment, a healthcare provider might do the following:

• Conduct a physical exam and asked about the wheezing's timeline and severity level
• Listen to your lungs
• Blood tests, including tests to check the amount of oxygen in the blood
• Chest X-ray or lung function tests

At a hospital, treatment might include:

• Intravenous (IV) medications
• Supplemental oxygen
• Close monitoring
• Blood tests
• Chest X-ray
• Computed tomography (CT) chest scan

When to See a Healthcare Provider

It's advised to see a healthcare provider if a case of wheezing:

• Occurs regularly, especially without a known cause
• Happens without a known cause
• Occurs for the first time
• Cannot be controlled with prescribed inhalers

Wheezing can require emergency care when:

• Caused by an allergic reaction to medicine or an insect bite
• Accompanied by changes in skin color or feeling disoriented
• Causing breathing trouble

Summary

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound that happens with breathing. It usually occurs during an asthma attack, a lung illness, or when a foreign object reaches the lungs. Allergic reactions, smoking, acid reflux disease, and heart failure can also cause wheezing.

Aspirin, NSAIDs, beta-blockers, and antibiotics can increase the chance of an asthma attack or an allergic attack that could include wheezing.

Treating wheezing in an emergency might include using an asthma inhaler or an epinephrine shot for an allergy. For mild wheezing, at-home treatments include breathing in warm and humid air. Avoiding smoke, drinking warm fluids, and doing breathing exercises could also help.

Diagnosing the cause behind a case of wheezing might require a physical examination, chest X-rays, lung exams, and blood tests.

A Word From Verywell

Wheezing can be uncomfortable and even frightening, but the good news is that pinpointing the cause and preventing further instances are possible. In children, wheezing is often caused by an infection, which can also be treated. If you are experiencing wheezing for the first time, it's advised to get emergency care to rule out any life-threatening conditions like allergies or an asthma attack.