wheezing

(noun)

A continuous, coarse, whistling sound produced in the respiratory airways during breathing. This occurs when part of the respiratory tree is narrowed or obstructed or airflow velocity heightened.

Related Terms

(noun)

A wheeze (formally called "sibilant rhonchi" in medical terminology) is a continuous, coarse, whistling sound produced in the respiratory airways during breathing. For wheezes to occur, some part of the respiratory tree must be narrowed or obstructed, or airflow velocity within the respiratory tree must be heightened.

Related Terms

Examples of wheezing in the following topics:

  • Asthma

    • Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
    • The classic symptoms are shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness.
    • While these are the primary symptoms of asthma, in severe cases air motion may be significantly impaired such that no wheezing is heard.
    • Their guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma state that a diagnosis of asthma begins by assessing for the presence of multiple key indicators such as wheezing, coughing, or viral infections which will increases the probability of a diagnosis of asthma.

  • Allergic Responses to Drugs

    • Other less severe symptoms of an allergic reaction can include, hives, angioedema (tissue swelling under the skin, often on the face), tight throat, coughing, wheezing, or watery eyes.

  • Aging and the Respiratory System

    • This forced expiration increases pressure across walls of airways and may lead to narrowing or even wheezing.

  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

    • GERD in children may cause repeated vomiting, effortless spitting up, coughing, and other respiratory problems such as wheezing.

  • Adjustments During Exercise

    • The air in the lungs is meant to be moistened and humidified before entering the lungs, but if it is not adequately treated in the upper airways, it can induce bronchospams in the brionchioles, which cause the wheezing and coughing that occurs during an asthma attacks.

  • Bronchi and Subdivisions

    • This leads to coughing, wheezing, and dyspnea (shortness of breath).