Wheezing Symptoms
Symptom Checker: Symptoms & Signs Index
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Wheezing is a whistling sound that occurs during breathing, usually during expiration (breathing air out of the lungs) through narrowed airways. Inflammation of the airways, bronchospasm (tightening of the muscles around the bronchial tubes), and hypersensitivity (reactivity to triggers such as allergens, irritants, or infections) all play a role in the development of wheezing. Any conditions or diseases that can constrict the airways can lead to wheezing. Wheezing can be accompanied by other symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. Wheezing may also occur in anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
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REFERENCE:
Schiffman, George. "Asthma Medications." eMedicineHealth.com. Jan. 8, 2010; <http://www.emedicinehealth.com/understanding_asthma_medications/article_em.htm>.
Causes of Wheezing
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Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that affects a number of different areas of the body at one time, and can be fatal....learn more »In This ArticleAnaphylaxis Article- Anaphylaxis facts
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a disorder that persistently obstructs bronchial airflow. COPD mainly involves...learn more »In This ArticleChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Article- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease facts
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- What are the symptoms of COPD?
- How is COPD diagnosed?
- What treatment is available for COPD?
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Emphysema Emphysema is a progressive disease of the lungs. The primary cause of emphysema is smoking. Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is a...learn more »In This ArticleEmphysema Article- Emphysema facts
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- Smoking cessation
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- How is a heart attack treated?
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Other Causes of Wheezing
- Bacterial Infection
- Bronchiolitis
- Epiglottitis
- Foreign Object in Airways
- Virus Infection
Examples of Medications for Wheezing
- albuterol, Ventolin, Proventil, Proventil-HFA, AccuNeb, Vospire, ProAir
- budesonide inhaler, Pulmicort Turbuhaler, Pulmicort Respules
- cromolyn, Nasalcrom (Discontinued), Intal; Opticrom; Gastrocrom
- fluticasone oral disk - inhalation, Flovent Rotadisk
- fluticasone propionate oral inhaler, Flovent (Discontinued), Flovent Diskus, Flovent HFA
- ipratropium - inhalation solution, Atrovent
- ipratropium breath activated inhaler - inhalation, Atrovent
- ipratropium bromide inhaler, Atrovent, Atrovent HFA
- montelukast, Singulair
- omalizumab, Xolair
- terbutaline,Brethine, Bricanyl, and Brethaire are no longer available in the U.S.
- tiotropium capsule - inhalation
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