Have you ever felt that… when breathing, there is a “wheezing” or “whistling” sound?
This strange sound is not a minor issue because it may be a warning sign of important respiratory diseases, especially asthma (Asthma) which can occur from children to adults. If left untreated, it may progress to respiratory failure and can be life-threatening.
What is wheezing when breathing (Wheezing)?
“Wheezing” is a high-pitched sound that occurs during breathing, especially during exhalation, caused by narrowing of the airways, making it difficult for air to pass through. The sound resembles a soft whistle or a light whistling sound, most clearly heard when close or using a stethoscope to listen to the lungs.
The causes of wheezing when breathing can be from various causes, especially respiratory diseases such as
- Asthma (Asthma) the main cause of wheezing, especially at night or during exertion
- Chronic Bronchitis (Chronic Bronchitis)
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) such as emphysema
- Respiratory infections such as RSV or influenza
- Foreign body obstruction in the airway commonly found in young children
- Heart failure (Heart Failure) may have wheezing along with difficulty breathing
Wheezing with which symptoms requires immediate medical attention
- Difficulty breathing, easy fatigue, rapid breathing
- Chest tightness, chest pain
- Chronic cough, especially at night
- History of severe asthma or allergies
- Blue lips, blue nails, or loss of consciousness
Wheezing from “Asthma” is more dangerous than you think
Asthma is a chronic disease related to inflammation of the airways, causing bronchial constriction, resulting in wheezing during breathing. Patients may have exacerbations when exposed to allergens, cold air, dust, smoke, or even stress. If not properly treated, symptoms can become severe and even fatal.
How to diagnose and treat?
Diagnosing wheezing requires examination by a specialist, such as pulmonary function tests (Pulmonary Function Test), chest X-rays, or allergy tests. The doctor may prescribe bronchodilators or anti-inflammatory medications depending on the cause of the symptoms.
Prevent wheezing, stay away from asthma
- Avoid allergens such as dust, smoke, chemicals
- Regularly rinse your nose and clean your home
- Do not smoke and avoid cigarette smoke
- Maintain good health and properly control chronic diseases
- If there is a family history of allergies or asthma, regular health check-ups are recommended
Wheezing may be just a symptom of a bigger problem such as asthma, obstructive lung disease, or heart disease. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment by a specialist is important. Early treatment increases the chance of controlling the disease and helps prevent complications.
