Wheezing can occur with asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory disorders that cause narrow airways. Doctors may prescribe an inhaler to relieve wheezing. Home remedies may also offer some relief.

Since so many conditions can cause wheezing, people should speak with a doctor to diagnose the underlying cause if they experience concerning symptoms.

People should seek emergency medical help if they experience chest pain and sudden difficulty breathing.

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Wheezing happens when blockages or inflammation of a person’s airways makes their breathing sound like whistling or squeaking. Various conditions can cause this symptom.

Wheezing can occur when someone is breathing out, breathing in, or both. If a person experiences a wheezing sound when breathing out, it typically means they are only exhaling at around half their usual capacity.

The duration and severity of wheezing may depend on where in the airways a blockage occurs.

Wheezing typically causes a high-pitched whistling or musical sound that aligns with a person’s breathing.

However, it can vary in volume, duration, and pitch depending on the characteristics and severity of the obstruction in the airways.

Doctors will typically need a stethoscope to listen to wheezing during a diagnosis. In some cases, they may be able to hear wheezing without a stethoscope.

There are many different causes of wheezing. A person’s age, health condition, and environment can alter their risk of wheezing.

Some potential causes include:

Depending on the cause of wheezing, people may also experience other symptoms, including discomfort when breathing or a choking sensation.

Causes in babies and children

Newborns breathe only through the nose, so when they experience congestion or are in the wrong position, they may make a wheezing or squeaking sound.

Wheezing in children is common. Around 1 in 3 children experience wheezing before 3 years of age.

However, lower respiratory infections, such as bronchiolitis, can also cause wheezing in babies and children. Wheezing may also result from other conditions, such as asthma, physical blockages, and allergies.

Wheezing is a symptom rather than a condition. To determine the cause of a person’s wheezing, a doctor will assess current symptoms, review the patient’s medical history, and perform a thorough physical examination.

They may want to determine the following:

  • the frequency and severity of the wheezing
  • whether it is a new or recurring problem
  • any other symptoms

Doctors may order various tests to determine the cause of wheezing, including:

Doctors will treat the underlying cause of wheezing to reduce symptoms. This may involve medications or home management:

Medications

In the short term, bronchodilators can reduce the severity of symptoms. Bronchodilators help relax the lungs and prevent the airways from narrowing. They can help with wheezing caused by COPD and asthma.

In the case of wheezing from allergies, allergen medications such as antihistamines and immunotherapy can help.

Immunotherapy is a process of retraining the immune system not to react to allergens. The most common form of immunotherapy is allergy shots.

A wide variety of medications can treat wheezing due to an underlying illness. For example, a person who experiences wheezing due to a severe allergic reaction may require epinephrine or corticosteroids.

Home remedies for wheezing

Home remedies will not treat every cause of wheezing. If a person has asthma or another medical condition that causes wheezing, they should speak with their doctor and use any prescription medications, such as an asthma inhaler.

The following home treatments for wheezing aim to open the airways, reduce the irritants or pollution that a person breathes in, or treat the underlying causes.

Home remedies for wheezing may include:

  • Steam inhalation: Inhaling warm, moisture-rich air for 10 to 15 minutes once or twice a day can help to clear the sinuses and open the airways.
  • Hot drinks: Warm and hot drinks may help to loosen the airways and relieve congestion.
  • Breathing exercises: Breathing exercises may help people with conditions such as COPD and asthma to strengthen the muscles in their airways and improve lung efficiency.
  • Humidifiers: Humidifiers may help to relieve irritation to the airways due to dry air.
  • Air filters: A home air filter may reduce the presence of irritants that can trigger wheezing and breathing trouble.
  • Identifying and removing triggers: Chronic illnesses such as asthma and allergies may worsen in response to certain triggers, such as stress or allergens. Avoiding these triggers as much as possible can help.

It may be difficult to diagnose the cause of wheezing based on symptoms alone, and a person should see their doctor if wheezing is causing concern.

If a person experiences any of the following, they should go to the emergency room:

What is wheezing a symptom of?

Wheezing is a common symptom of asthma. However, it can occur due to any type of airway blockage or restriction. Other conditions that may cause wheezing include respiratory infections, allergies, and COPD.

How to treat a wheezing cough?

Treatment for a wheezing cough may depend on the underlying cause. Doctors may prescribe medications or recommend home remedies and lifestyle changes, such as steam inhalation and quitting smoking.

People should speak with a healthcare professional for a diagnosis.

How long does it take for wheezing to go away?

The underlying cause of wheezing may affect its duration. For example, wheezing due to a foreign object in the airways may go away when someone removes the object. However, conditions such as asthma may cause chronic, intermittent wheezing.

Seeking a diagnosis and treatment may help to get rid of wheezing.

Wheezing is a high-pitched, whistling sound that occurs when a person breathes in or out. It occurs due to a blockage in the person’s airways.

The outlook for wheezing depends on its cause. People may be able to manage this symptom with prescription medications and home treatments, if it is due to a chronic condition.

If wheezing is causing concern, it is essential to remain calm. Keep breathing slow and regular and seek medical treatment when appropriate.