Why do i have wheezing in my chest

So any shortness of breath should improve, and that may help to reduce wheezing. To practice this technique, start by relaxing your neck and shoulders. Inhale slowly through your nose for two counts, then pucker your lips as if you were going to make a whistling sound. Exhale slowly for four counts.

Repeat this exercise several times until you feel more at ease. Your wheezing may subside or at least improve somewhat after pursed lip breathing. For some people, exercising in dry, cold weather can cause their airways to tighten.

As your breathing increases, you may start to wheeze. This is known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and it can affect people both with or without chronic asthma. Get more tips for managing asthma triggered by cold weather. If you have wheezing along with any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical care:.

If you start wheezing after choking on something, encountering an allergen, or being stung by a bee, seek emergency treatment as soon as possible. Wheezing happens when your airways narrow, usually in response to an illness, irritation, or an underlying condition.

Shortness of breath is an uncomfortable condition that can make it hard to carry out daily tasks. Learn about the differences between asthma and bronchitis. Allergies and asthma share some symptoms and often occur together. The same substances that cause allergies can trigger asthma symptoms. Can halotherapy really clear out your lungs and cure depression?

Learn more about measuring your peak flow rate and 7 meters on the market. Pulmonary function tests PFTs are a group of tests that measure how well your lungs work. Learn about the different types. Spirometry is an important test for your lung health. Learn what to expect from the test and how to interpret your results.

Sitting in a warm, steamy bathroom can sometimes help. Dry, cold climates can worsen wheezing, especially when exercising outdoors. Complementary medicines , such as herbs and supplements, may also help control your wheezing. These alternative remedies may help alleviate asthma-induced wheezing:.

Shop for a humidifier. Also shop for vitamin C supplements , vitamin E supplements , and gingko biloba.

If you avoid treatment or fail to follow your treatment plan, your wheezing could worsen and cause further complications, such as shortness of breath or an altered mental state. However, taking your prescribed medications along with recommended home remedies can improve your symptoms. This can lead to dangerous relapses. The outlook for people who wheeze depends on the exact cause of their symptoms. Chronic asthma and COPD often require long-term treatment. Make sure to tell your doctor if your wheezing reoccurs or worsens.

This often means that you need a more aggressive treatment plan to prevent complications. Read this article in Spanish.

Try these six tips for relief. Allergies and asthma share some symptoms and often occur together. The same substances that cause allergies can trigger asthma symptoms.

Inspiratory and expiratory wheezing occur when you inhale or exhale, respectively. Here's what causes these conditions, how they differ, and how to…. Abnormal breath sounds can indicate a lung problem, such as an obstruction, inflammation, or infection. Learn about breath sounds and what they may…. Learn more about measuring your peak flow rate and 7 meters on the market.

Pulmonary function tests PFTs are a group of tests that measure how well your lungs work. The main cause of COPD is smoking. Bronchiectasis is an abnormal widening of one or more airways. Extra mucus is made in the abnormal airways, which is prone to infection. The main symptom is a cough which produces a lot of sputum. You may also cough up some blood from the abnormal inflamed airway and become wheezy.

There are various underlying causes of bronchiectasis. For example, a previous severe lung infection, some inherited conditions and some other conditions that can damage part of an airway. Bronchiolitis is an infection of the small airways of the lung the bronchioles. It is a common condition of babies. Most affected babies are not seriously ill and make a full recovery.

Sometimes it becomes more serious and hospital care may be needed. It is usually caused by a virus called the respiratory syncytial virus RSV. Bronchiolitis in the UK usually occurs in the winter months November to March. An infection anywhere in the respiratory tract may trigger wheezing. For example, infection of the bronchi acute bronchitis is common in adults and may cause some wheezing in addition to other symptoms.

A viral respiratory infection is a common cause in young children. These include lung cancer, various inflammatory conditions and various uncommon and rare lung disorders. Your doctor is likely to ask various questions about the nature of the wheezing and ask if you have any other symptoms. He or she will also examine you. Following a doctor's assessment, the likely cause may be clear and your doctor will advise on what to do next.

Tests may or may not be appropriate. Many people have repeated episodes of wheezing when the cause is usually clear.

For example, people with asthma or COPD. However, if the cause is not clear, or you are seriously unwell, your doctor may refer you for one or more tests. The tests done can vary depending on the suspected cause which is often based on your other symptoms and the doctor's examination. Tests that are commonly done include a chest X-ray and lung function tests.

The treatment depends on the cause. See individual leaflets on the various diseases that can cause wheezing. Eur Respir J. Epub Feb Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy.

Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions. In this article What is wheezing?

What should I do if I am wheezing? Understanding the airways and the lungs What are the causes of wheezing? What assessment and tests may be done?