Wheezing
Alternate Names : Sibilant Rhonchi
Definition Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound produced by air flowing through narrowed breathing tubes, especially the smaller ones deep in the lung. It is a common finding in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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Overview & Considerations
The clinical importance of wheezing is that it is an indicator of airway narrowing, and it may indicate difficulty breathing.
Wheezing is most obvious when exhaling (breathing out), but may be present during either inspiration (breathing in) or exhalation.
Wheezing most often comes from the small bronchial tubes (breathing tubes deep in the chest), but it may originate if larger airways are obstructed or in certain cases of vocal cord abnormalities.
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