Wheezing

Wheezing is a whistling or squeaky sound produced when air is forced through narrowed or partly obstructed airways, usually heard on breathing out. It is a sign that the small airways are tightened, inflamed or blocked. The commonest cause is asthma, where airways are twitchy and narrow in response to triggers such as allergens, cold air, exercise or infection — often with cough and chest tightness, and frequently alongside hay fever and eczema. Chest infections (bronchitis, and in young children bronchiolitis) are another common cause, as is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in older adults with a smoking history. Less commonly, wheezing can come from a severe allergic reaction (with lip or throat swelling — an emergency), heart failure ('cardiac asthma'), or an inhaled foreign object, particularly in a child with sudden wheeze. New, severe, or worsening wheeze — especially with breathlessness — should not be ignored.

• Asthma — the commonest cause; wheeze, cough and chest tightness, often with triggers and an allergic background.
• Chest infections — bronchitis; bronchiolitis in babies.
• COPD — in older adults, usually with a smoking history.
• Allergic reaction — including severe anaphylaxis with swelling (an emergency).
• Heart failure — 'cardiac asthma', with breathlessness and fluid.
• Inhaled foreign body — sudden wheeze, especially in a young child.
• Acid reflux — can trigger airway symptoms.

Wheezing is assessed mainly by examination and breathing tests rather than blood tests: listening to the chest, measuring lung function (spirometry or peak flow), and sometimes a chest X-ray. Blood tests play a supporting role — a raised eosinophil count fits an allergic/asthmatic picture, and CRP and a full blood count help when a chest infection is suspected. Where allergy is a driver, specific IgE or skin testing identifies triggers. Mediora.AI can surface a raised eosinophil pattern consistent with an allergic or asthmatic cause; the essential assessment of wheezing is clinical and includes breathing tests, with your doctor.