One thing is for sure: Wheezing is not always caused by asthma.
Yup, wheezing is often associated with asthma, but it is important to know that children may wheeze too when they get common viral infections like Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Wheezing is a common childhood symptom, and if a child has it, it usually means he is having difficulty breathing.
So, what exactly is wheezing?
If you do not have an intense activity like high-intensity interval training (HIIT), your breathing is supposed to be silent. But when you notice that it starts to sound like high-pitched whistling, it is a clear sign that something is not right.
Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound made while you breathe. It is heard most clearly when a person exhales, but in severe cases, it can also be heard when inhaling. It is caused by narrowed airways or inflammation.
What are the symptoms of wheezing?
You may experience the following as symptoms of wheezing:
a whistling sound and laboured breathing
a feeling of tightening in the chest
difficulty breathing
What causes wheezing?
The most common causes of wheezing are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But there are also other potential causes such as:
- sleep apnea
- emphysema
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- lung cancer
- heart failure
- bronchitis
- respiratory tract infection
- reaction to smoking
- pneumonia
Wheezing may be a symptom of a more serious breathing problem that requires diagnosis and treatment, so it is best to see your doctor to learn more about your condition.
If you can’t seem to get relief from your symptoms, you may try taking herbal lung health supplements. A few small studies have shown that herbal supplements can soothe symptoms of asthma, including wheezing. If you are wondering what options you have, Lignosus is a natural and healthy lung supplement that is meant to strengthen your respiratory system and soothe respiratory disease symptoms like wheezing.