Causes of Wheezing

Wheezing is a hallmark symptom of asthma, and asthma tends to be the first thought. An asthma attack certainly needs to be considered, in patients with known asthma, and in patients with as yet undiagnosed asthma. Read more about: Asthma, Asthma Attack

However, asthma is not the only respiratory disorder that can cause wheezing. Some of the other disorders include:

• Foreign body inhalation (choking)
• Fume inhalation (chemical pneumonitis)
• Airway injury (e.g. inhalation injury)
• Hyperventilation
• Shock
• Croup
• Whooping cough
• Bronchiolitis
• Epiglottitis
• Anaphylactic shock
• Tracheobronchitis
• Bronchiectasis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Aspiration pneumonitis
• Bronchial adenoma
• Bronchogenic carcinoma
• COPD
• Emphysema
• Pulmonary edema
• Congestive heart failure (causing pulmonary edema and “cardiac asthma”)
• Pulmonary embolism
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis
• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• Pulmonary hemosiderosis
• Wegener granulomatosis
• Methemoglobinemia
• Goiter (neck swelling)
• Roundworm (hookworm, ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, toxocariasis). Some types of intestinal roundworm can cause shortness of breath or wheezing during the life cycle phase where their larvae enter and then exit the lungs.
• Respiratory distress

Shortness of Breath: Any disorder that causes breathing difficulty or shortness of breath could potentially cause wheezing, or symptoms similar to wheezing. Read more about: Breathing Difficulty, Shortness of Breath.

Similar Symptoms: See also causes of similar or related symptoms, such as:

• Respiratory distress
• Breathing difficulty
• Noisy breathing
• Stridor
• Accessory muscle use
• Shallow breathing
• Rapid breathing
• Hyperpnea

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Note: This site is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. See your doctor or other qualified medical professional for all your medical needs.