Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)ĬOPD is a general term which includes the conditions chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Each episode of symptoms may last just an hour or so, or persist for days or weeks unless treated. Symptoms can range from mild to severe between different people, and at different times in the same person. You may also become breathless and develop a feeling of chest tightness. The common symptoms are cough and mild wheezing. At least 1 in 10 children and 1 in 20 adults have asthma. Asthma can start at any age but it most commonly starts in childhood. From time to time the airways narrow (constrict) due to bronchospasm (described earlier). AsthmaĪsthma is a condition that affects the smaller airways (bronchioles). Below is a brief overview of the more common and important causes. Wheeze most commonly comes from problems with the smaller bronchi and/or the bronchioles. The tiny alveoli are the place where oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide (CO 2) leaves the blood when you breathe. They also have an excellent blood supply. Alveoli are tiny sacs that are lined by a very thin layer of cells. The medical term for all the air tubes is the respiratory tract.Īt the end of the smallest bronchioles are alveoli. This system of air tubes can be thought of as an upside down tree, with the trachea being the main trunk and the bronchi and bronchioles being the branches. Eventually, the bronchi become known as bronchioles - the smallest air tubes in the lungs. These bronchi then go on to divide into smaller bronchi. The right main bronchus (bronchus is the word for one of the bronchi) supplies the right lung the left main bronchus supplies the left lung. The trachea eventually divides into two parts called bronchi. A recurring wheeze when you do not have a viral respiratory infection may mean that you have asthma.Īir that we breathe enters the nose, flows through the throat (pharynx) and voice box (larynx) and enters the windpipe (trachea). In this situation it is best to seek medical advice from a doctor at some point if the symptoms do not soon clear. It is common to have a mild wheeze during a cough, cold, or similar viral infection of the respiratory tract. Wheeze without breathing difficulty or other serious symptoms
In particular, children with any breathing difficulty need to be seen as soon as possible by a doctor.) Wheeze with other serious symptomsĪgain, it is best to see a doctor immediately if you develop chest pain, cough up blood or have any other alarming symptom. However, if you do not have such a plan and become breathless, you need to see a doctor immediately. For example, if they have wheeze and become breathless then they have a plan of which medication to take. (People with asthma should have pre-arranged action plans as agreed with their doctor. If you have any breathing difficulty and do not already have clear instruction as to what to do then see a doctor immediately. Wheeze with breathing difficultyīreathing difficulty can mean breathlessness, fast breathing or difficulty getting your breath. In particular, a cough is common but other more serious symptoms may be present such as breathing difficulty. Typically, other lung or respiratory related symptoms tend to occur at the same time as wheeze. The severity of the diseases causing wheeze can vary. Wheeze is a very common symptom that can occur with a wide range of lung and airways disorders at any age.