Pathological breathing noises

Breath sounds can be divided into abnormal breathing sounds or normal or healthy breathing sounds. In the case of pathological breathing noises, there may also be background noises from the lungs. Abnormal breathing sounds can also be called Stridor are designated.

What are abnormal breath sounds?

In the case of pathological breathing noises, there may also be background noises from the lungs. Diseased breathing sounds can also be referred to as stridor.

Narrowing of the airways, especially in the windpipe, can lead to abnormal breathing noises. These abnormal breathing noises are mostly perceived by people as hissing or whistling.

Diseased breathing sounds known as stridor can be divided into inspiratory stridor (during inhalation, larynx, windpipe, example: croup, pseudocroup) and expiratory stridor (during exhalation, lung diseases such as bronchial asthma).

Healthy breath sounds, on the other hand, are a product of swirling air currents. They are usually noiseless or barely audible.

causes

Causes of abnormal breathing noises in the context of a stridor can be the constriction in the nose (sniffing), constriction in the throat (snoring), constriction in the larynx (whistling) and constriction in the windpipe (humming). Various diseases can be the cause of abnormal breath noises. Examples include: bronchial asthma, chronic lung disease, bronchitis, aspiration and pseudo croup.

Further causes of abnormal breathing sounds are hyperventilation and pathological disorders. Additional pulmonary noises, caused by diseases of the respiratory organs, can also be the reason for abnormal breathing noises. Furthermore, pathological breathing noises can be divided into wet and dry noises. The rattle that occurs with the damp noises is caused by the increased secretion of the bronchi and trachea. Dry sounds often appear as hum or whistling.

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Diseases with this symptom

• bronchial asthma
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• bronchitis

• Goiter
• diphtheria
• Pseudo croup

• Aspiration (ingestion)
• Lung cancer
• Heart failure

Diagnosis & course

In order to diagnose abnormal breathing noises, medical clarification is required, as the causes can be varied. After a thorough anamnesis, in which the doctor asks about the patient's complaints and lifestyle (smoking!), A physical examination follows.

If there are no obvious reasons, such as pneumonia or larynx infection, the doctor will likely perform an X-ray examination to rule out a narrowing of the airways (stridor). Depending on the cause of the breath noises, the expected course can be very different:

Inflammatory diseases usually heal without consequences if properly treated and avoiding smoking, which means that breathing sounds also disappear. If the cause is more serious (asthma, enlarged thyroid, tumor), the course depends on the underlying disease.

Complications

Diseased breathing noises, also known as stridor, occur primarily in various respiratory diseases. Accordingly, there are different complications. One cause is, for example, breathing in foreign bodies. Often part of the stomach acid is also aspirated during belching. Usually this triggers a strong urge to cough and the body is coughed up again.

However, if the foreign body slides deeper into the airways, this can lead to dangerous complications. On the one hand, if the body is large enough, it can clog the airways and lead to atelectasis or suffocation. If the body gets into the lungs, it can lead to inflammatory reactions, which results in pneumonia. In the worst case, it can lead to lung failure.

Further illnesses that lead to breathing noises are, for example, inflammatory illnesses such as bronchitis or asthma. Bronchitis usually heals quickly. It creates dangerous complications, especially in smokers who already suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). An acute asthma attack usually stops after a few minutes. In some cases, however, a status asthmaticus can develop that requires immediate emergency medical treatment. The asthma attack persists for hours despite therapy.

Diptheria can also cause breathing sounds. In the worst cases, the airways narrow and suffocate. Other complications are also possible, but rare. This includes, for example, damage to the heart valves or the kidneys.

When should you go to the doctor?

Diseased breathing sounds can have different causes. A visit to the doctor is advisable if the accompanying symptoms are cause for concern. For example, it can be accompanied by shortness of breath, pain or fever. An inspiratory or expiratory stridor is always a reason for increased introspection. In general, it is better to see one too many doctors than one too few.

If the abnormal breathing noises are noticed in a toddler, a pediatrician should be consulted immediately. The child could have a serious illness, bronchial asthma, or an allergy. Swallowing objects blocking the airways is also conceivable. In the event of strong breathing noises and bluish lips, the emergency doctor must be alerted immediately.

Medical clarification of the triggering causes is also desirable in adults. If abnormal breathing noises occur in the course of a severe cold or sore throat, it could be normal consequences of the irritated airways and the mucus. But if there is the slightest suspicion of pneumonia, immediate action is indicated. This is especially true for older people or people who have been bedridden for a long time. A damp rattle indicates secretion in the lungs.

In smokers, abnormal breathing noises can indicate asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or lung cancer. Long-term smokers should always consult a doctor if they make unusual breath noises. Rattling or whistling noises often require treatment.

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Treatment & Therapy

In the event of abnormal breathing noises, a doctor should be consulted immediately, as this symptom requires immediate medical examinations. The doctor will examine the patient very thoroughly.

In particular, the lungs and respiratory organs are checked. Computed tomography and X-rays are the classic diagnostic tools. Further treatments depend on the causes of the abnormal breath sounds.

Outlook & forecast

Various complications and problems can arise with abnormal breath sounds. They often come on during the course of a cold or flu and are a common symptom. They usually go away on their own after the cold has cleared. If there is pneumonia or tonsillitis, a doctor should be consulted for treatment. These inflammations can usually be treated well and do not lead to any further symptoms.

In the case of asthma, professional treatment by the doctor is necessary. This can lead to severe restrictions in the patient's everyday life, which reduce the quality of life.

If foreign bodies are inhaled, an emergency doctor should be called in severe cases. In the worst case scenario, this can lead to death. X-rays are usually used for diagnosis.

Treatment for abnormal breath noises is always based on their cause. In some cases, surgical interventions are necessary. Smokers should refrain from smoking when breathing abnormally and protect their lungs. Also, people with this symptom should not go to places with dirty air, as it can make the symptom worse.

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prevention

The prevention of abnormal breathing sounds is related to the prevention of all health measures for the respiratory organs. This includes absolutely not smoking. Living in the fresh air and avoiding pollutants are other good ways to keep a healthy lungs so that there are no abnormal breathing noises.

You can do that yourself

In the event of abnormal breathing noises, the person concerned should definitely refrain from smoking. Smoking severely damages the lungs and can make sounds worse. There is no immediate improvement when you quit smoking, but in the long run it can help to avoid and reduce breathing sounds.

The patient must generally take care of the health of his lungs. Staying in rooms with poor air should be avoided. The same applies to the air in large cities, which is heavily polluted by exhaust gases. This also intensifies the pathological breathing noises. Walks and being in the fresh air help here. Likewise, strong physical exertion and persistent sporting activities should be avoided. In general, a healthy diet also has a positive effect on the pathological breathing noises. Inhaling salt or essential oils can also have a positive effect.

If the noises come from breathing in a foreign body, the patient can be tapped between the shoulder blades to remove the foreign body from the lungs. If the pathological breathing noises arise due to the work activity, this may have to be given up. In principle, clarification by a doctor is recommended.