BREATH GASPING

          Have you ever noticed a continuous coarse , high pitched whistling voice while breathing out ??? 

Medically it is known as sibilant rhonchi ; i.e wheezing is caused by constricted or partially blocked airways , affecting normal breathing . Asthma is the most common cause of recurrent wheezing .but it can leads to other serious disorders.

CAUSES 

• Asthma
• Lung cancer
• Gastroesophageal reflux disoreder
• Bronchitis
• Bronchiolitis
• Epiglottitis
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Pneumonia
• Respitratory tract infections
• Medications like Aspirin
• Smoking
• Vocal cord dysfunction
• COPD
• Anaphylaxis 
• Cystic fibrosis
• Congestive heart failure 

Asthma is more common in adult women than adult men . But among children, it is more common among boys .

IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE:

• Unexplained wheezing
• Wheezing occurs for the first time
• Feel suffocated
• Greenish or grey phlegm
• Frothy pink or white phlegm could be a symptom of heart failure
• Wheezing due to an allergic reaction
• Bloody phlegm in cough or you have localized chest pain ; could be symptom of pulmonary embolism.
• Swelling in face or throat. 

Among children aged 5 to 17 , asthma is a leading cause of school absences from a chronic illness.

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT 

• Chest X-ray 
• Chest CT-Scan
• Oximetry ( checking the oxygen level in the blood)
• spirometery ( measuring ling functions)
• Blood tests to check for infections
• Bronchoscopy
• Laryngoscopy
• Once the diagnosis are assessed , treatment measures will be taken with regareds to specific cause of wheezing.

Young teenagers are nearly 40 % more likely hood to have asthma symptom if they eat fast or junk food more than thrice a week.

HOmeCare & Prevention

• Breathe moisturised air 
• Avoid dry / cold climates 
• Avoid substances thats trigger wheezing like pollen grains or other allergens.
• Stop smoking 
• Get vaccinated for pneumonia and influenza
• Get regular exercise
• Maintain a healthy weight 
• Eat plenty of fruits & vegetables 
• Take all prescribed medicines as directed , especially medications for respiratory ailments.
• Maintain optimal humidity. 

Wheezing can be triggered by changes in weather condition .