Wheezing

The cause of wheezing may occur anywhere from your throat to your lungs. Any condition that causes irritation or inflammation — which usually includes swelling, redness, warmth and sometimes pain — in the airway can result in wheezing.

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, are the most common causes of wheezing that happens over and over again. Asthma and COPD cause narrowing and spasms, also known as bronchospasms, in the small airways of your lungs. Respiratory infections, allergic reactions, allergies or irritants can cause short-term wheezing.

Other conditions that can affect your throat or larger airways and cause wheezing include:

1. Allergies — Injury, such as from a blunt trauma or burn.
2. Anaphylaxis
3. Asthma
4. Bronchiectasis, an ongoing lung condition in which unusual widening of the bronchial tubes keeps mucus from clearing.
5. Bronchiolitis (especially in young children)
6. Bronchitis
7. Childhood asthma
8. COPD — a long-term lung disease that causes trouble with breathing.
9. Emphysema — a lung condition that causes shortness of breath.
10. Epiglottitis
11. Inhaled foreign object.
12. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
13. Heart failure — a condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should.
14. Lung cancer
15. Medicines, particularly aspirin.
16. Obstructive sleep apnea
17. Pneumonia
18. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
19. Respiratory tract infection, especially in children younger than 2.
20. Smoking.
21. Vocal cord dysfunction, a condition that affects vocal cord movement.

• Definition
• When to see a doctor