Wheezing - Causes & Treatment

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 Wheezing is a condition characterized by a whistling sound coming from the chest. It occurs due to spasm of the bronchi and bronchioles. The windpipes get pressed and as the air passes through them a whistling sound is produced. This can be heard by the parents as they are standing close to the child. Wheezing occurs generally in an asthmatic child but can occur as an allergic bronchospasm as well as part of bronchopneumonia and chest infection. Wheezing is accompanied by chest in drawing, increased respiratory rate, rapid and deep breathing, intercostal recession. It can very well be a sign of pneumonia. Sometimes the mucus gets stuck and produce wheezing. A foreign body in the bronchiole can produce wheezing also.

According to Dr Mubina Agboatwalla - Child Specialist in Karachi treatment of wheezing is use of bronchodilators. These bronchodilators are given chiefly by nebulizors and help in expanding the airways. This releases the air passages and reduces the breathlessness. Oral bronchodilators are also given. In severe cases oxygen needs to be given with intravenous drugs. In some cases steroids are given to release the severe bronchospasm. Asthmatic children are very prone to develop wheezing. Some allergins like dust, smell, pollution can trigger an asthmatic attack. Children prone to allergy should be kept away fom these allergins.

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