Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
close window
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
When to see a doctor
By Mayo Clinic staffTalk to your doctor if wheezing is happening for the first time, if it's a recurrent, unexplained problem, or if it's accompanied by:
- Difficulty breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Altered mental state
- Allergic reaction to an insect bite or medication
Seek emergency care if wheezing is severe or results in:
- An inability to catch a breath
- Hives and swelling in the face or throat
Self-care measures
To ease wheezing, try these tips:
- Breathe moisturized air. Sit in the bathroom with the door closed while running a hot, steamy shower or use a vaporizer. Moist, warm air may help relieve wheezing in some instances.
- Take all prescribed medications as directed, especially respiratory inhalers.
References
- Irwin RS. Diagnosis of wheezing illnesses other than asthma in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
- Weiss LN. The diagnosis of wheezing in children. American Family Physician. 2008;77:1109.
- Fakhoury K. Wheezing illnesses other than asthma in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
- Wheezing. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec05/ch045/ch045j.html#. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
- Kraft M. Approach to the patient with respiratory disease. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/224115160-2/0/1492/347.html?tocnode=54615300&fromURL=347.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50088-4_3500. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
- Scarfone RJ, et al. Pediatric respiratory emergencies: Lower airway obstruction. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/linkTo?type=bookPage&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00167-5. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
Share on:
Find Mayo Clinic on