Wheeze sound

• Wheeze:

  • Whistling sound produced by airflow vibrating a narrowed or compressed airway as it rushes through
• Monophonic wheeze:

  • single sound created by a single obstructed airway e.g. tumour or inhaled object
• Polyphonic wheeze:

  • multiple sounds due to widespread airway obstruction e.g. asthma
• Wheeze:

  • Usually first heard on expiration
  • If the wheeze is heard on inspiration, the narrowing is more severe
• Wheeze - Causes:

  • Bronchospasm
  • Mucosal oedema
  • Sputum
  • Foreign body/tumour
  • Pulmonary oedema (known as cardiac wheeze)