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Wheezing is a sign, indicating that a person may have breathing problems. It is a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing, occurring when air flows through narrowed breathing tubes. It usually occurs when a person breathes out but in some people, it may be heard when they inhale. About one fifth of all children suffer from wheezing till they are about ten years of age.
Causes
Common causes of wheezing are:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Medication-induced bronchoconstriction
- Pulmonary edema
- Tracheobronchitis, and
- Vocal cord dysfunction
- anaphylaxis
Less common causes of wheezing include:
- Amyloid deposition
- Carcinoid syndrome
- Chondromalacia
- Descending aortic aneurysms
- Postlobectomy bronchial torsion
- Postradiation stenosis
- Tracheo-broncheal tumors
- Tracheal stenosis
- Tracheomalacia
- Aspiration (foreign particles or foods)
Treatments
- Mild wheezing may be relieved by drinking plenty of juice, water, weak tea, and broth. Ice-cold drinks should be avoided.
- A vaporizer can help clear air passages. A steam tent, created by lowering the face toward a sink filled with hot water, placing a towel over the head and sink, and inhaling the steam, can do likewise.
- Bronchodilators (medications that help widen narrowed airways) may be prescribed for patients whose wheezing is the result of asthma.
- Antibiotics are generally used to cure acute bronchitis and other respiratory infections. Expectorants coughproducing medications) or bronchodilators are prescribed to remove excess mucus from the breathing passages.
- If wheezing is caused by an allergic reaction, antihistamines will probably be prescribed to neutralize body chemicals that react to the allergen.
Natural Cures
- In a cup of water, soak 1 tsp. Of fenugreek seeds overnight. Add 1tsp of ginger juice and honey. Take this mixture, both in the morning and evening.
- Juice of one lemon, diluted with water, and taken with meals, gives a good result.
- 10 cloves of garlic boiled in 30 ml of milk, is best to cure wheezing.
- 5 grams of Indian gooseberry mixed with 1 tsp of honey makes, a great expectorant to treat wheezing.
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