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Symptoms » Breathing difficulties » Book Sections
 

WHEEZING

Wheezing is classically due to bronchial asthma, but there is a danger in jumping to that conclusion because it occurs in a few other conditions as well. The wheezing of bronchial asthma is heard primarily on expiration, whereas the wheezing of tracheal or laryngeal obstruction is heard on inspiration, such as tracheobronchitis in children. The wheezing of cardiac asthma (in congestive heart failure with acute pulmonary edema) is associated with pink, frothy sputum, whereas the sputum of bronchial asthma is thick and tenacious. Acute infectious bronchitis may simulate bronchial asthma, but the response to epinephrine is poor. This is true also of pulmonary emphysema, but the history will usually differentiate this condition from bronchial asthma. A foreign body may often be distinguished because the wheezing is unilateral.

DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP

The CBC, sedimentation rate, chest x-ray, EKG, sputum analysis and culture, and pulmonary function testing will usually assist with the clinical diagnosis. Bronchoscopy may be needed also, especially when there is hemoptysis .

Book Source Details

  • Book Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs
  • Author(s): R. Douglas Collins
  • Year of Publication: 2003
  • Copyright Details: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, Copyright © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Other Book Chapters Related to Breathing difficulties

Read excerpts from these other book chapters related to Breathing difficulties:

Medical Books Excerpts
  • ORTHOPNEA
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • STRIDOR
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • WHEEZING
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • DYSPNEA
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • SLEEP APNEA
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • Dyspnea
  • "In a Page: Signs and Symptoms" (2004)
  • Apnea
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Stridor
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Tachypnea
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Wheezing
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Dyspnea
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Apnea
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Bradypnea
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Hyperpnea
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Orthopnea
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Stridor
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Tachypnea
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Dyspnea
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Wheezing
  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
  • Dyspnea
  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
  • Apnea
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Bradypnea
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Hyperpnea
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Orthopnea
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Stridor
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Tachypnea
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Dyspnea
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Stridor
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Wheezing
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Shortness of Breath
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Wheezing
  • "Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis" (2007)
  • Apnea
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Bradypnea
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Hyperpnea
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Stridor
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Tachypnea
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Wheezing
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Dyspnea
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Bradypnea
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Hyperpnea
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Orthopnea
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Stridor
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Tachypnea
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Wheezing
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Dyspnea
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Wheezing
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • Apnea
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Bradypnea
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Hyperpnea
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Orthopnea
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Stridor
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Tachypnea
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Dyspnea
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Dyspnea
  • "The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult" (2008)
 

Copyright Details: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, Copyright © 2008 Williams & Wilkins.

More About Causes of Breathing difficulties




More About This Book:
Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs
Authors: R. Douglas Collins
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright: 2003
ISBN: 0-7817-3805-9

 » Next page: DYSPNEA (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)

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