WHEEZING

The causes of wheezing may be recalled by following the air passages from the larynx to the alveoli. Larynx. Laryngitis may obstruct the inspiration of air causing wheezing. Trachea. This brings to mind tracheobronchitis and foreign bodies. Bronchi. This prompts the recall of bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and bronchial asthma. It should also remind one of pulmonary emphysema and bronchogenic carcinoma. Alveoli. This suggests pulmonary edema with associated cardiac asthma.

Approach to the Diagnosis

CBC, chest x-ray, sputum smear, and cultures will help to diagnose infectious causes of wheezing. Bronchial asthma can be diagnosed by sputum for eosinophils and pulmonary function testing. Cardiac asthma (due to CHF) can be diagnosed by a venous pressure and circulation time, electrocardiogram (EKG) and echocardiography. Bronchoscopy may be necessary if a foreign body is suspected.

1

AU: Should “Lead” and “Arsenic” be two separate entries here?

Book Source Details

• Book Title: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care
• Author(s): R. Douglas Collins MD, FACP
• Year of Publication: 2007
• Copyright Details: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, Copyright © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Other Book Chapters Related to Wheezing

Read excerpts from these other book chapters related to Wheezing:

Copyright Details: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, Copyright © 2008 Williams & Wilkins.

More About Causes of Wheezing

• Back to symptom: Wheezing: Introduction (review 674 causes)
• Next Book Extract About Wheezing: Wheezing (Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)
• All Book Extracts: All Online Book Extracts for Wheezing

More About This Book: Title: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care Authors: R. Douglas Collins MD, FACP Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2007 ISBN: 0-7817-6812-8

 » Next page: Wheezing (Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

• Wheezing (Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)
• Wheezing - Case 1-1: 8-Month-Old Girl (Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)
• Wheezing - Case 1-3: 5-Week-Old Boy (Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)
• Wheezing - Case 1-4: 15-Month-Old Girl (Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)
• Wheezing - Case 1-5: 5-Week-Old Boy (Pediatric Complaints and Diagnostic Dilemmas)

Tools & Services:

• Bookmark this page
• Related medical articles for Wheezing:
• Take a survey relating to Wheezing
• Symptom Search
• Symptom Checker
• Medical Dictionary
• Give your feedback

Medical Articles:

• Disease & Treatments Search
• Misdiagnosis Center
• Full list of interesting articles

Forums & Message Boards

• Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
• I cannot get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for my condition?
• See all the Boards.

Enter your search terms Submit search form
Search The Web Search wrongdiagnosis.com

Common Health Mistakes

Symptom
Checker

Search Specialists by State and City