Pulmonology

Whistling in the chest - wheezing in the chest

Wheezing or wheezing is caused by swelling of the lining of the airways and tightness of the surrounding muscles. In that case, breathing is done through already narrowed airways with turbulent air flow, during which that screeching sound (whistling-whistling) occurs. Sometimes this whistling is inaudible to the patient, but the doctor can hear it with a stethoscope. The soft airways (trachea and bronchi) can be narrowed by 1/3, and this is more common in children, since these structures are less developed and softer, so they collapse more easily. People with asthma usually have that whistling or wheezing sound when they exhale.

The treatment is specific by treating the disease that led to the inflammation, and the diagnosis is established on the basis of an examination, pulmonary function testing (spirometry), chest X-ray, CT (computed tomography of the lungs)...

Pain - pressure in the chest

Chest pain or pressure in the chest is a signal that must be taken seriously. Some of the possible causes include: cardiovascular problems, respiratory problems, digestive problems and musculoskeletal problems. Pain symptoms include sharp, dull, stabbing, or pressing pain. Other symptoms that may be associated include shortness of breath, cough, dizziness, nausea or sweating.

The most common connection is with cardiovascular problems, i.e. angina pectoris and possible acute myocardial infarction. Other possible causes of heart-related pain (cardiac pain) are related to: aortic aneurysm, heart defects (aortic stenosis, for example), untreated hypertension (high blood pressure), heart rhythm disorders if they last longer.

Pulmonary causes of non-cardiac pain include diseases such as: pneumothorax, pleuritis, pneumonia, lung abscess, tumors... Pleural pain is directly related to the respiratory cycle and body position, appears during breathing and can be alleviated by correct body position. The patient usually lies on the side of the body where he feels the pain for easier breathing. Due to the pain, the patient breathes shallowly because the pain intensifies with a deep breath. In pneumothorax, the pain can be sudden and sharp, especially after coughing, accompanied by difficulty in breathing.