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Definition of Wheezing

By , About.com Guide

Updated October 11, 2012

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition:

Wheezing is defined as a whistling sound during expiration (breathing out) caused by air moving through narrowed airways.

Wheezing can be caused by many lung conditions, including asthma, infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia, foreign objects that are aspirated (breathed into) the lungs, or tumors.

With lung cancer, wheezing can be caused by the presence of a tumor within or pressing on an airway, or conditions like COPD that are present along with lung cancer.

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