What does asthma/wheeze sound like?

[cheesles]

Does anyone know what an asthma wheeze sounds like when breathing? Is it like a whistle when you breath out/in? Or is it not possible to hear with the naked ear and only by having a doctor listen to your chest?

previously had a wheeze but it was only heard when the doctor listened to chest. We were given blue rescue inhaler but no need for any other. Now worsening flare ups have started where the tightness is getting worse and the wheeze is actually heard by me.

also, if we suspect worsening asthma but obviously can’t exactly time a GP appointment with a predicted flare up of it, would it be ok to bring a video of the ‘wheeze’ so that they can hear what it’s like during a flare to establish if it is an asthma wheeze? Or would they need to actually hear it in real life during the flare and would we be better to wait until it flares and book an appointment?

really hope this makes sense. Thanks in advance for any help.

If you have a wheeze or other symptoms regularly, more often than previously, your GP should take that as evidence that you need a review as it means your asthma is poorly controlled.

Never wait to take your blue inhaler if you feel or notice symptoms.

Do you have a formal diagnosis of asthma?
Does your blue inhaler solve the symptoms? If not, you need emergency attention.
How often are you taking your blue inhaler in a week?

I think Asthma and Lung UK are brilliant - use their advice line then bung them a donation!

Personally I would ask for an urgent GP appointment to discuss.

And yes video or audio is fine - but they should also take your report of symptoms and work off that - many medical conditions are treated based only on patient reported symptoms e.g. headaches/migraines, pain.

Make an appointment asap - GP won't just rely in hearing a wheeze. Will listen to chest and can check peak flow. Agree with others, if the inhaler isn't resolving symptoms or frequency of inhaler use is going up, you need to arrange an urgent appointment. Going forward, check if there is an asthma nurse / clinic at your surgery - found this so helpful for my daughter. More time to go through things, look at inhaler technique etc and very child focused.

Yes, you can hear the wheeze yourself. You can also ‘feel’ it too. It can be whistle like, or rasping or even rattling. An audio isn’t a bad idea but as pp said asthma won’t be diagnosed from the wheeze alone.

I’ll definitely make an appointment for tomorrow morning and ask if there’s an asthma nurse. Should have said- getting all the usual symptoms too- tightness and not being able to take a deep enough breath mainly. Relieved by the blue reliever thankfully. Was just thrown off by the fact I could hear the whistling this time during flares whereas previously only the doctor heard it in chest so wasn’t sure if that was even asthma or not. It’s a whistling but only happens during a flare which of course typically won’t be during the appointment which is why we recorded it. Thanks all!

In my experience asthma has been diagnosed circumstantially ie symptoms are eased by blue inhaler but then reoccur so try brown inhaler to control. This was the case for both my daughter and myself who have different triggers but never any symptoms at the surgery unless post viral (we’ve both been treated in a&e once or twice though). Ie if the blue inhaler is effective at reducing symptoms, and symptoms then reoccur it is asthma and you need preventers.

I can only tell wheezing by the chest movements, I don't hear it as such.

It can present in different ways. Mine starts with a cough and then I go into a wheeze.

If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should have a preventative inhaler of some sort, not relying on the blue one to relieve symptoms. Definitely go back to the doctor to get it under control.

Does it occur in any specific circumstances? Do you have an allergy to something that sets it off for example?

No known allergies or problems, I’m sure there must be triggers but we haven’t been able to find any yet - will keep a symptom diary and see if any links. Been up several times during the night with a band round chest (not really a band, just the feeling of one) No preventative inhaler at the moment either, just told to use the reliever as needed. I will try and get an appointment tomorrow and ask if asthma nurse there

It sounds like you have worsening symptoms, don't worry about why just make sure you get medical advice www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/asthma-attack/

If you feel any symptoms after taking the blue don't mess about, ring 111 for advice at the least.

I'm a severe asthmatic and have asthmatic children
Any of these symptoms can indicate worsening asthma symptoms

Cough

Waking up at night with difficulty breathing
Wheeze
Tightness in chest
Breathlessness
Difficulty in taking a breath
Dizziness on exertion

Triggers can be anything and are usually personal
Sudden changes in temperature- cold air, hot air , steam (although steam can help too)
Exercise (especially in cold temperatures or very hot)
Stress
Any type of hay-fever type triggers such as grass tree pollen etc
Dust
Mould
Pet dander
Aerosol sprays
Strong chemical smells
Lack of fresh air circulating
Chest infections colds or flu viruses and of course any type of respiratory viruses like covid19 variants
Coughing up phlegm (usually clear white if it's just asthma , pale yellow or green if it's related to an infection that's travelled to your chest/ lungs)

If your salbutamol (blue) inhaler is easing symptoms that would suggest your asthma is worse as that's a rescue inhaler not a preventive one (you'll get both)

I'm glad you are making an appointment with GP
They will likely give you a peak flow meter too , hopefully to take home. That's the best measure if there is a gradual deterioration or onset of asthma symptoms - so for eg
My peak flow is 450 when my asthma is well controlled , when it deteriorating it drops to 300 and it's severe when I can't get it above 200 Ie less than half my lung capacity ( but by then I'm breathless on any walking or trying I talk)

Your GP (or asthma nurse if you have been diagnosed) will be able to assess and they are great with asthma usually

Sorry the coughing up phlegm was supposed to be under symptoms of asthma part

You need to see the doctor asap. No one with asthma should be without a preventer. Your symptoms sounds serious and worsening, ask for an urgent appointment.

Videos can be helpful and yes that could be an asthma wheeze.

You should have a proper asthma plan - look on the asthma uk website to give you a good idea about them.

@cheesles
I hope you got an appointment with GP today

Please don't think that potential asthma is something that can wait as it's urgent and worth an emergency appointment with GP is you are waking up with tightness in your chest unable to breathe well

Asthma kills more than 1400 people a year in England and wales (2019 figures) so it isn't something to be taken lightly , so if at any point you can't breathe and blue inhaler isn't helping then call and ambulance if you need it.
Nor should any respiratory problem be taken lightly - breathing is pretty essential!

I'm not saying that to scare you but because sometimes when you've not been diagnosed people think oh it'll wait ... it's far better to see GP early on an duty GP Emerg that day appointment than to be ambulanced in a few days later into A&E

I'm Saying that as I remember when my asthma was first diagnosed aged 20 I couldn't breathe +!had been to gp 2 weeks before who gave me a blue inhaler and told me I had a flu virus and it'd pass and I "might have asthma", and I went unconscious through low oxygen as actually it didn't improve I became more and more breathless and I stupidly didn't want to make a fuss and just stopped even trying to walk or talk ! Gave everyone around me a scare as my flat mates found me (bc they wanted to check on me before leaving for a night out at a ball I was supposed to go to) ... I don't remember any of it! And apparently missed all the blue lights and wonderful paramedics !

Also an asthmatic wheeze can sound like a very very quiet sporadic Darth Vader sound
Like white noise - it doesn't sound clear silent like normal breathing does