Pathways Contact PEIA Home Return to Index Wheezing Wheezing is a high-pitched purring or whistling sound. It is heard more on breathing out than on breathing in. The wheezing sound is usually caused by air flowing through swollen and narrowed breathing tubes that are in spasm.
Muscle spasms in the airways make breathing even more difficult.
Wheezing is sometimes confused with other respiratory sounds. The sounds of croup, for example, resemble a harsh, raspy noise on breathing in and are sometimes accompanied by a high-pitched cough. A stuffed nose, though, emits a snorting sound. And a rattling sound is often due to mucus in the windpipe. Consider wheezing as a warning sign that your child is having trouble breathing.