Difference Between Stridor and Wheezing

Key Difference – Stridor vs Wheezing

Thekey differencebetween Stridor and Wheezing is thatStridor is the harsh sound generated during inspiration,in a patient with a更大的气道阻塞whileWheezingis thepolyphonic musical sounds generated during expiration,in a patient withbronchospasms。Therefore, these two sounds basically indicate an obstruction in the respiratory passage at different levels. In the respiratory passage, the airway starts from thelarynxand descends into the thorax and thetrachea。At Carina, the trachea divides into right and left main bronchi.Bronchiare further subdivided into smaller airways in a cascade-like manner.

What is Stridor?

Stridor or theharsh monophonic soundoccurring in larger airway obstructions is a red flag sign of impending complete airway obstruction. Stridor typically occurs during inspiration. Larger airways include trachea and bronchi. Obstructions to these tubes can occur due tomultiple causessuch as foreign body inhalation, severe mucosal水肿, external compression of the airways, toxic gasses, allergic reactions, etc. Sometimes, stridor can be very loud and may be audible without the stethoscope. However, it can be better listened to, by using the stethoscope. If a patient has got stridor, it indicates that urgent intervention is needed to protect the airway from impending complete obstruction. Therefore, urgent hospitalization, imaging, and intervention are required. If it caused by a foreign body urgent removal of the foreign body by bronchoscopy is indicated. Sometimes if the cause is not reversible immediately, temporary insertion of an endotracheal tube is required. These patients can get completely respiratory obstruction and death in few minutes. Therefore, they should be managed by experienced people in the health care team very carefully.

What is Wheezing?

Wheezing is a common clinical sign which occurs in multiple smaller airway obstructions such as in bronchospasms. This is acardinal sign inAsthma。生成的喘息声音是通过of air through multiple narrowed airways during expiration. It causes trapping of air proximal to the narrowing and therefore chest tightness. Wheezing is a common occurring in the childhood especially among the children with atopic or allergic tendencies. Bronchospasms are caused by smooth muscle contraction as well as from mucosal edema and accumulation of secretions in the airways. Wheezing can be treated with bronchodilator medications such as salbutamol (beta agonists). Steroids are used as the preventive medication for recurrent bronchospasms. Specially bronchodilators can be delivered by nebulization and via inhalers. When the bronchospasms are severe more intense and urgent treatment is indicated.

What is the difference between Stridor and Wheezing?

Definition of Stridor and Wheezing

Stridor:Stridoris atermusedtodescribenoisybreathingingeneral,andtoreferspecificallyto ahigh-pitchedcrowingsoundassociatedwithcroup,respiratoryinfection,andairwayobstruction.

Wheezing:Wheezingis ahigh-pitched吹口哨soundassociatedwithlaboredbreathing.

Characteristics of Stridor and Wheezing

Pathology

Stridor:Stridor occurs due to obstruction of larger airways.

Wheezing:Wheezing occurs due to obstruction of the smaller airways.

Sound

Stridor:Stridor is a harsh monophonic sound.

Wheezing:Wheezing is a musical polyphonic sound.

Timing in relation to the respiratory cycle

Stridor:Stridor occurs during inspiration.

Wheezing:Wheezing occurs during expiration.

Common causes

Stridor:Stridor is commonly caused by foreign body inhalation.

Wheezing:Wheezing is the commonest symptom of Asthma.

Severity

Stridor:Stridor indicates a serious upper airway obstruction requiring urgent attention.

Wheezing:Wheezing can be different in severity based on the severity of the underlying bronchospasms.

Treatment

Stridor:Stridor needs urgent protection of the upper airway.

Wheezing:Wheezing is treated with bronchodilators such as beta agonists.

Image Courtesy:

“Diagram showing a bronchoscopy CRUK 053” by Cancer Research UK – Original email from CRUK.( CC BY-SA 4.0)viaCommons

“哮喘before-after-en” by FDA/Renée Gordon; vectors by Mysid. – Vectorized in Inkscape by Mysid from (Public Domain) viaCommons