Understanding Abnormal Lung Sounds: Causes and Types

Learn about abnormal lung sounds like wheezing and crackles, their causes, and what they indicate about lung health.

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Abnormal lung sounds include wheezing, crackles (or rales), stridor, and rhonchi. Wheezing is a high-pitched sound often heard in asthma. Crackles are clicking or rattling noises indicative of fluid in the lungs, common in pneumonia. Stridor is a harsh, grating sound from a narrowed upper airway. Rhonchi are low-pitched sounds suggesting blockage of the large airways by mucus.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What do abnormal lung sounds indicate? Abnormal lung sounds can indicate various medical conditions, including asthma, pneumonia, and airway blockages.
  2. What causes wheezing? Wheezing is often caused by narrowing of the airways, most commonly seen in conditions like asthma and COPD.
  3. Are crackles and rales the same? Yes, crackles and rales refer to the same types of abnormal lung sounds, typically associated with fluid in the lungs.
  4. What are stridor sounds? Stridor is a harsh, grating sound indicating a narrowing of the upper airway, often needing immediate medical attention.