Breathing sounds - abnormal (stridor)

Follow prescribed therapy in treating the underlying cause. See also first-aid measures for choking.

Call your health care provider if there is any indication of unexplained stridor, especially in a child.

In emergency situations, vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure) will be monitored, and theHeimlich maneuver may be necessary. Then the medical history will be obtained, and a physical examination performed. Intubation (insertion of a "breathing tube") may be necessary if there is inability to breathe properly (respiratory failure).

Medical history questions documenting abnormal breathing sounds in detail may include:

• Is the abnormal breathing sound a high-pitched sound?
• Did it begin suddenly?
• Is it possible that the child may have put something in the mouth and gotten it into the windpipe?
• Has the child been ill recently?
• Is the child's neck or face swollen?
• Has the child been coughing or complaining of a sore throat?
• What other symptoms are also present?
• Is there nasal flaring?
• Is the child using chest muscles to breathe (intercostal retractions)?
• Does the child have blue lips, blue nailbeds, or bluish color of the skin?

The physical examination will include monitoring the vital signs and listening to the lungs.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Arterial blood gas analysis
• Bronchoscopy (using a scope to look directly at the airway)
• CT scan, thoracic
• Laryngoscopy
• X-ray of the chest or neck

After seeing your health care provider:

You may want to add a diagnosis related to stridor to your personal medical record.

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