Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Breath sounds

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Lung sounds; Breathing sounds


Call your health care provider if

Nasal flaring and cyanosis are emergency symptoms. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath can be an emergency condition. Seek immediate medical care if you have any of these symptoms.

Contact your health care provider if you have wheezing or other abnormal breathing sounds.

See also: Breathing difficulty


What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history and your breathing.

Questions may include:

  • When did the breathing sound start?
  • How long did it last?
  • How would you describe your breathing?
  • What makes it better or worse?
  • What other symptoms do you have?

The health care provider usually discovers abnormal breath sounds. You may not even notice them.

The following tests may be done:

  • Analysis of a sputum sample (sputum culture, sputum gram stain)
  • Blood tests (including an arterial blood gas)
  • Chest x-ray
  • CT scan of the chest
  • Pulmonary function tests

Review Date: 02/23/2010
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine (11/2/2009).

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)