Wheezing: Symptoms

What other symptoms might occur with wheezing?

Wheezing may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Symptoms that frequently affect the respiratory tract may also involve other body systems.

Symptoms that may occur along with wheezing

Wheezing may accompany other symptoms that affect the respiratory system including:

• Absence of breathing (apnea)
• Chest pain or pressure
• Cough that gets more severe over time
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Coughing up clear, yellow, light brown, or green mucus
• Difficulty breathing
• Loose, wet cough that produces thick white or yellow phlegm
• Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
• Shortness of breath

Cardiovascular symptoms that may occur along with wheezing

Wheezing may accompany symptoms that are related to the cardiovascular system including:

• Absence of heart beat (asystole)
• Chest pain or pressure
• Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

Other symptoms that may occur along with wheezing

Wheezing may accompany other symptoms that affect the respiratory system including:

• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Flu-like symptoms (fatigue, fever, sore throat, headache, cough, aches and pains)
• Leg pain and swelling
• Loss of appetite
• Malaise or lethargy
• Night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, wheezing can be a symptom of a life-threatening condition. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

• Bluish coloration of the lips or fingernails
• Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness
• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
• Respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, wheezing, not breathing, or choking
• Sudden swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue