When you breathe in and out, the exchange of air in your lungs produces turbulence called breath sounds. If you listen to your chest with a stethoscope, normal lung sounds should be louder when you breathe in and softer when you breathe out. Changes in lung sounds can indicate many things. When they’re high-pitched, this can be cause for concern. This is because high-pitched wheezes often mean the airways are smaller in size than normal and air isn’t moving through as well as it once did. High-pitched breath sounds can indicate a medical emergency.
Treatment of High Pitched Whistling Sound
Treatment for high-pitched breath sounds depends upon their underlying cause. If your airway is in danger of closing up, your doctor may insert a breathing tube down your throat. This tube is connected to an artificial breathing machine known as a ventilator. In some instances, inhaled medications can help to open up the airways, making it easier to breathe. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection if an infection is causing the high-pitched breathing sounds. At-home methods you can utilize to treat high-pitched breath sounds that aren’t an emergency include:
-- Avoid cold, dry air and cigarette smoking. Both of these can make it harder for you to breathe.
-- Drink plenty of warmed fluids, such as hot water or tea.
-- Keep the air moist. Moist air can help to open up the lungs and make breathing easier. Taking a shower or sitting in the restroom while the shower is running with the door closed can help to moisten the air. You can also use a humidifier, which releases warm, moist air. However, clean your humidifier regularly as the device is prone to building up with fungus.