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Lungs
Lungs
Breath sounds
Breath sounds

Breath sounds
Definition:
The sounds produced by the structures of the lungs during breathing.

Alternative Names:
lung sounds; breathing sounds

Considerations:

The lung sounds are usually examined by auscultation (listening) with a stethoscope.

Normal lung sounds occur in all parts of the chest area, including above the collarbones and as low as the bottom of the rib cage. When listening to the lungs, the categories of findings include normal breath sounds, decreased or absent breath sounds, and abnormal breath sounds.

Absent or decreased sounds are inaudible (absent) or reduced in loudness (decreased) when the lungs are examined with a stethoscope. They reflect reduced airflow to a portion (segment) of the lungs, over inflation of a portion of the lungs (such as with emphysema), air or fluid around the lungs, or sometimes increased thickness of the chest wall.

There are several types of abnormal breath sounds: rales, rhonchi, and wheezes are the most common. Wheezing can sometimes be heard without a stethoscope, and other abnormal sounds are sometimes also loud enough to be detected with the unaided ear.

Rales (crackles or crepitations) are small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds in a portion of the lung. They are believed to occur when air opens closed alveoli (air spaces) . Rales may be further described as moist, dry, fine, coarse, among other descriptors.

Rhonchi are sounds that resemble snoring. They are produced when air movement through the large airways is obstructed or turbulent.

Wheezes are high-pitched, musical sounds produced by narrowed airways, often occurring during expiration.
Common Causes:
Note: See also wheezing.
Home Care:

Health care measures that can be employed at home depend on the disease causing any abnormal breath sounds. Consult with your health care provider.
Call your health care provider if:
  • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath occur; these indicate a potentially emergency condition!
  • use of accessory muscles or other signs of increased breathing work (such as retractions, nasal flaring, and cyanosis) are also present. This is an emergency symptom!
  • wheezing or other abnormal sounds are noticed for the first time or if they persist
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting an abnormal lung sound in detail may include:
  • time pattern
    • When did it start?
    • How long did it last?
    • Is there a pattern to the occurrences?
  • quality
    • How would you describe it?
  • relieving factors
    • What makes it better?
  • aggravating factors
    • What makes it worse?
  • other
Note: Abnormal breath sounds are usually discovered by the health care provider, and the affected person may or may not have been aware of its presence.

The physical examination will include careful assessment of the lungs and breathing.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

Interventions:
Treatment will depend on the disease that is causing the abnormal breath sounds.


After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to abnormal breath sounds to your personal medical record.

Review Date: 2/17/2002
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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