Definition

Breath sounds are the noises produced by the structures of the lungs during breathing.

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Alternative Names

Lung sounds; Breathing sounds

Considerations

The lung sounds can usually be heard with a stethoscope. This is called auscultation.

Normal lung sounds occur in all parts of the chest area, including above the collarbones and at the bottom of the rib cage. Using a stethoscope, the doctor may hear normal breath sounds, decreased or absent breath sounds, and abnormal breath sounds.

Absent or decreased sounds can mean:

  • Reduced airflow to part of the lungs
  • Over-inflation of a part of the lungs ( emphysema can cause this)
  • Air or fluid around the lungs
  • Increased thickness of the chest wall

There are several types of abnormal breath sounds. The three most common are:

  • Rales
  • Rhonchi
  • Wheezing

Rales are small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds in the lung. They are believed to occur when air opens closed air spaces. Rales may be further described as moist, dry, fine, and coarse.

Rhonchi are sounds that resemble snoring. They occur when air through the large airways is blocked or becomes rough.

Wheezes are high-pitched sounds produced by narrowed airways. They often occurring when a person breathes out (exhales). Wheezing and other abnormal sounds can sometimes be heard without a stethoscope.

Common Causes

Note: See also wheezing.

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.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

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

Questions may include:

  • Time pattern
    • When did the breathing sound 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
    • What other symptoms are also present?
    • Is there any coughing?
    • Is there any difficulty breathing?

Abnormal breath sounds are usually discovered by the health care provider. You may not even notice them.  

The following tests may be done:

  • Chest x-ray
  • Pulmonary function tests
  • Blood tests (including an arterial blood gas)
  • CT scan of the chest
  • Analysis of a sputum sample (sputum culture, sputum gram stain)
Lots More Information:
•Emphysema
Review Date:2/14/2006
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, CriticalCare & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Reviewprovided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.