BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuStridorBreathing sounds - abnormal; Extrathoracic airway obstruction; Wheezing - stridorStridor is an abnormal, high-pitched, musical breathing sound. It is caused by a blockage in the throat or voice box (larynx). It is most often heard when taking in a breath. Considerations Children are at higher risk of airway blockage because they have narrower airways than adults. In young children, stridor is a sign of airway blockage. It must be treated right away to prevent the airway from becoming completely closed. The airway can be blocked by an object, swollen tissues of the throat or upper airway, or a spasm of the airway muscles or the vocal cords. Causes Common causes of stridor include:Airway injury Allergic reaction Allergic reactionAllergic reactions are sensitivities to substances called allergens that come into contact with the skin, nose, eyes, respiratory tract, and gastroin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Problem breathing and a barking cough (croup) CroupCroup is an infection of the upper airways that causes breathing difficulty and a barking cough. Croup is due to swelling around the vocal cords. I...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diagnostic tests such as bronchoscopy or laryngoscopy BronchoscopyBronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article LaryngoscopyLaryngoscopy is an exam of the back of your throat, including your voice box (larynx). Your voice box contains your vocal cords and allows you to sp...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Epiglottitis, which is inflammation of the movable cartilage that covers the windpipe EpiglottitisEpiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis. This is the tissue-lined cartilage that covers the trachea (windpipe) while swallowing. Epiglottiti...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inhaling an object such as a peanut or marble (foreign body aspiration) Foreign body aspirationIf you swallow a foreign object, it can get stuck in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the esophagus (swallowing tube) to the colon (large intesti...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Swelling and irritation of the voice box (laryngitis) LaryngitisLaryngitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the voice box (larynx). The problem is most often associated with hoarseness or loss of voic...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Neck surgery Use of a breathing tube for a long time Secretions such as phlegm (sputum) Smoke inhalation or other inhalation injury Swelling of the neck or face Swollen tonsils or adenoids (such as with tonsillitis) TonsillitisTonsillitis is inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vocal cord cancerVocal cord cancerThroat cancer is cancer of the vocal cords, larynx (voice box), pharynx, or other areas of the throat.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care Follow your health care provider's advice to treat the cause of the problem. When to Contact a Medical Professional Stridor may be a sign of an emergency. Contact your provider right away if there is unexplained stridor, especially in a child. What to Expect at Your Office Visit In an emergency, your provider will check your temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure, and may need to do abdominal thrusts to clear the airway.Abdominal thrusts Choking is when someone is having a very hard time breathing because food, a toy, or other object is blocking the throat or windpipe (airway). A cho...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A breathing tube may be needed if you can't breathe properly.After you are stable, your provider may ask about your medical history, and perform a physical exam. This includes listening to your lungs.Parents or caregivers may be asked the following medical history questions:Is the abnormal breathing a high-pitched sound? Did the breathing problem start suddenly? Could the child have put something in their mouth? Has the child been ill recently? Is the child's neck or face swollen? Has the child been coughing or complaining of a sore throat? What other symptoms does the child have? (For example, nasal flaring or a bluish color to the skin, lips, or nails) Nasal flaringNasal flaring occurs when the nostrils widen while breathing. It is often a sign of trouble breathing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Is the child using chest muscles to breathe (intercostal retractions)?Intercostal retractionsIntercostal retractions occur when the muscles between the ribs pull inward. The movement is most often a sign that the person has a breathing probl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tests that may be done include:Arterial blood gas analysis Arterial blood gas analysisBlood gases are a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood. They also determine the acidity (pH) of your blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bronchoscopy BronchoscopyBronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest CT scan Chest CT scanA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Laryngoscopy (examination of the voice box) Pulse oximetry to measure blood oxygen level X-ray of the chest or neck X-ray of the chestA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesGriffiths AG. Chronic or recurrent respiratory symptoms. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 401.Rose E. Pediatric upper airway obstruction and infections. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 162.Zalzal HG, Zalzal GH. Stridor in the Infant Patient. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2022;69(2):301-317. PMID: 35337541 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35337541/.AllVideoImagesTogUpper respiratory tract - illustration The major passages and structures of the upper respiratory tract include the nose or nostrils, nasal cavity, mouth, throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx). The respiratory system is lined with a mucous membrane that secretes mucus. The mucus traps smaller particles like pollen or smoke. Hairlike structures called cilia line the mucous membrane and move the particles trapped in the mucus out of the nose. Inhaled air is moistened, warmed, and cleansed by the tissue that lines the nasal cavity.Upper respiratory tractillustrationUpper respiratory tract - illustration The major passages and structures of the upper respiratory tract include the nose or nostrils, nasal cavity, mouth, throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx). The respiratory system is lined with a mucous membrane that secretes mucus. The mucus traps smaller particles like pollen or smoke. Hairlike structures called cilia line the mucous membrane and move the particles trapped in the mucus out of the nose. Inhaled air is moistened, warmed, and cleansed by the tissue that lines the nasal cavity.Upper respiratory tractillustrationRelated Information Wheezing(Symptoms) Review Date: 4/1/2024 Reviewed By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
StridorBreathing sounds - abnormal; Extrathoracic airway obstruction; Wheezing - stridorStridor is an abnormal, high-pitched, musical breathing sound. It is caused by a blockage in the throat or voice box (larynx). It is most often heard when taking in a breath. Considerations Children are at higher risk of airway blockage because they have narrower airways than adults. In young children, stridor is a sign of airway blockage. It must be treated right away to prevent the airway from becoming completely closed. The airway can be blocked by an object, swollen tissues of the throat or upper airway, or a spasm of the airway muscles or the vocal cords. Causes Common causes of stridor include:Airway injury Allergic reaction Allergic reactionAllergic reactions are sensitivities to substances called allergens that come into contact with the skin, nose, eyes, respiratory tract, and gastroin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Problem breathing and a barking cough (croup) CroupCroup is an infection of the upper airways that causes breathing difficulty and a barking cough. Croup is due to swelling around the vocal cords. I...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diagnostic tests such as bronchoscopy or laryngoscopy BronchoscopyBronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article LaryngoscopyLaryngoscopy is an exam of the back of your throat, including your voice box (larynx). Your voice box contains your vocal cords and allows you to sp...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Epiglottitis, which is inflammation of the movable cartilage that covers the windpipe EpiglottitisEpiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis. This is the tissue-lined cartilage that covers the trachea (windpipe) while swallowing. Epiglottiti...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inhaling an object such as a peanut or marble (foreign body aspiration) Foreign body aspirationIf you swallow a foreign object, it can get stuck in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the esophagus (swallowing tube) to the colon (large intesti...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Swelling and irritation of the voice box (laryngitis) LaryngitisLaryngitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the voice box (larynx). The problem is most often associated with hoarseness or loss of voic...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Neck surgery Use of a breathing tube for a long time Secretions such as phlegm (sputum) Smoke inhalation or other inhalation injury Swelling of the neck or face Swollen tonsils or adenoids (such as with tonsillitis) TonsillitisTonsillitis is inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vocal cord cancerVocal cord cancerThroat cancer is cancer of the vocal cords, larynx (voice box), pharynx, or other areas of the throat.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care Follow your health care provider's advice to treat the cause of the problem. When to Contact a Medical Professional Stridor may be a sign of an emergency. Contact your provider right away if there is unexplained stridor, especially in a child. What to Expect at Your Office Visit In an emergency, your provider will check your temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure, and may need to do abdominal thrusts to clear the airway.Abdominal thrusts Choking is when someone is having a very hard time breathing because food, a toy, or other object is blocking the throat or windpipe (airway). A cho...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A breathing tube may be needed if you can't breathe properly.After you are stable, your provider may ask about your medical history, and perform a physical exam. This includes listening to your lungs.Parents or caregivers may be asked the following medical history questions:Is the abnormal breathing a high-pitched sound? Did the breathing problem start suddenly? Could the child have put something in their mouth? Has the child been ill recently? Is the child's neck or face swollen? Has the child been coughing or complaining of a sore throat? What other symptoms does the child have? (For example, nasal flaring or a bluish color to the skin, lips, or nails) Nasal flaringNasal flaring occurs when the nostrils widen while breathing. It is often a sign of trouble breathing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Is the child using chest muscles to breathe (intercostal retractions)?Intercostal retractionsIntercostal retractions occur when the muscles between the ribs pull inward. The movement is most often a sign that the person has a breathing probl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tests that may be done include:Arterial blood gas analysis Arterial blood gas analysisBlood gases are a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood. They also determine the acidity (pH) of your blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bronchoscopy BronchoscopyBronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest CT scan Chest CT scanA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Laryngoscopy (examination of the voice box) Pulse oximetry to measure blood oxygen level X-ray of the chest or neck X-ray of the chestA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesGriffiths AG. Chronic or recurrent respiratory symptoms. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 401.Rose E. Pediatric upper airway obstruction and infections. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 162.Zalzal HG, Zalzal GH. Stridor in the Infant Patient. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2022;69(2):301-317. PMID: 35337541 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35337541/.
