How to Differentiate Between Lung Sounds?
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Normal Vesicular Lung Sounds
Normal vesicular lung sounds are characterized by their low pitched muffled sound. A key feature of normal vesicular lungs sounds is that inspiration is very prominent when listening through a stethoscope. Expiration occurs much quicker and the sound fades away quickly when listening.
Bronchiectasis Lung Sounds
Bronchiectasis is a lung condition caused by abnormally wide bronchi. The sounds of bronchiectasis are characterized by a distinct crackling noise, and a touch of wheezing. Oftentimes, the sounds associated with bronchiectasis are called "wet noises", since a wet cough is a side effect of bronchiectasis.
Rhonchi Lung Sounds
Rhonchi are low pictched lung sounds often classified as wheezes. The sounds of rhonchi can be compared to the sound of someone snoring. Rhonchi is caused by build up in the airways of the lungs, and can be cleared just by coughing. Rhonchi sounds are also common in pneumonia and COPD patients.
Stridor Lung Sounds
Stridor is a lung condition caused by the blockage or shrinkage of the lung's upper airways. The sounds of stridor are very distinctive, with a high pitched shrieking noise. It normally can be heard without a stethoscope. The shrieking noise normally occurs during the inspiration phase of breathing.