lung and airway disorders
Wheezing
Treatment of Wheezing
The main goal of treatment is to treat the underlying disorder. Bronchodilators (which widen the airways), such as inhaledalbuterol, can relieve wheezing. Corticosteroids, taken by mouth for a week or two, can often help relieve an acute episode of wheezing if it is due to asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Long-term control of persistent wheezing due to asthma may require inhaled corticosteroids, mast cell stabilizers, leukotriene modifiers, or immunomodulators (medications that affect the immune system—see table). Epinephrineinjected under the skin (subcutaneously), antihistamines (such asdiphenhydramine) given intravenously, corticosteroids (such asmethylprednisolone), andalbuteroltaken through a nebulizer are given to people with a severe allergic reaction. 