Stridor

Stridor is an abnormal, high-pitched sound upon breathing which is caused by disruptions to regular airflow in the upper airway. Stridor generaly affects children more often than it does adults, and can be categorized into the following:

Inspiratory stridor: noise upon inhalation
Expiratory stridor: noise upon exhalation
Diphasic stridor: noise upon both inhalation and exhalation

It is advised to seek emergency medical attention should stridor be associated with bluing of the patient's lips, body or face, weight loss, or difficulty eating.

Symptoms

Abnormal, high-pitched wheezing sounds upon breathing

Causes

Causes of stridor can be numerous, and may include the following or a combination thereof:

  • Foreign body in airway

  • Upper airway swelling/narrowing (stenosis)

  • Intubation

  • Smoke exposure

  • Vocal cord paralysis

  • Bronchitis

  • Tonsillitis

  • Epiglottitis

  • Tumors

  • Birth defects of the larynx

Treatment
Options

Treatments for stridor will depend on the severity of the condition, as well as other factors including the age and overall health of the patient. Treatments may include any combination of observation, reflux or steroid medications, or surgery.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you are suffering from stridor, the first step towards feeling better is to schedule an evaluation with an experienced ear, nose and throat doctor. Board certified and fellowship trained in rhinology, our physician at Sensa Health has extensive experience diagnosing and treating a wide variety of throat conditions. Call or text our office at 213-267-2256 to schedule an appointment today.