wheezy
Short of breath
Wheezy describes breathing that produces a high-pitched whistling or rattling sound, typically from narrowed airways: The child sounded wheezy after playing in the cold.
Extended to anything making similar labored sounds: a wheezy old accordion, the wheezy engine finally turned over.
The word suggests struggle or decrepitude.
Lacking air, gasping
- short of breathUnable to breathe easily
- gaspingBreathing in sharp gulps
- pantingRapid labored breathing
- laboredRequiring great exertion
struggling · winded · dyspnea · air hunger · suffocating · chest tightness · constriction · hyperventilation
Inflamed airway disease
- pneumoniaInfected, inflamed lung tissue
- emphysemaDamaged lung air sacs
- respiratory infectionDisease of breathing passages
- COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease
croup · chest cold · congestion · phlegm · mucus · tuberculosis · cough · antibiotics
Coarse shaping tool
- whistleShrill air-blown sounder
- stridorTurbulent airway noise
- breathinessAudible air in voice
- hoarsenessRough, scratchy voice quality
gasp · pant · rattle · crackle · hiss · snuffle · gurgle · labored breathing
Existing many years
doddering · rickety · ramshackle · run-down · broken-down · jalopy · clunker · sputtering
Portable respiratory medication device
- bronchodilatorMedication widening lung passages
- albuterolBronchodilator for asthma
- nebulizerMist-making breathing apparatus
- asthma attackAcute respiratory distress episode
flare-up · bronchial · spirometry · pulmonologist · corticosteroids · allergic · triggers · allergens
Lacking physical conditioning
- unfitNot suited for purpose
- overexertedStrained through excessive effort
- exhaustedUtterly depleted of energy
- fatiguedDrained of energy
winded · huffing · puffing · strained · overweight · sedentary · climbing stairs · physical effort
breathless
Lacking air, gasping
- short of breathUnable to breathe easily
- gaspingBreathing in sharp gulps
- pantingRapid labored breathing
labored · struggling · winded · dyspnea · air hunger · suffocating · chest tightness · constriction · hyperventilation · out of breath
bronchitis
Inflamed airway disease
- pneumoniaInfected, inflamed lung tissue
- emphysemaDamaged lung air sacs
- respiratory infectionDisease of breathing passages
COPD · croup · chest cold · congestion · phlegm · mucus · tuberculosis · cough · antibiotics · expectorant
rasp
Coarse shaping tool
- whistleShrill air-blown sounder
- stridorTurbulent airway noise
- breathinessAudible air in voice
hoarseness · gasp · pant · rattle · crackle · hiss · snuffle · gurgle · labored breathing · high-pitched
old
Existing many years
feeble · doddering · rickety · ramshackle · run-down · broken-down · jalopy · clunker · sputtering · rattling
inhaler
Portable respiratory medication device
- bronchodilatorMedication widening lung passages
- albuterolBronchodilator for asthma
- nebulizerMist-making breathing apparatus
asthma attack · flare-up · bronchial · spirometry · pulmonologist · corticosteroids · allergic · triggers · allergens · bronchospasm
out of shape
Lacking physical conditioning
- unfitNot suited for purpose
- overexertedStrained through excessive effort
- exhaustedUtterly depleted of energy
fatigued · winded · huffing · puffing · strained · overweight · sedentary · climbing stairs · physical effort · cardio
- breathingbreathing, inhalation, breath, exhalation, breathe