Other tests can be used to assess the state of your lungs and to try to determine what the underlying cause of your bronchiectasis may be. Irregular breath sounds are usually indicators of health issues in the lungs or airways. If the scan shows that a section of airways is actually getting wider, this usually confirms bronchiectasis.

In a healthy pair of lungs, the bronchi should become narrower the further they spread into your lungs, in the same way a tree branch separates into narrower branches and twigs. Crackles are the clicking, rattling, or crackling noises that may be made by one or both lungs of a human with a respiratory disease during inhalation. This produces a very detailed picture of the inside of your body, and the airways inside your lungs (the bronchi) should show up very clearly. Further testing HRCT scanĬurrently, the most effective test available to diagnose bronchiectasis is called a high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan.Ī HRCT scan involves taking several X-rays of your chest at slightly different angles. A computer is then used to put all the images together. Doctors know they’re the sounds of a problem in the lungs, but it turns out they might be more than symptomscrackling and wheezing could also be the sounds of a disease progressing, according to a University of Michigan researcher. If the GP suspects you could have bronchiectasis, you'll be referred to a doctor who specialises in treating lung conditions (a respiratory consultant) for further testing. If the GP thinks you may have a lung infection, they may take a sample of your phlegm so it can be checked for bacteria. You'll also probably have a chest X-ray to rule out other, more serious, causes of your symptoms, such as lung cancer. The lungs of people with bronchiectasis often make a distinctive crackling noise as a person breathes in and out. Why do I hear crackling when I exhale Crackles occur if the small air sacs in the lungs fill with fluid and there’s any air movement in the sacs, such as when you’re. Bibasilar crackles can result from a severe lung problem. They may also listen to your lungs with a stethoscope as you breathe in and out. The crackles are an abnormal sound, and they usually indicate that an underlying condition requires treatment. The GP will ask you about your symptoms, such as how often you cough, whether you bring up any phlegm (sputum), and whether you smoke. You should see a GP for advice if you develop a persistent cough so they can look for a possible cause.

Crackling sound in lungs when exhale