Lungs are the most vital organ in our body. The exchange of pure oxygen and the impure carbon dioxide takes place in lungs. The exchange of gases takes place in the alveoli; it is the terminal part of the bronchioli of the lungs. There are two lungs in human body, right lung and left lung. Both the lungs perform same function.
Crackles In The Lungs
You may have seen many times doctors examining with a stethoscope. It is through this instrument they hear different sounds when you breathe in and breathe out. In medical terms it is known as auscultation.
In certain lung disease crackling noise is heard through the stethoscope called as crackles. Formerly it was known as crepitation or rales.
Crackling In Lungs When Breathing
Crackles are classified as fine, medium, or coarse.
- Fine crackles occur during the end of inspiration, they are caused by the opening of the alveolar spaces as in fibrosing alveolitis, sarcoidosis, and asbestosis and in the early stage of pneumonia.
- Medium and coarse crackles in the lungs occur during early inspiration as in chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis. The coarse crackles also occur in late expiration.
- Bubbling crackles can be heard in resolving pneumonia, pulmonary edema etc.
Lung Crackles Causes
There is a difference between coarse crackles and plural rub (coarse grating sound). The later is associated with pain in the lungs; crackles are not associated with pain.
Some of the causes of crackles in the lungs include asthma, chronic and acute bronchitis, pneumonia, lung cancer, pulmonary edema, congestive heart failure and pulmonary fibrosis.
Treatment For Crackles In The Lungs
Crackles in itself is not a disease, it indicates that your lungs are diseased. Physician advises further investigations such as X-ray of chest and blood tests to determine the cause of underlying condition.