Airway Problems

ENT evaluation and treatment for airway problems in infants, children, and adults.

Assessment of noisy breathing, obstruction, shortness of breath, and swallowing-related airway concerns.
Medical and surgical treatment based on the cause and severity.
Coordinated care for complex breathing conditions.
Same-day or next-day appointments often available.

Featured In:

Important Medical Notice

The information provided below and throughout this website is presented for general educational purposes only and does NOT constitute professional medical advice. This information is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice and NO material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Table of Contents

Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

What are Air Way Problems?

Airway problems refer to any disease or condition that makes it difficult for a person to breathe. It can be caused by a range of factors, including lung tissue diseases, lung circulation diseases, or airway diseases. Airway problems may also refer to the Upper Airway which includes anatomic structures that lead to the trachea and lungs.

Lung tissue diseases affect the structure of the lungs and how they function, while lung circulation diseases affect the blood vessels that supply the lungs. Airway diseases, on the other hand, affect the airways themselves, such as the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. Common airway diseases include asthma, COPD, bronchiolitis, and bronchiectasis. They all cause a narrowing or blockage of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and coughing.

Overall, airway problems can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, and early detection and treatment are crucial. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms of respiratory distress or respiratory infections.

Types of Airway Problems

Airway problems encompass a range of conditions that can affect the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. These include everything from mild breathing difficulties to more severe respiratory distress. Understanding the different types of airway problems is critical to ensuring early detection and effective treatment. In this article, we’ll explore the most common types of airway problems and their causes.

Obstructive Airway Diseases

Obstructive Airway Diseases blocks airway, causes coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness. Examples: emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma. Emphysema: lung tissue damage. Chronic bronchitis: inflamed air passages. Asthma: narrowed airways with coughing and wheezing.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

RDS common in premature babies, breathing difficulties, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation. Surfactant therapy improves lung function. Early treatment reduces lung damage.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD causes airflow obstruction, breathing difficulties, chronic cough, sputum production. It worsens over time. Medication, rehab, oxygen therapy helps. Risk factors: smoking, air pollution, genetics.

Asthma and Reactive Airways Disease (RAD)

Asthma and RAD similar symptoms, diagnosis processes. Asthma – chronic airway condition, RAD – reversible airway narrowing/obstruction. Vitamin D senses as RAD treatment.

Bronchiolitis and Croup

Bronchiolitis, viral respiratory infection, infants/young children, coughing, wheezing, breathing difficulties. Risk factors: cigarette smoke, prematurity. Treatments: symptom relief, hydration, breathing treatments.

Croup is a viral respiratory infection in children under 5. Inflammation leads to a barking cough, breathing difficulty. Risk factors: infection, allergies. Treatment includes humidified air, steroids, or adrenaline for severe cases.

Upper Airway Disease

Upper airway disease is a large category and includes disorders that block the flow of air in the nasal passage, pharynx, and larynx. These include nasal polyps and masses, choanal atresia, tonsil and/or adenoid hypertrophy, peritonsillar abscess, allergic reactions, angioedema, vocal cord masses and lesions, vocal cord paralysis, subglottic stenosis, epiglottitis, upper airway infection, upper airway foreign body, and others.

Find Specialized Care Near You

Schedule your consultation

Causes of Airway Problems

Airway problems may occur due to various factors such as infections, allergies, and medical conditions.

Respiratory infections like cold, flu can cause temporary airway blockage.
Allergies to pollen, dust, or animal dander cause airway inflammation and swelling.
Asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis cause persistent airway problems.
Foreign bodies can obstruct the airway.

Neonatal airway’s size affects airway flow. Different respiratory function worsens the effects of airway disorders. Abnormalities include subglottic/tracheal stenosis, vocal cord paralysis. Early recognition and prompt treatment by experienced healthcare providers needed.

Airway problems caused by infections and diseases like tuberculosis and Histoplasma capsulatum. They cause respiratory infections, and chest radiography or CT scans diagnose the issue, fibrosing mediastinitis leads to airway narrowing. Seek medical help for coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath.

Allergic reactions inflame airways, narrow them, causing wheezing and tightness. Allergy test identifies triggers. Treatment options: avoid triggers and take medications. Seek medical help for airway problems.

Symptoms of Airway Problems

Airway problems can cause a range of symptoms.

Shortness of breath is an emergency caused by airway obstruction or lung infection/conditions. Heart conditions/allergies can contribute. Seek emergency medical attention.

Noisy breathing in infants and children could be an emergency sign. Stridor is high-pitched and narrow airway sound. It’s caused by infections, allergies or throats trauma. It involves difficulty breathing, blue-tinged skin, and noisy breathing. Immediate pediatric emergency attention is required for diagnosis and treatment.

Respiratory distress signs: shortness of breath, rapid breathing, wheezing, chest tightness. Seek medical attention immediately; call paramedics in severe cases. Monitoring oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter evaluates its severity.

What Our Patients Are Saying

Trusted by Thousands of Patients Across NJ & PA

“Very gentle and kind, she really takes the time to look at your problem and decide what to do. She’s great with follow up appointments after the surgery. Very great doctor.”

— Emily, West Windsor, NJ

“Dr. Rosenstein is always kind, efficient and problem focused. He answered all of my questions in a caring and efficient way. I would trust him with any ENT issue. Highly recommended!”

— Real Patient

“He is a very likable doctor with a nice personality and nice to talk to and share what was on your mind. He is definitely a keeper!!”

— Real Patient

Diagnosing Airway Problems

Airway problems vary in severity, prompt diagnosis is often critical. Worsening symptoms or death possible with misdiagnosis. Tests and exams diagnose airway problems.

Physical Exam: Pediatric airway disorders are usually diagnosed by starting with a physical exam. Doctors evaluate breathing patterns and listen for obstruction sounds. A laryngoscope can be used for a more in-depth assessment of the airway.

Special Tests: Tests like pulmonary function tests, chest, sleep studies, or bronchoscopy diagnose complex airway disorders, assess lung function, breathing issues during sleep. A comprehensive diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and better outcomes in children with airway disorders.

Clinical Evaluation/History Taking

When assessing patients with airway problems, a thorough clinical evaluation and history taking is essential. Patient history should include any previous diagnostic tests, medication use, and allergies. Symptoms such as hoarseness, cough, and throat pain should be evaluated alongside other related symptoms, including breathing difficulties, chest tightness, and noisy breathing. Laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy can help to detect and diagnose airway problems. They reveal vocal cords, trachea, bronchi condition, and structural abnormalities. History taking and clinical evaluation inform treatment of various airway disorders.

Imaging Tests (CT Scan, X-Ray, Ultrasound)

Imaging tests like CT, X-ray, ultrasound, and cine MRI diagnose airway problems. CT scans have high-res images but radiation exposure. X-rays have lower resolution but are widely available. Ultrasounds are non-invasive but less effective for some conditions. Cine MRI diagnoses pediatric airway disorders in real-time.

Endoscopy and Biopsy

Endoscopy and biopsy are essential procedures in diagnosing airway problems. Endoscopy enables direct visualization of the airway. Biopsy is a tissue sampling technique that aids in obtaining a precise airway diagnosis. The combination of these two techniques is commonly used in adults who undergo airway reconstruction surgery. Endoscopy and biopsy are also important in diagnosing various pediatric airway disorders. Accurate diagnosis through these procedures allows for appropriate treatment and management.

Treatment of Airway Problems

Airway problems cause distress, difficult breathing, and require tailored treatment to restore proper breathing. Treatment depends on underlying condition and severity. Surgery, positive airway pressure and medication may be used. Pediatric airway issues often benefit from specialized care teams.

Pediatric Airway Problems

Pediatric airway disorders can cause complex breathing, swallowing, or voice issues in children. Airway problems can stem from upper and lower respiratory tract infections, sleep apnea, allergies, reflux, and teething. These issues make breathing difficult and cause symptoms such as wheezing, rapid breathing, and shortness of breath. Treating these conditions is crucial, as it ensures the health and well-being of children.

Pick one of our
convenient locations in NJ & PA

Frequently Asked

Questions About Airway Problems

What are the signs of airway issues in children?

Signs of airway issues in children can include wheezing, rapid breathing, and shortness of breath. Other signs may include chest tightness, hoarseness, cough, throat pain, and noisy breathing.

How do you treat airway problems?

Treatment for airway problems depends on the underlying condition and severity. Treatment options may include surgery, positive airway pressure, medications, or lifestyle modifications. Pediatric airway issues often benefit from specialized multidisciplinary care teams.

How is airway disease diagnosed?

Airway disease is diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation, history taking, imaging tests such as CT scans, X-rays, and ultrasounds, endoscopy, and biopsy.

Can airway disease be cured?

Airway disease can be managed, but it may not be curable depending on the underlying condition. Treatments like surgery, positive airway pressure, medications, or lifestyle modifications can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

What airway problems treatment office is near me?

If you live in the states of New Jersey or Pennsylvania, Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy Center can participate in the team that will evaluate and treat airway problems. For a full list of services, please visit our Locations page.

Last Modified September 25, 2025 by Samuel S. Becker, MD,