Crackles in the lungs, most often described as a “popping” sound, originate in the airway. The crackling noise comes from a blocked airway that opens suddenly, which causes the sound to reverberate through the airway. Crackles are typically heard during inspiration--breathing in--and are warning signs for problems with the airway. Several conditions can cause airway blockage.
Pneumonia
Inflammation of the lungs caused by an infection is pneumonia. Lung infections that lead to pneumonia are caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites, states the Mayo Clinic. Individuals with an impaired immune system are at greater risk for developing pneumonia. Symptoms of pneumonia depend on the underlying condition that caused the lung infection. Most symptoms of pneumonia mirror the flu. Common signs of pneumonia include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sweating, chills, crackling sound while breathing, headache, chest pain during inspiration, muscle pain and fatigue. Treatments for this lung inflammation include antibiotics and rest.
Pulmonary Edema
An excessive amount of fluid buildup in the air sacs, also called alveoli, of the lungs is pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema can result from heart failure. When the heart fails, fluid builds in the alveoli and disrupts the oxygen flow through the lungs. This condition may result from a severe infection, a side effect to a medication or trauma. Kidney failure and exercising at high altitudes may also cause pulmonary edema, according to MedlinePlus. Symptoms of pulmonary edema may include anxiety, difficulty breathing, cough, excessive sweating, feeling of drowning, gurgling sounds while breathing, pale skin, restlessness, shortness of breath, crackling noises with breathing, wheezing, coughing up blood, decreased alertness, inability to articulate, and nasal flaring. Treatments for this condition are administration of oxygen, diuretics and stabilizing the underlying condition.
Atelectasis
When part of or an entire lung collapses and becomes airless, a diagnosis of atelectasis occurs. Atelectasis may result from a blocked airway or pressure on the outside of the lung, says the Mayo Clinic. When obstructive atelectasis occurs, there is a blockage in the bronchial tubes. The blockage can be a mucus plug, a foreign body in the air passage, a disease that narrows the airway, tumors or a blood clot. Pressure from outside the lung that results in atelectasis can include injury, pleural effusion, pneumonia, pneumothorax, tumors and scarring of the lung tissue. Treatments involved with this condition, notes Merck, are deep-breathing exercises, relieving airway blockage, supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, endotracheal placement, antibiotics and surgery.
Bronchitis
Inflammation of the lining in the bronchial tubes is bronchitis. The two forms of bronchitis are acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis develops after a common cold or respiratory infection and improves within a few days, while chronic bronchitis is a constant irritation or inflammation of the bronchial tube lining and may require more serious medical attention. Chronic bronchitis is a condition included in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Symptoms can include a productive cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, slight fever, chills and chest discomfort. Treatment usually focuses on easing breathing and discomfort.
