Both are lung sounds that can be due to different respiratory conditions
Rhonchiandralesarelung soundsthat can be heard with astethoscope.
Rhonchi are described as gurgling or bubbling sounds, while rales are described as crackling sounds.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
What Are Rhonchi?
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
Rhonchi are sometimes called sonorous wheezes (meaning that they sound likewheezing breaths).
They are characterized by continuous, low-pitched breathing sounds that resemble snoring or gurgling.
Rhonchi are heard during exhalation (when you breathe out) and are temporarily relieved by coughing.
Examples include:
What Are Rales?
Rales are also brought on by accumulated lung secretions but involve the alveoli rather than the larger airways.
These air sacs are not supported by cartilage but are instead surrounded by lung tissues (calledparenchyma).
Certain diseases can cause the air sacs to collapse due to inflammation or scarring of these tissues.
Rales occur during inhalation when the air sacs suddenly snap open, causing a distinct crackling sound.
Unlike rhonchi, rales are not relieved by coughing.
Rales are associated withrestrictive lung diseasesthat mainly affect the parenchyma of the lungs.
When these tissues are damaged, you cannot inhale as deeply as you should.
These include:
Rales can change as the underlying condition gets worse.
In severe cases, rales and rhonchi can be heard together.
The treatment is ultimately based on the underlying lung disease, broadly described as being either obstructive or restrictive.
The resolution of the underlying cause will almost invariably ease the abnormal breathing sounds.
Rhonchi and Obstructive Lung Disease
Rhonchi are a feature of obstructive lung disease.
Rhonchi happens when you exhale, causing a low-pitched snoring or gurgling noise.
Coughing can temporarily relieve the abnormal lung sound.
Rales occur when you inhale, causing a low-pitched or high-pitched crackling noise.
Coughing doesn’t relieve the abnormal lung sound.
National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute.Interstitial lung diseases: treatment.
