What is rale?

As an AI language model, I can provide information about medical terms such as rale.

A rale, also known as crackle, is a term used to describe a noise that can be heard during breathing. The sound is caused by air passing through narrowed or congested airways in the lungs. Rales are commonly heard in people with respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma.

Rales can be classified based on their characteristics, such as wheezing, crackling, or bubbling, and their location in the chest. A physician may use a stethoscope to listen for rales during a physical examination to help diagnose respiratory conditions. Treatment for rales typically involves addressing the underlying condition causing the airway narrowing or congestion.