What is the primary cause of wheezes in patients?

Wheezing is primarily caused by the narrowing of airways, which leads to turbulent airflow and the characteristic high-pitched sounds heard during breathing. This narrowing can occur due to various conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or allergic reactions, where inflammation and bronchoconstriction restrict airflow in the bronchi.

While the presence of a foreign body can certainly cause wheezing, it is a more specific scenario that can also result in acute symptoms like choking or respiratory distress. Pneumonia infections typically lead to other respiratory sounds, like crackles, rather than wheezes. Overinflation of the lungs is linked to conditions such as emphysema, which may result in different respiratory symptoms but is not the direct cause of wheezing itself. Therefore, the best understanding of wheezing relates to the overall concept of airway narrowing and its implications on respiratory function.