What is typically required for the production of wheezes?

Wheezes are typically produced when there is a constriction of the airways, which leads to a decrease in the size of the lumen, or the opening of the airway. This narrowing creates turbulent airflow, especially during expiration, which can result in the high-pitched, musical sounds characteristic of wheezing. Conditions that may lead to this narrowing include asthma, bronchoconstriction, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Increased mucus production can contribute to respiratory difficulties, but it does not directly cause wheezing; rather, it can lead to other sounds, like crackles or sonorous wheezes, depending on the nature of the mucus blockage. Infection in the lungs may lead to inflammation and mucus production, potentially causing wheezing but is not a necessary condition for wheeze generation itself. Absence of airflow would actually prevent the production of wheezes, as flow is crucial for creating the sound associated with this condition. Thus, the primary factor associated with wheezing is indeed a decrease in lumen size, resulting in the turbulent airflow that produces the characteristic sound.