Directions:
The
respiratory system is an easy system to take care of but before you do anything
with it you may want to know a few things about it. Keep away from dangerous habits such as smoking because it
can damage the lungs which play a vital role in the breathing process.
Organ/function:
The two main body parts that play a role in the respiratory
system are the nose and the mouth.
The respiratory system works with the cardiovascular system to
accomplish four respiratory events:
1. The entrance and exit of air into and out of lungs,
2.
The exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between air
and blood,
3.
The exchange of gases between blood and tissue fluid,
4.
Transport of gases to and from the lungs and the tissues.
The respiratory system uses the respiratory tract to get air
into the body. The respiratory
tract consists of the nose, the pharynx, the larynx, the trachea, and the
bronchial tree. The oxygen then
passes through the lungs and is carried throughout the body by way of red blood
cells.
Warnings and Dangers:
One of the biggest killers to the respiratory system is
smoking. DO NOT SMOKE! It causes lung cancer and other
diseases like Emphezema.
Here is a picture of a Healthy lung, and a picture of lungs
with cancer from smoking.
If you have a condition called Asthma (where the airways are
unusually sensitive to irritants, and can cause wheezing, coughing, and
sometimes asthma attacks), make sure you have some form of inhaler with you at
all times.
Operation:
The respiratory system is responsible for the exchange of oxygen
and carbon dioxide throughout the entire body. The diaphragm (a dome-like structure located under the
lungs) contracts and the lungs open up so that air can come into them. When the diaphragm relaxes, it pushes
up on the lungs and forces air out.
The amount of air that the lungs can hold is called the
inspiratory reserve volume, and the amount that it can let out is called the
expiratory respiratory volume.
External respiration is the exchange of gases in the lungs to
the blood.
Internal respiration is the exchange of gases between the blood
and the tissues.
Eventually, all blood is pumped through the lungs to obtain more
oxygen, which is why the respiratory and circulatory systems rely heavily on
each other.
Safety Instructions/Maintenance:
If you experience any breathing problems, you may have an upper
respiratory tract infection. Some
of the more common ones include:
Sinusitis
Otitis Media
Tonsilitis
Laryngitis
Acute Bronchitis
Pneumonia
Tuberculosis
If any type of troubles occur, such as wheezing, coughing,
headaches, or other breathing troubles, you should contact your doctor.
A few bacterial infections can be treated with an antibiotic,
and in some cases, surgery may be needed (such as a tonsillectomy).
Automatic Systems Check/Troubleshooting:
The lungs and respiratory system are checked by a doctor every time
you go to the doctors office, but for the most part, the system takes care of
itself.
The diaphragm, along with the brain, controls breathing rate and
the heart maintains the steady flow of blood to the lungs.
As long as these are working correctly without any disease or
illness, there is nothing much to do.
Roadside Assistance:
National Environmental Respiratory Center
2425 Ridgecrest Dr. SE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108-5127
Lungcancer.org
1-800-813-HOPE (4673)
OR EMAIL INFO@CANCERCARE.ORG
RANA Medical
205 Stephen Street
Morden, MB
R6M 1V2
(204) 822-6595