RESPIRATION DISORDERS

 Respiratory Disorders

Cancer

Many problems in the respiratory system can take place if inside lining is exposed continuously to unhealthy air, containing smoke and other pollutants. Lung cancer is one of the most serious diseases of respiratory system. Cancer or carcinoma is basically malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis. Cancer can occlude respiratory passages as the tumor replaces lung tissue. Smoking especially in young adults is the most potential threat of lung cancer. The chances of lung cancer are ten times more in those persons who smoke or live in smoky and congested areas as compared to those who do not smoke. It is now estimated that 90% of lung cancer is caused by smoking Recent research indicates that more than ten compounds of tar of tobacco smoke are involved in causing cancer.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a disorder of respiratory system. In fact, it is the general name of a group of diseases caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Pulmonary tuberculosis is a disease of lungs in which inside of the lung is damaged resulting in cough and fever. It is more common in poor people. Malnutrition and poor living conditions facilitate Mycobacterium to grow. The disease is curable with proper medical attention. It is a contagious disease.

Asthma

Asthma is a serious respiratory disease associated with severe paroxysm of difficult breathing, usually followed by a period of complete relief, with recurrence of attack at more or less frequent intervals. It is an allergic reaction to pollen, spores, cold, humidity, pollution etc which manifests itself by spasmodic contraction of small bronchiole tubes. Asthma results in the release of inflammatory chemicals such as histamines into the circulatory system that cause severe contraction of the bronchiole.

Emphysema

Emphysema is a break down of alveoli. This respiratory problem is more common among smokers. The substances present in the smoke of the tobacco weaken the wall of alveoli. The irritant substances of smoke generally cause "smoker's cough" and coughing bursts some of the weakened alveoli. In the result of constant coughing the absorbing surface of the lung is greatly reduced. The person suffering from emphysema cannot oxygenate his blood properly and least exertion makes him breathless and exhausted.

Lung capacities

In an adult human being when the lungs are fully inflated the total inside capacity of lungs is about 5 litres. Normally when we are at rest or asleep the exchange is only about half a litre. The volume of air taken inside the lungs and expelled during exercise is about 3.5 litres. In other words, there is a residual volume of 1.5 litres even during exercise which cannot be expelled.

Normally, at rest we inhale and exhale 15-20 times per minute. During exercise the breathing rate may rise to 30 times per minute. The increased rate and depth of breathing during exercise allows more oxygen to dissolve in blood and supplied be to the active muscles. The extra carbon dioxide which the muscle puts into the blood is removed by deep and fast breathing.