Respiratory System: Facts, Function and Diseases
The human respiratory system is a series of organs responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. In terrestrial animals, this is accomplished by breathing. The human body needs oxygen to sustain itself. A
complete lack of oxygen is known as anoxia and a decrease in oxygen is known as hypoxia. After four to six minutes brain cells without oxygen brain cells are destroyed and an extended period of hypoxia leads to brain damage and ultimately
death.
Diseases of the respiratory system
Diseases and conditions of the respiratory system can be caused by the inhalation of foreign bodies such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, allergens and other irritants. Not all people will develop respiratory ailments as a result of
environmental factors, as genetics also play a role in the development of
respiratory diseases.
Asthma causes breathing difficulties due to inflammation of bronchi and bronchioles, this causes a restriction in the
airflow into the alveoli. Air pollution, tobacco smoke, factory fumes, cleaning
solvents, infections, pollens, foods, cold air, exercise, chemicals and medications are some common asthma triggers.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the intersection of three related conditions — chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and emphysema. It is a progressive disease that makes in increasingly difficult for sufferers to
breath.
Lung cancer is often associated with smoking, but the disease can affect non-smokers as well. Like all cancers, lung cancer is caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
The human respiratory system is a series of organs responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. In terrestrial animals, this is accomplished by breathing. The human body needs oxygen to sustain itself. A
complete lack of oxygen is known as anoxia and a decrease in oxygen is known as hypoxia. After four to six minutes brain cells without oxygen brain cells are destroyed and an extended period of hypoxia leads to brain damage and ultimately
death.
Diseases of the respiratory system
Diseases and conditions of the respiratory system can be caused by the inhalation of foreign bodies such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, allergens and other irritants. Not all people will develop respiratory ailments as a result of
environmental factors, as genetics also play a role in the development of
respiratory diseases.
Asthma causes breathing difficulties due to inflammation of bronchi and bronchioles, this causes a restriction in the
airflow into the alveoli. Air pollution, tobacco smoke, factory fumes, cleaning
solvents, infections, pollens, foods, cold air, exercise, chemicals and medications are some common asthma triggers.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the intersection of three related conditions — chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and emphysema. It is a progressive disease that makes in increasingly difficult for sufferers to
breath.
Lung cancer is often associated with smoking, but the disease can affect non-smokers as well. Like all cancers, lung cancer is caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.