Effects of Lifestyle & Environment on Gas Exchange Flashcards
The Respiratory System (13 cards)
What is emphysema?
A disease usually caused by long-term exposure to irritating particles in the air taken into the lungs.
No one can avoid inhaling particles, as there are always particles of matter in the air, some people are exposed to excessively high levels.
Who is most affected by emphysema?
- Smokers constantly inhale irritants in tobacco smoke.
- People who work in situations where a lot of dust is produced are also at risk.
- There is also a greater risk of emphysema in cities with continually high air pollution.
How does emphysema affect alveoli?
They lose their elasticity, are often replaced with fibrous tissue, and may break down, reducing the internal surface area of the lung.
What happens when the alveoli lose their elasticity?
Because of the loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, the lungs are constantly inflated, and breathing out no longer occurs passively but requires voluntary effort.
What problems does the emphysema sufferer have?
- Inadequate surface area for gas exchange
- Difficulty in ventilating the lungs.
Can emphysema be cured?
Emphysema cannot be cured, and once lung damage begins, the progression of the disease cannot be stopped.
What is asthma?
A medical condition that causes difficulty breathing due to a narrowing of the airways.
- Asthma can be an allergic response or non-allergic.
Why does asthma occur?
- The smooth muscles contracting narrowing the airway.
- Inflammation causing the lining of the airways to thicken narrowing its diameter.
- Mucus filling the airway narrowing the tube.
What are triggers for an asthma flare up?
Respiratory infections, cigarette smoke, and allergens such as dust, mites, moulds, pollens and animals.
What are other triggers of an asthma flare up?
Exercise, cold weather, smoke, some medications, stress and emotions.
What happens during an asthma attack?
The muscles that surround the bronchioles go into spasm, which is sudden involuntary contractions.
This causes a narrowing of the air passages and, therefore, difficulty in breathing.
How is air movement restricted during an asthma attack?
The irritation of the membranes lining the air passages also causes secretion of excessive mucus, which also restricts the movement of air
How does the reduced volume of air affect exchange of gases?
The reduced volume of air going into and out of the lungs means that the exchange of gases is impaired, and the blood does not carry the usual amount of oxygen.
