Every cell of the human organism needs oxygen. This reaches the body from the outside with the help of respiration, where it is directly processed. The respiratory mechanism occurs unconsciously; people do not have to control it. As soon as areas of the body show an undersupply of oxygen, serious consequences threaten. That’s why it’s important for breathing to work properly.
What is respiration?
Most of the breathing takes place in the lungs. Previously, air was taken in through the nose or mouth. It is preferable to breathe through the nose. The small hairs warm the air and filter it from very coarse dirt, this function is omitted when breathing through the mouth. Finally, gas exchange takes place in the lungs themselves. The air bubbles, which are also called alveoli, are particularly important for this. While fresh oxygen enters the bloodstream, carbon dioxide is released into the air, which is how humans eventually exhale it. Mammals cannot survive without functioning respiration. Thus, a lack of oxygen damages different areas. Damage to the brain is particularly serious. This cannot be reversed. Therefore, it may be necessary, for example after accidents, to use artificial respiration as soon as possible.
Process
Several areas are anatomically important for respiration. First and foremost, the lungs are crucial. This has millions of tiny air sacs, the alveoli. This is where gas exchange takes place. Before this can happen, however, the air must first enter the body. This takes place via the upper respiratory tract, the nose and oral cavity. Sinuses, pharynx and larynx also belong to the category of upper respiratory tract. In addition, the body has protective devices that filter the air. For example, the nasal hairs clean up dirt, while the pharynx and tonsils serve as a defense against infection. The air enters the lungs via the trachea. In the process, different muscles ensure that the air passes into and out of the body in a controlled manner. These include the diaphragm, for example, but also parts of the abdominal muscles. A general distinction is made between inhalation and exhalation muscles. Finally, the bronchial muscles ensure that the air is optimally distributed. This is a smooth muscle. It works without the need for control from the brain. The muscle contractions therefore take place independently.
Function and tasks
The process of respiration is essential to life. Cells need oxygen for their metabolic processes. At the same time, carbon dioxide is produced, which must be brought out of the body. The oxygen freshly brought into the body eventually enters the blood, which brings the substance to the cells as a means of transport. In exchange, the cells release their carbon dioxide, which is in turn carried by the blood to the lungs. The main task of respiration is therefore gas exchange. This is responsible for healthy oxygen conditions in the body. In the event of a deficiency, on the other hand, the body’s functions can no longer work. Instead, it is possible for cells to die and for organs to cease functioning completely. Without oxygen uptake, humans would not be able to live. Respiration is regulated by various mechanisms. For example, there are processes that cause respiration to take place unconsciously. These ensure gas exchange even at night. In addition, the respiratory musculature ensures that the inflow and outflow of air can take place at all. The diaphragm is also part of the respiratory musculature. This has the most important task in the entire anatomical breathing process. The diaphragm is a muscle that sits between the chest and the viscera of the abdomen and is also attached to the spine. Tightening the diaphragm increases the volume in the chest and simultaneously in the lungs. This mechanism causes the pressure within the lungs to be lower than that in the environment. The negative pressure creates a driving force for the air that enters the lungs during inspiration. The diaphragm is also at least partially responsible for exhalation. As soon as the diaphragm relaxes, the pressure in the lungs increases and the air is forced outward. The exhalation muscles are particularly decisive here. These include, for example, the abdominal muscles.
Complaints and diseases
There are numerous possible complaints and diseases that can affect breathing.For example, it is possible to swallow while eating and “inhale” the food residue. This is the case when the protective epiglottis is not closed during swallowing. Instead, the food debris enters the trachea, which can lead to respiratory distress. Hasty eating may be to blame here, but neurological disorders cannot be ruled out either. If the residues are not removed professionally and immediately, there is a risk of serious consequences. Breathing can also be restricted by pneumonia. This is very often caused by bacteria, which are responsible for filling the alveoli with inflammatory infiltrates. As a result of such a process, the affected alveoli can no longer participate in gas exchange. In most cases, pneumonia affects only individual sections. In addition to physical conditions, the psyche can also play a role in the development of symptoms. This is the case, for example, with hyperventilation. Triggered by a panic attack, those affected begin to breathe in more forcefully. More oxygen enters the body than it needs or can process. The rapid breathing causes more carbon dioxide to be released, which in turn increases the pH value in the body. This results in poorer blood flow to the hands, for example, but also in the brain.
