N3 (1st Sem AY 2022-2023): GONZALES, Aldrix J. - POST-LECTURE ACTIVITY: RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Initiation of exercise. An initiation of exercise from a resting state would naturally pump up the heart rate. With an increase in heart rate, your blood pumps through your muscles at a faster rate, leaving less time for oxygen uptake.
Moderate exercise. Whenever exercises are moderately executed, our bodies usually respond with an increase in temperature and breathing brought about by the fast exchange of gases. The more the body moves and works, the more oxygen is needed to be gained and carbon dioxide needs to be expelled, hence the increased respiratory rate observed.
Asthma attack. During asthma attacks, the airways become constricted as it is swollen or inflamed making air trapped and not able to be exchanged in and out. Increased inhalations are usually manifested as a result of the inhibited air exchange.
Abrupt ascent into high altitudes. Higher altitudes mean thinner air, which also means lesser supply of oxygen. Both the heart and the lungs pump faster in order to compensate for the lack of the supply of oxygen resulting in a higher respiratory rate.
Pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection caused either by virus, bacteria, or fungi that impairs the breathing with the alveoli or air sacs being inflamed or filled with pus. This causes difficulty in breathing or worse if not treated immediately.
Paralysis of phrenic nerve. The phrenic nerve is connected with the body’s diaphragm. Hence, any damage or paralysis for this matter caused by it would necessarily result in breathing problems and difficulties.
Severe tuberculosis with resulting lung scar tissue. Tuberculosis is a highly communicable respiratory disease which causes inflammation, obstruction, and if not given immediate medical attention, permanent scarring in the lung’s tissues and parts. Once scarred, the lungs would not be able to perform its activity the way it should be, hence decreasing one’s breathing efficiency.
Severe anemia. A decrease in red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood is what causes anemia and having such results to hyperventilation and increased heart beating to make up with lost oxygen supply from hemoglobin deficiency.
advanced COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is characterized by the inflammation or total damage to the tissues that facilitate oxygen exchange. When this tissue is affected, one may experience shortness of breath and increased breathing and pumping of the heart since the rate of disposing of carbon dioxide is not at par with acquiring oxygen.
Advanced pregnancy. When a woman becomes pregnant, the fetus grows and expands in her womb which then affects its neighboring organs like the diaphragm and lungs. This explains why pregnant women experience shortness of breath and become easily tired or worn out with simple activities that would make them require more oxygen in the process.