A. ACTIVITY
Briefly explain the main cause or mechanism of increase in respiratory rate or depth and/or respiratory difficulties in the following cases: (one to two sentences only)
1. Initiation of exercise
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The body anticipates the initiation of exercise therefore slowly increases respiratory rate to accommodate continuous exercise after initiation.
2. Moderate exercise
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The muscles of the body need more oxygen to be able to function well. Thus, the heart would pump more oxygen to supply the needs of the muscles therefore the increase in respiratory rate. Increase in respiratory rate depends on the intensity of the exercise.
3. Asthma attack
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Normal breathing is when the muscles wrapped around the airways are thin and loose. When in an asthma attack, the individual’s muscles around the airwaways would swell or thicken therefore making it harder to breathe.
4. Abrupt ascent into high altitudes
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Hyperventilation ensues in sudden ascent to high altitudes due to the difference of oxygen levels in the area. The body would try to breathe faster so as to maximize the amount of oxygen to enter in the lungs and into the blood.
5. Pneumonia
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Pneumonia entails an infection that targets the inflammation of the lungs. The alveoli of the lungs are filled with pus and fluid making it hard and sometimes painful to breathe. The limited oxygen entering the lungs makes the body increase respiratory rate.
6. Paralysis of phrenic nerve
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The phrenic nerve plays a role in the inhalation and exhalation of the diaphragm; its paralysis would require the lungs to be mechanically ventilated as the diaphragm would also be paralyzed. Difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, and sleeping problems are common with people who’s phrenic nerve is paralyzed.
7. Severe tuberculosis with resulting lung scar tissue
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A lung scar tissue from severe tuberculosis is found to stay throughout the entire lifetime of an infected person, affecting the individual’s breathing. Such infection causes airway inflammation therefore making airways smaller, making the person hard to breathe.
8. Severe anemia
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People with severe anemia lack healthy red blood cells to carry enough oxygen throughout the body. A person who have such disease would have difficulty in breathing as
9. Advanced COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
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COPD is an irreversible inflammatory disease often associated with tachypnea for which individual’s breath more than the average 12-18 breaths a minute. Common causes of such disease is from cigarette smoking that obstructs and damages airways, air sacs, and the lungs.
10. Advanced pregnancy
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Increased respiratory rate during pregnancy is normal when the female body experiences shortness of breath from increased pressure from the growing fetus to the diaphragm, and increased production of progesterone.
References:
Asthma Attacks. (n.d.). University of Virginia.https://med.virginia.edu/pediatrics/clinical-and-patient-services/patient-tutorials/asthma/asthma-attacks/
Cleveland clinic (2022). Phrenic Nerve.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22270-phrenic-nerve
Cleveland clinic (n.d.). Tuberculosis.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11301-tuberculosis
Leader, D. (2020). An Overview of Tachypnea in COPD. Very Well Health.https://www.verywellhealth.com/tachypnea-function-and-treatment-914914
Samad, R. (2022). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).https://www.verywellhealth.com/copd-4014741
Thomas, E. (n.d.). Lungs may still have scars left behind by tuberculosis, shows study.https://researchmatters.in/news/lungs-may-still-have-scars-left-behind-tuberculosis-shows-study
World Health Organization (2021). Pneumonia.https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/pneumonia