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)
- Initiation of exercise - Since blood becomes oxygenated in our lungs, ventilation increases as a person exercises. One of the main causes of increased respiratory rate are the afferent signals from the proprioceptors from the muscles, joints, and limbs.
- Moderate exercise – There is an evident increase of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide rates when doing moderate exercises. This causes the heart to pump more blood yo carry out oxygen throughout the body.
- Asthma attack - Due to the muscle spasms, muscles around the airways are tightened than normal, making the said airways narrower making it harder to breathe. This could be also caused by weak immune systems among people.
- Abrupt ascent into high altitudes – Since modern humans are built to endure the normal pressure in livable cities, we find it hard to breathe in higher altitudes due to the thinner air and higher air pressure. The change in oxygen levels in these altitudes highly increase the odds of hyperventilation.
- Pneumonia – Usually caused due to inflammation and edema causing the alveoli to be filled with unwanted fluids, pus, or mucus and this interferes with normal ventilation making it challenging for people to breathe properly.
- Paralysis of phrenic nerve – The damage caused in the nerve causes the paralysis of the diaphragm, wherein it affects the person’s breathing.
- Severe tuberculosis with resulting lung scar tissue – The inflammation of the lungs and pleura causes breathing problems and fibrosis. This means that the thickened tissue in the lungs contributes in the difficulty in oxygen transfer.
- Severe anemia – The deficiency of hemoglobin in the body could cause an increase in respiratory rate to restore the oxygen that was lost.
- Advances COPD – Due to the obstruction of airflow, the lack of oxygen for people with COPD therefore experience episodes of increased respiratory rate.
- Advanced pregnancy – Due to the pressure exerted on the diaphragm and limited lung expansion, a pregnant woman usually breathes faster.