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Initiation of exercise: As we begin to exercise, our pulmonary ventilation (breathing) increases and our sympathetic nervous system stimulates. As a consequence, our respiratory frequency increases rapidly, bringing more oxygen into our lungs, pumping more oxygen into our blood and out to our muscles.
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Moderate exercise: Because the level of activity and breathing rate are directly proportional, our body requires more energy as our muscles work harder, leading to a higher respiratory rate. As a result, our bodies require more oxygen consumption to achieve a higher intensity of exercise.
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Asthma attack: When we have an asthma attack, the muscles in our airways tighten or spasm, and the lining of our airways becomes swollen or inflamed (it gets clogged with lots of thick mucus). As a result, our airways become narrower, making it more difficult for air to move in and out of the air sacs.Abrupt Ascent into High Altitudes: At high altitudes, atmospheric pressure decreases, causing a decrease in oxygen pressure. As a result, an individual's breathing rate increases to ensure an adequate supply of oxygen.
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Abrupt Ascent into High Altitudes: At high altitudes, atmospheric pressure decreases, causing a decrease in oxygen pressure. As a result, an individual's breathing rate increases to ensure an adequate supply of oxygen.
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Pneumonia: Pneumonia is a type of acute respiratory infection that primarily affects the lungs, causing swelling (inflammation) and filling our air sacs with mucus, fluid, or pus. This makes it more difficult for a person to breathe, resulting in a rise in his or her respiratory rate.
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Paralysis of phrenic nerve: A damage in our phrenic nerve may lead to a paralyzed diaphragm which then severely affects our lung’s ability to inhale and exhale air. As a direct consequence, a person may experience shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping, and persistent hiccups.
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Severe tuberculosis with resulting lung scar tissue: Tuberculosis is an infection in our lungs that causes airway inflammation, it is commonly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis which destroy macrophages (which may cause destruction of immune cells) and therefore, lead to fibrosis and necrosis. With the scarring of the lung tissue, it makes it harder for the person to breathe since the passageway gets stiffer and less elastic.
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Severe anemia: Anemia occurs when your body does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Shortness of breath, and an irregular heartbeat are some possible symptoms of anemia which then affect our respiratory system.
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Advanced COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease): COPD is a chronic disease that makes our lungs inflamed, thick, and the tissue where oxygen is exchanged is destroyed. Hence, the flow of air in and out of our lungs decreases.
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Advanced pregnancy: When a woman is pregnant, her respiratory tract may undergo numerous physical changes as a result of the enlarging of the uterus. Some of the most common may include diaphragmatic upward movement, decreased lung capacity, and increased oxygen use, which may cause shortness of breath.
References:
Asthma attacks. Department of Pediatrics. (2019, April 29). Retrieved October 29, 2022, from https://med.virginia.edu/pediatrics/clinical-and-patient-services/patient-tutorials/asthma/asthma-attacks/
High-altitude illness: How to avoid it and how to treat it. American Family Physician. (1998, April 15). Retrieved October 29, 2022, from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/1998/0415/p1924.html#:~:text=The%20low%20amount%20of%20oxygen,has%20less%20oxygen%20in%20it.
Learn about COPD. American Lung Association. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2022, from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/learn-about-copd
Mukarjee, S. (2017, June 22). Difference between pneumonia and tuberculosis. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. Retrieved October 29, 2022, from http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/difference-between-pneumonia-and-tuberculosis/
Phrenic nerve: Anatomy & Function. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22270-phrenic-nerve
Respiratory responses to exercise — PT direct. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2022, from https://www.ptdirect.com/training-design/anatomy-and-physiology/acute-respiratory-responses
Stanford Medicine Children's health. Stanford Medicine Children's Health - Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2022, from https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=the-lungs-in-pregnancy-90-P02468
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). What is anemia? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Retrieved October 29, 2022, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia
Why does your breathing rate increase when you exercise? CliffsNotes. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2022, from https://www.cliffsnotes.com/cliffsnotes/subjects/sciences/why-does-your-breathing-rate-increase-when-you-exercise#:~:text=As%20your%20level%20of%20activity,and%20out%20to%20your%20muscles.
World Health Organization. (2021, November 11). Pneumonia. World Health Organization. Retrieved October 29, 2022, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/pneumonia#:~:text=Pneumonia%20is%20a%20form%20of,painful%20and%20limits%20oxygen%20intake.