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 – The body uses more oxygen and produces more carbon dioxide as soon as we exercise. While exercising, one’s breathing rate increases so that more air (oxygen) can be taken in and pumped out by the lungs to cope with the change.
2. Moderate exercise – As the difficulty of exercise intensifies, oxygen demands also go up. The typical resting rate of 15 breaths per minute will increase up to 3-4 times to keep up with the intensified activity.
3. Asthma attack – During an asthma attack, the airway lining secretes more mucus and the airway walls of the lungs become swollen and inflamed during an asthma attack. These actions lead to the narrowing of the airways, making it difficult for one to breathe during an asthma attack.
4. Abrupt ascent into high altitudes – Higher altitudes affect the body’s breathing pattern as there is lesser oxygen in the air. Abruptly ascending into higher altitudes makes people breathe faster and deeper as the lungs work harder to make up for the lesser oxygen in the air.
5. Pneumonia – The alveoli of a person with pneumonia are inflamed and either filled with pus or fluid, making breathing painful and hard for them, and further limiting oxygen intake.
6. Paralysis of the phrenic nerve – The paralysis of the phrenic nerve will lead to paralysis and weakness of the diaphragm. A weakened diaphragm will result in reduced breathing capabilities, loss of voluntary breathing control, and crippled lung processes.
7. Severe tuberculosis with resulting lung scar tissue – Severe tuberculosis inflames the airways and lung scarring makes the lung tissues thicker and stiff, making it difficult for an individual to breathe and intake oxygen.
8. Severe anemia – People with severe anemia have lesser numbers of healthy red blood cells, impairing the adequate transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. The lack of oxygen-rich blood due to anemia makes a person feel tired or weak, making shortness of breath, dizziness, and headaches frequent occurrences.
9. Advanced COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) – This chronic inflammatory lung disease obstructs the airflow in the lungs as the airways of the lungs thicken and inflamed. Damaged lungs bring up breathing difficulties and prevent proper oxygen intake and gas waste excretion.
10. Advanced pregnancy – The fetus exerts pressure on the mother’s diaphragm as pregnancy advances. Along with the pressure from the developing fetus, an increase in progesterone levels makes pregnant women experience shortness of breath.