POST-LECTURE 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
The beginning or start of any workout may necessitate the mobilization and movement of muscles that need more oxygen to contract; this increases the depth and rate of breathing and encourages the intake of more oxygen while removing carbon dioxide from the lungs. - Moderate Exercise
While the lungs eliminate carbon dioxide and deliver oxygen for energy, the heart pumps oxygen to the muscles employed in physical exercise. As a result, metabolic demands increase along with arterial blood-gas tensions, alveolar ventilation, and acid-base balance being maintained relatively close to resting levels at moderate intensities of exercise, with the effort required of the respiratory muscles being kept to a minimum due to the meticulous control of breathing mechanics.
- Abrupt ascent to high altitudes
Instability in breathing, including periods of deep and fast breathing, and central apnea occur as total air pressure and partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) decline with altitude. The peripheral chemoreceptors' hypoxic activation is the main cause of this hyperventilation.
- Paralysis of Phrenic Nerve
The phrenic nerve, which supplies the initial or primary motor supply to the diaphragm, is paralyzed, which may cause the diaphragm to become dysfunctional or paralyzed and make it difficult for the respiratory system to work.
- Severe Anemia
The blood cannot carry enough oxygen when there are not enough red blood cells in the body, which is what happens if an individual has anemia. People with severe anemia have hyperventilation and a fast heart rate as a result of the body's continuing efforts to bring oxygen levels back to normal.
- Advanced Pregnancy
The physiological modification in hormonal patterns, whereby respiratory resistance increases and respiratory conductance decreases, is the primary cause of ventilatory changes in respiratory function during pregnancy. As the fetus seeks to compress the mother's diaphragm, the mother's lung volume decreases, necessitating higher airflow to maintain appropriate oxygen levels.
References:
Braunstein, E. M. (2023, October 13). Anemia of chronic disease. MSD Manual Consumer Version. https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/blood-disorders/anemia/anemia-of-chronic-disease
Crna, R. N. M. (2023, May 31). Causes of shortness of breath during pregnancy. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322316#causes
LoMauro, A., & Aliverti, A. (2015). Respiratory physiology of pregnancy. Breathe, 11(4), 297–301. https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.008615
Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. H. (2018). Principles of anatomy and physiology. John Wiley & Sons.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2016, March). Your lungs and exercise. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818249/#:~:text=When%20you%20exercise%20and%20your,litres%20of%20air)%20during%20exercise.
West, J. B. (1982). Respiratory and circulatory control at high altitudes. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 100(1), 147–157. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.100.1.147
Your lungs and exercise. (2016). Breathe, 12(1), 97–100. https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.elf121