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
Whenever initiating exercise, we utilize our muscles through its expansion and contraction, fueled by oxygen. For exercise to last, our body increases its respiratory rate by its intake of oxygen and outtake of carbon dioxide in the lungs.
2. Moderate exercise
Whenever we exercise, our body needs more oxygen to keep up with the strenuous activities. This means that the amount of times we would breath would increase from around 15 breaths per minute to approximately 50 breaths per minute.
3. Abrupt ascent into high altitudes
Whenever we ride airplanes and reach a certain altitude at takeoff, we tend to increase ventilation. This is our body's response to the lower oxygen level available in higher altitudes sensed by our peripheral chemoreceptors, hence the need to increase the respiratory rate.
4. Paralysis of phrenic nerve
The phrenic nerve, found on the cervical vertebra, is in charge of the expansion and contraction of the diaphragm which enables our respiratory system to properly function. Damage to the said nerve may cause respiratory or breathing problems.
5. Severe anemia
Hemoglobin deficiency is a sign that one suffers from anemia. This triggers a response from the body to increase oxygen in the blood to distribute to the different organs since the blood is incapable of supplying enough oxygen under the said condition, hence increasing respiratory rate.
10. Advanced pregnancy
During advanced pregnancy, the mother's respiratory rate increases to cope with the needs of herself and the developing fetus. This can be attributed to the fetus compressing the upper and lower respiratory tracts, reducing lung capacity, and creating the need for more oxygen to balance the respiratory rate.
Source/s:
Libretexts. (2023, January 17). 21.11b: Adjustments at high altitude. Medicine LibreTexts. https://med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Anatomy_and_Physiology/Anatomy_and_Physiology_(Boundless)/21%3A_Respiratory_System/21.11%3A_Respiratory_Adjustments/21.11B%3A_Adjustments_at_High_Altitude
professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.). Phrenic nerve: Anatomy & Function. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22270-phrenic-nerve
Rojas, Y. (2020, July 23). 10 symptoms of anemia you shouldn’t ignore. Texas Medical Institute. https://www.texasmedicalinstitute.com/10-symptoms-of-anemia-you-shouldnt-ignore/#:~:text=With%20anemia%2C%20the%20lungs%20overcompensate,%2C%20neurological%20issues%2C%20and%20vertigo.
Default - Stanford Medicine Children’s health. Stanford Medicine Children’s Health - Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. (n.d.). https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=the-lungs-in-pregnancy-90-P02468#:~:text=Hormones%20and%20physical%20changes%20due,size%20from%20front%20to%20back.