ARANAS, Ma. Francesca F.
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
Initiation of the exercise causes our muscles to work harder and our body uses more oxygen to keep up with the demand so to cope with this, our respiratory rate increases.
2. Moderate exercise
During moderate exercise with increased intensity, the muscles require more oxygen, causing a corresponding rise in respiratory rate, similar to the previous situation of heightened oxygen demand leading to an increased breathing pace.
3. Abrupt ascent into high altitudes
Drop in air pressure and oxygen level happens at higher altitudes wherein outside air pressure is lower than it is inside lungs which causes respiratory difficulties and raises respiratory rate.
4. Paralysis of phrenic nerve
The diaphragm receives motor innervation from the phrenic nerves, which collaborate with secondary respiratory muscles in the breathing process; consequently, when the diaphragm is paralyzed, it hinders lung gas exchange and causes breathlessness.
5. Severe anemia
People who experience severe anemia have inadequate red blood cells to transport oxygen therefore with anemia, the lungs overcompensate in order to bring in more oxygen, causing breathing difficulties.
6. Advanced pregnancy
Since change in the diaphragm happens in pregnancy, pregnant people often breathe faster due to increases in the hormones progesterone and estrogen and because of the expanding uterus.
References:
Your lungs and exercise. (2016). National Library of Medicine, 12(1), 97–100. https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.elf121
Felman, A. (2023, April 24). Altitude sickness: Causes, symptoms, and treatment. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/179819
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Phrenic nerve. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22270-phrenic-nerve
Smith-Garcia, D. (2023, April 5). Why Am I Short of Breath with Anemia? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/anemia/anemia-and-shortness-of-breath
Heiser, T. (2023, October 3). When to worry about breathing issues during pregnancy — what to watch for and what it might mean. Norton Healthcare. https://nortonhealthcare.com/news/when-to-worry-about-breathing-issues-during-pregnancy-what-to-watch-for-and-what-it-might-mean/