1. Initiation of exercise
— At the onset of exercising, neural changes (i.e. anticipation of the activity, sensory impulses from proprioceptors, motor impulses from precentral gyrus) which produce excitatory impulses to the medullary respiratory center’s dorsal respiratory group result in an immediate increase in respiratory rate.
2. Moderate exercise
— In relation to the initiation, a person performing moderate exercises needs more ATP for cellular respiration. This results in more gradual increased breathing mainly because of the chemical and physical changes in the bloodstream.
3. Asthma attack
— Asthma results when bronchial tubes are obstructed or inflamed. An asthma attack occurs due to the constriction and narrowing of bronchial tubes thus causing difficulty in breathing and elevated respiratory rate.
4. Abrupt ascent into high altitudes
— To survive at high altitudes, the atmospheric pressure decreases making oxygen diffuse into the blood more slowly; hence, the body undergoes hyperventilation to be able to supply sufficient oxygen. This situation may lead to altitude sickness in which the body experiences difficulty in adjusting to the change brought about by the decreased amount of oxygen in the blood.
5. Pneumonia
— Pneumonia is typically caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) resulting in inflammation or filling up of fluid in the alveoli. This, therefore, leads to infection and difficulty in getting oxygen to enter the bloodstream.
6. Advanced pregnancy
— The diaphragm’s proper contraction as well as relaxation play an important role in breathing. However, women in advanced pregnancy tend to prevent complete and proper diaphragmatic descent.
Nos. 7-10 are not included in the instructions of this discussion board but are included in the study guide. If only needed, here are my answers:
7. Paralysis of phrenic nerve
— Damage to the phrenic nerve known as essential for the contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm during breathing may lead to shortness of breath. This may also lead to a paralyzed diaphragm either on one or both sides.
8. Severe tuberculosis with resulting lung scar tissue
— The lifelong scarring of the lung mainly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis results in the loss of parenchymal tissue leading to restrictive spirometry or restrictive lung disease. Due to the limited amount of oxygen and increased surface tension, the person experiences increased breathing to compensate for it.
9. Severe anemia
— Anemia is caused by not being able to receive sufficient oxygen-rich blood due to a low amount of hemoglobin. The body’s continuous effort to bring back normal oxygen levels explains why people with this condition experience hyperventilation or increased respiratory rate.
10. Advanced COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
— This disease occurs due to the narrow, inflamed bronchi, making the air sacs incapable of stretching and shrinking back permanently. Thus, the lungs no longer have the capacity to supply enough oxygen to the body with advanced COPD.
Main Reference
Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. (2017). Principles of anatomy & physiology. Fifteenth edition; Wiley Loose-Leaf Print Companion. Hoboken, New Jersey, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Supplemental References
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Altitude Sickness. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15111-altitude-sickness
Honeill. (n.d.). Facts About Paralyzed Diaphragm. The Insitute for Advanced Reconstruction. https://www.advancedreconstruction.com/blog/facts-about-paralyze-diaphragm
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Overview. 2007 Mar 23 [Updated 2019 Mar 14]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK315789/
Lepage, R. (n.d.). Anemia: The disease that makes you feel like you’re running a never-ending marathon. Biron Education. https://www.biron.com/en/education-center/specialist-advice/anemia-breathing/