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).
1. Initiation of Exercise
During the initiation of exercise, the muscles require more oxygen, increasing the respiratory rate. This occurs beacuse during this activity, the levels of carbon dioxide and acidity in the blood increase; the central nervous system detects this change and the need for more oxygen.
2. Moderate Exercise
Since in moderate exercise, the intensity rises, the muscles contract more, and the body demands more oxygen. Due to this extra demand, the body utilizes more oxygen and produces more carbon dioxide, which then increases the respiratory rate and depth to meet the demands and maintain the appropriate blood gas levels in the body.
3. Abrupt Ascent Into High Altitudes
In high altitudes, the oxygen levels are lower because there is less available oxygen, or lower oxygen availability, in the atmosphere, which may cause respiratory difficulties. In response to the effects of the abrupt ascent into high altitudes, the body compensates by increasing the respiratory rate and depth.
4. Paralysis of Phrenic Nerve
Paralysis of phrenic nerve may also result in respiratory difficulties because the phrenic nerve is the one responsible for diaphragm control. When this nerve is paralyzed, the ability of the diaphragm to contract is affected, as well as its capacity to exchange gases, resulting in difficulties in breathing.
5. Severe Anemia
In severe anemia, there is a lack of red blood cells, which are vital in oxygen circulation in the body because these cells transport oxygen to the tissues in the body. Hence, there is an increase in respiratory rate and depth in order to promote the transport of oxygen to different body tissues, which may eventually cause breathing difficulties because of the overcompensation of the lungs.
6. Advanced Pregnancy
During advanced pregnancy, the developing fetus takes up more space in the mother's body, pushing and compressing her diaphragm and lungs, decreasing lung volume, limiting lung expansion, and causing shortness of breath. Since there is a demand for more oxygen, there is an increase in respiratory rate and depth to compensate for the effects of advanced pregnancy.
REFERENCES:
Cogo, A. (2011). The lung at high altitude. Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine, 6(1), 14–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/2049-6958-6-1-14
Lepage, R. (n.d.). Anemia: The disease that makes you feel like you’re running a never-ending marathon. Biron. https://www.biron.com/en/education-center/specialist-advice/anemia-breathing/
Phrenic Nerve. Cleveland Clinic. (2022). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22270-phrenic-nerve
The Process of Breathing. Lumen Learning. (n.d.). https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-ap2/chapter/the-process-of-breathing-no-content/