Outline the possible causes of asthma and its effects on the gas exchange system Physician Hippocrates first mentioned the word Asthma over 3000 years ago. Translated from the Greek it stands for ‘difficult breathing’. In the medicine asthma is a disease of the respiratory tracts, which occurs nowadays more frequently in developed countries than it did in past years. This arises perhaps because our immune system is no longer used to get much contact to/with the nature (so to pollen, dust or pet fur for example) and results in hypersensitivity (to some triggers.) While asthma mostly consists of unexpected and abrupt attacks, it is still regarded as/to be a chronic conditions, which can rapidly lead to a decrease in lung function.
INTRODUCTION Respiratory failure is a sudden and life-threatening deterioration of the gas exchange function of the lung. It exists when the exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide in the lungs cannot keep up with the rate of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production by the cells of the body. DEFINITION Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is defined as a fall in arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) to less than 50 mm Hg (hypoxemia) and a rise in arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) to greater than 50 mm Hg (hypercapnia), with an arterial pH of less than 7.35. Respiratory failure is inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, with the result that levels of arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide or both cannot be maintained within their normal ranges. The normal reference values are: oxygen PaO2 greater than 80 mmHg (11 kPa), and carbon dioxide PaCO2 less than 45 mmHg (6.0 kPa).
During this process, mucus production is increased. Plugs may be formed and further decrease the efficiency of gas exchange taking place. Symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to life threatening. Pneumonia can be caused by inhaling food, dust, liquid, gas, and by various fungi. Common symptoms include chest pain, shaking chills, fever, dry cough, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, rapid breathing and rapid heart rate.
When blood pressure is high, it starts to damage the blood vessels, heart, and kidneys. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other problems. High blood pressure is called a “silent killer,” because it doesn’t usually cause symptoms while it is causing this damage. Your blood pressure consists of two numbers: systolic and diastolic. Someone with a systolic pressure of 120 and a diastolic pressure of 80 has a blood pressure of 120/80, or “120 over 80.” * The systolic number shows how hard the blood pressure pushes when the heart is pumping.
During positive feedback, both of the temperatures tend to increase. An example of negative feedback could be, when the temperature outside drops, your body realizes the drop and your muscles start to shiver causing the body temperature to slowly increase. An example of positive feedback could be you having a fever and the fever continues to rise. What would happen if our thermoregulation (temperature control) used a positive feedback to maintain homeostasis? * When the temperature changes the brain fails to recognize that temperature is raising or dropping.
Smoking: * Causes the platelets in your blood to clump together easily by making your blood cells more "sticky" and more likely to form clots. Clumping platelets can then block your coronary arteries and cause a heart attack. * Can cause spasms in your coronary arteries, which can reduce the blood flow to your heart in a way similar to that of atherosclerosis. * Can trigger irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). * Lowers "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).
Sometimes other signs and symptoms precede sudden cardiac arrest. These may include fatigue, fainting, blackouts, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, palpitations or vomiting. But sudden cardiac arrest often occurs with no warning. Unlike other muscles in the body, which rely on nerve connections to receive the electrical stimulation they need to function, the heart has its own electrical stimulator — a specialized group of cells called the sinus node located in the upper right chamber (right atrium) of the heart. The sinus node generates electrical impulses that
Cold and/or dry air can cause airways in the lungs to narrow. High levels of pollution in the air such as smoke are also a trigger. And lastly, high levels of pollen and allergens in the air contribute to triggering exercise-induced asthma. Allergens include pet hair, dust, chemicals, and mold (5). The second category of causation is dietary factors.
Coughing is often worse in the morning due to mucus buildup throughout the night. It is a proven fact that smokers are more prone to get sick than nonsmokers. The reason for this is when the additional mucus builds up in the airway passages, it creates an ideal environment for pathogenic growth. All of this triggers a gradual, lethal chain reaction. Smokers’ cough turns into chronic bronchitis, caused by the deteriorated cilia.
Alcohol has a biphasic effect on the human body which means that its effects change over time. First, alcohol typically produces feelings of relaxation and cheerfulness then once you drink more and more it can lead to dehydration, coordination problems, blurred vision and even death. One of the worse things I think it causes to your body is dehydration, you need water to stay alive and basically alcohol just sucks it all up. Dehydration can lead to electrolyte an imbalance which is why you get headaches and feel dizzy afterwards. This is also why you get a headache in the morning because your brain swells up from lack of water.