•   Bronchitis Treatment: Inhaling moist air from a humidifier or steamy shower can help loosen and thin mucus, making breathing easier.
•   Bronchitis Symptoms: Coughing, sore throat, chest congestion, and coughing up thick mucus.
•   Bronchitis Cause: Usually caused by viruses, not bacteria, so antibiotics are generally ineffective.
•   Bronchitis Definition: Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, causing narrowing and excessive mucus production.
•   Mucus Function and Problem: Mucus traps pathogens but excessive production hinders airflow, leading to coughing.
•   Bronchitis Treatment: Thinning mucus for effective coughing through fluids, humidifiers, steam, and expectorants, while avoiding cough suppressants.
•   Reason for Pulse Oximetry: To check Sacheen’s blood oxygen level and ensure clogged airways weren’t impacting her oxygen intake.
•   Difference Between Acute and Chronic Bronchitis: Acute bronchitis is a short-term condition often caused by a cold or flu, while chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition often caused by smoking and associated with COPD.
•   Smoking Cessation Advice: Dr. Tsosie strongly advised Sacheen to quit smoking to prevent future respiratory infections, COPD, and lung cancer.
•   Respiratory System Function: Critical for gas exchange and protecting the body from harmful substances in the air.
•   Respiratory System Vulnerability: Prone to infections and damage from allergens, mold, air pollution, and cigarette smoke.
•   Respiratory System Overview: Comprises the upper respiratory tract (nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx) for air conduction and the lower respiratory tract (trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs) for conduction and gas exchange.
•   Respiratory System Defense: The mucociliary escalator, consisting of mucus-producing cells and cilia, protects the lungs by trapping and expelling harmful particles and pathogens.
•   Breathing Regulation: The respiratory system, controlled by the brain, regulates breathing rate based on carbon dioxide levels in the blood to maintain homeostasis.
•   Breathing Mechanics: Breathing involves inhaling (active process driven by diaphragm contraction) and exhaling (passive process driven by lung elasticity).
•   Gas Exchange Definition: The biological process of transferring gases across cell membranes for entering or leaving the blood.
•   Gas Exchange Mechanism: Occurs by diffusion across cell membranes, moving down a concentration gradient from high to low concentration.
•   Lung Gas Exchange: Takes place in alveoli, where deoxygenated blood picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
•   Smoking and COPD: Smoking is the primary cause of COPD, reducing lung elasticity and impairing exhalation.
•   Smoking and Lung Cancer: Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, a malignant tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in the lungs.
•   Health Risks of Smoking: Smoking poses numerous health risks, including increased risk of various cancers, cardiovascular disease, and other adverse effects.
•   Respiratory System Function: The respiratory system facilitates gas exchange, bringing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide.
•   Gas Exchange Mechanism: Oxygen and carbon dioxide flow across membranes based on concentration gradients, moving from areas of higher to lower concentration.
•   COPD and Blood pH: COPD can lead to elevated carbon dioxide levels, causing respiratory acidosis and prompting the body to compensate by increasing breathing rate.
•   Bronchitis Treatment: Changes to the environment, such as more frequent cleaning, would not help asthma caused by a gene.
•   Bronchitis Definition: Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, the large and medium-sized airways in the lungs that carry air from the trachea.
•   Bronchodilator Definition: A medication that opens constricted airways.
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•   Contact Information: info@libretexts.org.

•   Patient Information: Sacheen, a 20-year-old smoker, presents with a worsening cough, thick mucus production, sore throat, and chest congestion after an initial mild cough.
•   Medical History: Sacheen recently experienced symptoms of a common cold, including runny nose, fatigue, and mild cough.
•   Doctor’s Actions: Dr. Tsosie examines Sacheen, inquires about her symptoms and medical history, and measures her blood oxygen level using a pulse oximeter.
•   Diagnosis: Sacheen has bronchitis, an infection commonly occurring after a cold or flu.
•   Treatment Recommendations: Dr. Tsosie recommends Sacheen to thin and remove mucus by drinking plenty of fluids, using a humidifier, getting plenty of rest, and avoiding smoking.
•   Chapter Overview: The chapter will cover the respiratory system, the process of respiration, and acute bronchitis.
•   Respiratory System Overview: Includes lungs, bronchial tubes, and the rest of the respiratory tract, responsible for breathing and gas exchange.
•   Breathing Regulation: Rate of breathing is regulated to maintain blood gas and pH homeostasis.
•   Respiratory Disorders: Asthma, pneumonia, COPD, and lung cancer are examples of respiratory system disorders.
•   Content Source: This page is from a CK-12 licensed resource authored by Suzanne Wakim & Mandeep Grewal.
•   Content Topic: Respiratory System and Gas Exchange.
•   Content License: CK-12 license.

•   Dust Mite Allergy: Dust mite feces contain proteins that can trigger asthma attacks.
•   Asthma Definition: A chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs where airways periodically become inflamed.
•   Asthma Symptoms: Airways narrow and may become clogged with mucus, making breathing difficult.
•   Asthma Definition: A chronic lung disease causing swelling and narrowing of airways, leading to difficulty breathing.
•   Asthma Triggers: Environmental factors like allergens, pollution, and stress, along with genetic predisposition.
•   Asthma Treatment: Inhaled bronchodilators for immediate relief and corticosteroids for long-term control, along with trigger avoidance.
•   Pneumonia Definition: Inflammation of the alveoli in the lungs, causing fluid buildup and impaired gas exchange.
•   Pneumonia Symptoms and Causes: Coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fever, often caused by bacterial or viral infections.
•   COPD Definition: Chronic lung disease characterized by poor airflow, leading to shortness of breath and coughing.
•   COPD Causes: Tobacco smoking is the major cause, followed by air pollution and genetics.
•   COPD Symptoms: Reduced lung function, trapped air, impaired gas exchange, low oxygen levels, and high carbon dioxide levels.
•   Lung Cancer Definition: Malignant tumor in the lungs characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, originating from lung tissue or metastasized from other parts of the body.
•   Primary Cause: Tobacco smoking, accounting for about 85% of cases.
•   Other Risk Factors: Exposure to radon gas, asbestos, secondhand smoke, air pollutants, and family history of lung cancer.
•   Prognosis and Treatment: Often diagnosed late, making it the leading cause of cancer-related death; treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
•   Sleep Apnea Definition: A potentially dangerous sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing due to physical blockage of the airway.
•   Sleep Apnea Symptoms: Loud snoring, restless sleep, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, moodiness, and increased risk of accidents.
•   Sleep Apnea Causes and Risk Factors: Relaxed muscles during sleep, exacerbated by alcohol or certain medications; more common in overweight individuals, smokers, those with diabetes, older people, and males.
•   Sleep Apnea Treatment: Treatment options include lifestyle changes, oral devices, CPAP therapy, and surgery.
•   CPAP Therapy: CPAP is the most common treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea, using pressurized air to keep the airway open.
•   Sleep Apnea Risk Factors: Sleeping on one’s back can increase the risk of sleep apnea due to potential airway blockage.
•   Source of the Text: The text is adapted from “Human Biology” by CK-12 and licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.
•   Content of the Text: The text is about disorders of the respiratory system.
•   License and Authorship: The page is shared under a CK-12 license and authored by Suzanne Wakim & Mandeep Grewal.

•   Respiration Definition: The process of releasing water vapor and other gases from the body.
•   Breath Visibility: Exhaled warm, moist air condenses into tiny droplets in cold weather, making it visible.
•   Respiration and Temperature: Exhaled air is warm and contains water vapor, which condenses in cold air.
•   Respiration Definition: Life-sustaining process of gas exchange between the body and the atmosphere, involving oxygen intake and waste gas removal.
•   Respiratory System Function: Supplies oxygen for cellular respiration and removes carbon dioxide produced by cells.
•   Respiratory System Processes: Ventilation (breathing) and gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide diffusion).
•   Respiratory System Organs: Lungs, trachea, bronchi, and diaphragm are involved in respiration.
•   Upper Respiratory Tract Function: Provides a route for air to move between the outside atmosphere and the lungs, cleaning, humidifying, and warming the incoming air.
•   Nasal Cavity Function: Warms and humidifies inhaled air, traps foreign particles, and contains chemoreceptors for smell and taste.
•   Pharynx Function: Connects nasal cavity and mouth to the throat, serving as a passageway for both air and food.
•   Larynx Function: Connects pharynx and trachea, houses vocal cords for sound production, and protects the trachea from food aspiration.
•   Lower Respiratory Tract: A tree-like branching system of passages within the lungs.
•   Respiratory Tract Structure: Inverted tree-like shape with 1,500 miles of airways conducting air to the lungs.
•   Trachea Function: Connects the larynx to the lungs, allowing air passage.
•   Lung Function: Site of gas exchange between air and bloodstream.
•   Lung Structure: Two lungs, right lung larger with three lobes and left lung smaller with two lobes, suspended in the pleural cavity.
•   Alveoli Function: Tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs, providing a large surface area for oxygen absorption and carbon dioxide release.
•   Blood Supply: Lungs receive deoxygenated blood for oxygenation and oxygenated blood for cellular respiration.
•   Respiratory System Importance: Vital for survival, requiring protection due to its exposure to harmful substances.
•   Mucociliary Escalator: A primary defense mechanism where mucus traps particles and cilia move them away from the lungs.
•   Coughing Mechanism: An involuntary response to remove mucus, debris, and irritants from the respiratory tract.
•   Sneezing Mechanism: Sneezing is an involuntary response triggered by irritation in the nasal passage, resulting in the forceful expulsion of air, mucus, and debris from the mouth.
•   Respiratory System and Homeostasis: The respiratory system collaborates with the nervous and cardiovascular systems to maintain homeostasis in blood gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) and pH levels.
•   Carbon Dioxide Regulation: The body primarily monitors carbon dioxide levels to regulate breathing rate and maintain blood gas and pH balance.
•   Respiratory and Cardiovascular System Interaction: The respiratory system exchanges gases with the outside air, while the cardiovascular system transports these gases to and from body cells.
•   Choking Definition and Causes: Choking is the mechanical obstruction of airflow into the lungs, often caused by objects blocking the pharynx or trachea, particularly in young children.
•   Choking Symptoms and Signs: Inability to speak or cry, labored breathing, clutching the throat, and blue discoloration of the face indicate choking.
•   Choking Treatment for Infants: Turn the baby upside down and slap on the back to dislodge the object.
•   Choking Treatment for Older People: Encourage coughing, give back slaps, and if needed, perform the Heimlich maneuver.
•   Emergency Action for Choking: If choking persists after the Heimlich maneuver, call for emergency medical care.
•   Respiratory System Overview: The respiratory system facilitates breathing, enabling the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
•   Key Components: The respiratory system includes the larynx, lungs, alveoli, and ciliated epithelium.
•   Respiratory Processes: Breathing involves inhalation and exhalation, while sneezing is a reflex action to expel irritants.
•   Page Source: This page is from CK-12 and authored by Suzanne Wakim & Mandeep Grewal.
•   Content License: The page is shared under a CK-12 license.
•   Content Topic: The page is about the structure and function of the respiratory system.

•   Respiration Definition: The process of releasing water vapor and other gases from the body.
•   Breath Visibility: Exhaled warm, moist air condenses into tiny droplets in cold weather, making it visible.
•   Respiration and Temperature: Exhaled air is warm and contains water vapor, which condenses in cold air.
•   Respiration Definition: Life-sustaining process of gas exchange between the body and the atmosphere, involving oxygen intake and waste gas removal.
•   Respiratory System Function: Supplies oxygen for cellular respiration and removes carbon dioxide produced by cells.
•   Respiratory System Processes: Ventilation (breathing) and gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide diffusion).
•   Respiratory System Organs: Lungs, trachea, bronchi, and diaphragm are involved in respiration.
•   Upper Respiratory Tract Function: Provides a route for air to move between the outside atmosphere and the lungs, cleaning, humidifying, and warming the incoming air.
•   Nasal Cavity Function: Warms and humidifies inhaled air, traps foreign particles, and contains chemoreceptors for smell and taste.
•   Pharynx Function: Connects nasal cavity and mouth to the throat, serving as a passageway for both air and food.
•   Larynx Function: Connects pharynx and trachea, houses vocal cords for sound production, and protects the trachea from food aspiration.
•   Lower Respiratory Tract: A tree-like branching system of passages within the lungs.
•   Respiratory Tract Structure: Inverted tree-like shape with 1,500 miles of airways conducting air to the lungs.
•   Trachea Function: Connects the larynx to the lungs, allowing air passage.
•   Lung Function: Site of gas exchange between air and bloodstream.
•   Lung Structure: Two lungs, right lung larger with three lobes and left lung smaller with two lobes, suspended in the pleural cavity.
•   Alveoli Function: Tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs, providing a large surface area for oxygen absorption and carbon dioxide release.
•   Blood Supply: Lungs receive deoxygenated blood for oxygenation and oxygenated blood for cellular respiration.
•   Respiratory System Importance: Vital for survival, requiring protection due to its exposure to harmful substances.
•   Mucociliary Escalator: A primary defense mechanism where mucus traps particles and cilia move them away from the lungs.
•   Coughing Mechanism: An involuntary response to remove mucus, debris, and irritants from the respiratory tract.
•   Sneezing Mechanism: Sneezing is an involuntary response triggered by irritation in the nasal passage, resulting in the forceful expulsion of air, mucus, and debris from the mouth.
•   Respiratory System and Homeostasis: The respiratory system collaborates with the nervous and cardiovascular systems to maintain homeostasis in blood gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) and pH levels.
•   Carbon Dioxide Regulation: The body primarily monitors carbon dioxide levels to regulate breathing rate and maintain blood gas and pH balance.
•   Respiratory and Cardiovascular System Interaction: The respiratory system exchanges gases with the outside air, while the cardiovascular system transports these gases to and from body cells.
•   Choking Definition and Causes: Choking is the mechanical obstruction of airflow into the lungs, often caused by objects blocking the pharynx or trachea, particularly in young children.
•   Choking Symptoms and Signs: Inability to speak or cry, labored breathing, clutching the throat, and blue discoloration of the face indicate choking.
•   Choking Treatment for Infants: Turn the baby upside down and slap on the back to dislodge the object.
•   Choking Treatment for Older People: Encourage coughing, give back slaps, and if needed, perform the Heimlich maneuver.
•   Emergency Action for Choking: If choking persists after the Heimlich maneuver, call for emergency medical care.
•   Respiratory System Overview: The respiratory system facilitates breathing, enabling the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
•   Key Components: The respiratory system includes the larynx, lungs, alveoli, and ciliated epithelium.
•   Respiratory Processes: Breathing involves inhalation and exhalation, while sneezing is a reflex action to expel irritants.
•   Page Source: This page is from CK-12 and authored by Suzanne Wakim & Mandeep Grewal.
•   Content License: The page is shared under a CK-12 license.
•   Content Topic: The page is about the structure and function of the respiratory system.