Respiratory System

In order to stay alive, the cells of our body need a constant stream of oxygen. We get the oxygen to the cells of our body through our respiratory system. Our respiratory system removes carbon dioxide (which can be lethal if it is left in our body to accumulate) and provides oxygen to the cells. The respiratory system has three major parts:

• The muscles of respiration;
• The lungs;
• The airways.

The lungs act as the most functional unit of our respiratory system, they help to pass carbon dioxide out of the body while also drawing oxygen into the body. Our respiratory system is essential to our functioning and survival, making it important to deal with any problems that it might face.

Respiratory System Diseases

Respiratory illness is a common problem, and there are a wide range of different problems that you might have. Sometimes these are due to environmental or workplace triggers, other times you might be genetically predisposed to certain problems. In no particular, these are a handful of likely problems:

• Pleural Effusion - A collection of fluid between the chest wall and the lungs;
• Pneumonia - An infection in the air sacs in the lungs
• Cystic Fibrosis - A genetic respiratory disease that causes sticky and thick mucus buildup in the passageways and tubes.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - This umbrella term encompasses a number of respiratory illnesses that cause the inability to exhale normally or breathlessness.
• Emphysema - Another form of COPD, primary cause is smoking
• Chronic Bronchitis - A chronic cough emphasizes this type of COPD
• Asthma - This chronic respiratory condition is rather common. The inflammation of the airways causes difficulty breathing.

Importance of Treating Respiratory Disorders

Whether you have asthma, allergies, or other types of respiratory disorders, it is imperative that you understand where these problems are coming from. An accurate understanding of the medical issue in combination with the right treatment helps people achieve a productive, active life.

Not being able to get full breaths literally means that someone is not able to fully utilize all their energy. That is going to have a negative effect on the overall quality of life for someone. This is why it is important to deal with these struggles as soon as they arise.

Respiratory System