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The Respiratory System
6:59 PM
Deep within the lungs, in hundreds of millions of tiny sacs called alveoli,one of the most crucial of all physiological exchanges takes place:oxygen, which is required by every cell in the body to release energy, is drawn from the air you breathe and enters the red blood cells, while carbon dioxide, a waste product, is given off.
The route to this remarkable, life-giving micro-universe is long and tortuous, beginning in the nose and mouth and leading down through the windpipe,or trachea,to the bronchi,the tubes that lead into each lung, and on into even smaller passageways, known as bronchioles.
The pathway is reasonably well protected by the nose,which warms and filters the air you breathe, and by the mucous lining that cloaks the system, and is activated by millions of cilia, tiny hair-like projections,that help to move impurities back towards the mouth and nose.
In spite of these safeguards the lungs are directly exposed to the outside world, and are bombarded constantly by bacteria viruses, by potentially dangerous pollutants, including those that may be self-administered(such as cigarette smoke), and by airborne irritants(known as allergens) that can cause special problems for those who suffer from hay fever and asthma.
The questions and answers in this section are designed to help you in protecting your respiratory system and , when necessary,in treating common problems. The section also deals with more serious conditions-emphysema, for example, and pneumonia. The best respiratory advice of all, however, is probably the simplest: take care of your lungs and your doctor won't have to.
Q:Are chest X-rays dangerous?Can they increase the risk of cancer?
A:Generally speaking,chest X-rays do more good than harm.But too much will be harmful to your cells and genes.
Q:I smoke but i don't inhale.Am I still injuring my health?
A:Even Though you don't inhale when smoking,you still smoke in your mouth and increasing the risks of developing oral cancer and various other head and neck problem.
Q:How can I tell the difference between a cold and influenza?
A:You can't always,but there are basic differences.Such as influenza affects the entire body unlike cold gradual attack.Influenza is sudden fever at least 38 deg "C",tiredness,sore throat,chills,aches,sore eyes and hot,damp skin.Others flu-like viruses don't cause such widespread attacks.
The route to this remarkable, life-giving micro-universe is long and tortuous, beginning in the nose and mouth and leading down through the windpipe,or trachea,to the bronchi,the tubes that lead into each lung, and on into even smaller passageways, known as bronchioles.
The pathway is reasonably well protected by the nose,which warms and filters the air you breathe, and by the mucous lining that cloaks the system, and is activated by millions of cilia, tiny hair-like projections,that help to move impurities back towards the mouth and nose.
In spite of these safeguards the lungs are directly exposed to the outside world, and are bombarded constantly by bacteria viruses, by potentially dangerous pollutants, including those that may be self-administered(such as cigarette smoke), and by airborne irritants(known as allergens) that can cause special problems for those who suffer from hay fever and asthma.
The questions and answers in this section are designed to help you in protecting your respiratory system and , when necessary,in treating common problems. The section also deals with more serious conditions-emphysema, for example, and pneumonia. The best respiratory advice of all, however, is probably the simplest: take care of your lungs and your doctor won't have to.
Q:Are chest X-rays dangerous?Can they increase the risk of cancer?
A:Generally speaking,chest X-rays do more good than harm.But too much will be harmful to your cells and genes.
Q:I smoke but i don't inhale.Am I still injuring my health?
A:Even Though you don't inhale when smoking,you still smoke in your mouth and increasing the risks of developing oral cancer and various other head and neck problem.
Q:How can I tell the difference between a cold and influenza?
A:You can't always,but there are basic differences.Such as influenza affects the entire body unlike cold gradual attack.Influenza is sudden fever at least 38 deg "C",tiredness,sore throat,chills,aches,sore eyes and hot,damp skin.Others flu-like viruses don't cause such widespread attacks.
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