Lung Structure
There are two lungs, one on the right side of the body and one on the left. The windpipe (trachea) branches into the left and right bronchi and allows air breathed in from the nose to travel to the lungs. The left and right bronchi eventually lead to bronchioles that end in alveoli. Alveoli are tiny air sacs where gas exchange between the lungs and blood occurs.
The pleural cavity is the space between the outside of the lung and the chest cavity. The diaphragm is the muscle that causes the lung to expand and bring air in, while relaxing the the diaphragm allows air to leave the lungs. |
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Stages of Lung Development |
http://www.israelmedicare.org/medical-information/lung-cancer/
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http://www.embryology.ch/anglais/rrespiratory/phasen01.html
Common Lung Problems
Cystic FibrosisA lung disease that modifies the development of mucus and sweat in the body. It is characterized by a thick accumulation of mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. This can lead to difficulty breathing, bacterial infections, and possible lung failure. Symptoms of cystic fibrosis include shortness of breath, persistent mucus-y cough, salty tasting skins, reoccurring lung infections, and difficulty with bowel movements.
Asthma
This disease causes an inflammation of the airways while also narrowing them, causing them to become very sensitive. Substances inhaled from the environment then triggers the asthma symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightening, and coughing. There is also an increase in the mucus that lines the airways, causing the airways to become even narrower. Asthma is a a chronic disease that affects around 26 million Americans.
TuberculosisA lung infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is transferable by an infected person coughing or sneezing and and an uninfected person breathing in the same air. The infection has the possibility of being latent and having the body fully fight against it but certain people are susceptible to a full-blown infection. These people include those with HIV, those recently infected with TB, alcohol or drug abusers, and those with other major health problems like diabetes.
Lung Cancer
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Smoking
Smoking can cause the mucus in the lungs to become thicker and slow down the cleaning action of the cilia that lines the lungs. The buildup of mucus causes the airways to clog and cause excessive coughing. Smoking speeds the aging of your lungs and cause them to become irritated and inflamed. This can eventually lead to the destruction of lung tissue and reduce the amount of oxygen transferred to the blood. The toxins in cigarette smoke can cause normal lung cells to mutate into lung cancer cells. The smoke also causes the lungs to be more susceptible to infection. |
http://www.heartwiseministries.org/smoking-and-freedom/
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http://www.examiner.com/slideshow/healthy-lung-vs-smoker-s-lung
Environmental Pollutants
Common pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter are released into the air and have harmful effects when breathed into our lungs. Ozone can react with molecules in the lungs that cause free radicals to form that damages lung cells. Sulfur dioxide can cause irritation of the throat and, in extreme cases, cause pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). Carbon monoxide (found in cigarette smoke as well), hinders the body's use of oxygen by binding to the hemoglobin in the blood. Particulate matter that are small enough (less than 10 micrometers) can be inhaled deep into the lungs and cause lung irritation, inflammation, and lead to increased susceptibility to lung infections.
Common pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter are released into the air and have harmful effects when breathed into our lungs. Ozone can react with molecules in the lungs that cause free radicals to form that damages lung cells. Sulfur dioxide can cause irritation of the throat and, in extreme cases, cause pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). Carbon monoxide (found in cigarette smoke as well), hinders the body's use of oxygen by binding to the hemoglobin in the blood. Particulate matter that are small enough (less than 10 micrometers) can be inhaled deep into the lungs and cause lung irritation, inflammation, and lead to increased susceptibility to lung infections.
Common Warning Signs for Lung Problems
Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these signs since they may be a symptom of lung problems:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- coughing up blood
- chronic chest pain, coughing, and mucus production
References
1. http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/warning-signs-of-lung-disease/
2. http://betobaccofree.hhs.gov/health-effects/smoking-health/
3. http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/breathing/pages/smoking-and-lungs.aspx
4. http://www.webmd.com/lung/features/outdoor-pollution-and-lung-function-effects
5. http://www3.epa.gov/apti/ozonehealth/population.html
6. http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/1230.htm
7. http://www3.epa.gov/pm/health.html
8. https://www.cff.org/What-is-CF/About-Cystic-Fibrosis/
9. http://www.cdc.gov/tb/
10. http://www.medicinenet.com/lung_cancer/article.htm
2. http://betobaccofree.hhs.gov/health-effects/smoking-health/
3. http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/breathing/pages/smoking-and-lungs.aspx
4. http://www.webmd.com/lung/features/outdoor-pollution-and-lung-function-effects
5. http://www3.epa.gov/apti/ozonehealth/population.html
6. http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/1230.htm
7. http://www3.epa.gov/pm/health.html
8. https://www.cff.org/What-is-CF/About-Cystic-Fibrosis/
9. http://www.cdc.gov/tb/
10. http://www.medicinenet.com/lung_cancer/article.htm