Welcome to this informational website, all about the respiratory system. The respiratory system is one of the 11 organ systems in the human body. This system in short keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.
Here, you can gain knowledge about many aspects of the respiratory system, including the anatomy and physiology of it, in addition to information about common homeostatic imbalances, with reasons as to why they occur.
Learn how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver, in case you come across a person choking and in need of assistance.
Interesting statistics and facts are included as well, about smoking, lung cancer, asthma, and more.
If you would like to gain even more knowledge about this system, or you would like to contribute somehow, information about helpful organizations/resources are available, such as the American Lung Association and the Smile Train.
Comment boxes are also available if you should have any questions regarding any of the information presented, or anything having to do with the respiratory system.
Enjoy. :)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Helpful Organizations
Spotlight: The Smile Train
The Smile Train is a nonprofit organization that focuses on solving the problem of cleft lip and palate. This organization's mission is to provide free cleft surgery for millions of poor children in developing countries and provide free cleft-related training for doctors and medical professionals until there are no more children who need help. They strive to completely get rid of the problem of clefts.
Most people with clefts cannot eat or speak properly and aren't allowed to attend school or hold a job. Many are faced with difficult lives filled with shame and isolation, pain and heartache.
To achieve their mission, the Smile Train works to receive donations for cleft surgeries. They cost as little as $250 and takes as little as 45 minutes.
To contact the Smile Train organization branch in the USA,
Call: 1-800-932-9541,
Mail to:
The Smile Train
41 Madison Ave., 28th Floor
New York, NY 10010
USA
Or Email: info@smiletrain.org
There are many ways in which you may contribute to this organization, for children suffering with cleft lip and palate. Ways include general, monthly, or tribute donations, online fundraising, planning your own fundraiser for the Smile Train, and more.
Helpful Organizations
Spotlight: The American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives, improve lung health, and prevent lung disease. The mission of the American Lung Association is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.
To achieve their mission, the American Lung Association helps to fund research, educate others, and advocate change. A few things the association does to do so includes Asthma Walks, and share inspirational stories of hope. The American Lung Association has affiliated programs as well, such as Open Airways for Schools, Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU), and Freedom from Smoking.
To contact the American Lung Association,
Call the 24 hour phone line: 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872),
Mail inquiries and correspondence to:
The American Lung Association®
61 Broadway, 6th Floor
NY, NY 10006
Or visit the informative website: http://www.lungusa.org
There are various ways in which one may donate to the American Lung Association. Ways include online monetary donations, planned gift giving, used or unwanted vehicle donations, buying ALA products for fundraising, and more.
How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver
Step 1: Ask the choking person to stand if he or she is sitting.
Step 2: Place yourself slightly behind the standing victim.
Step 3: Reassure the victim that you know the Heimlich maneuver and are going to help.
Step 4: Place your arms around the victim's waist.
Step 5: Make a fist with one hand and place your thumb toward the victim, just above his or her belly button, more specifically on the zyphoid process.
Step 6: Grab your fist with your other hand.
Step 7: Deliver five upward squeeze-thrusts into the abdomen.
Step 8: Make each squeeze-thrust strong enough to dislodge a foreign body.
Step 9: Understand that your thrusts make the diaphragm move air out of the victim's lungs, creating a kind of artificial cough.
Step 10: Keep a firm grip on the victim, since he or she can lose consciousness and fall to the ground if the Heimlich maneuver is not effective.
Step 11: Repeat the Heimlich maneuver until the foreign body is expelled.
(eHow.Com)
A Few Interesting Statistics and Facts
Did You Know?
Worldwide, between 80,000 and 100,000 kids start smoking every day.
Every year, more than 400,000 Americans die of lung disease.
Lung disease is America's number three killer, responsible for one in six deaths.
More than 35 million Americans are now living with chronic lung disease.
Asthma affects more than 20 million adults in the United States.
Over 9 million U.S. children have been diagnosed with asthma.
Asthma is the most prevalent chronic condition in children.
Asthma is the most common cause of hospitalization for children under the age of 15.
(American Lung Association, Achoo Allergy and Air Products.Com)
Worldwide, between 80,000 and 100,000 kids start smoking every day.
Every year, more than 400,000 Americans die of lung disease.
Lung disease is America's number three killer, responsible for one in six deaths.
More than 35 million Americans are now living with chronic lung disease.
Asthma affects more than 20 million adults in the United States.
Over 9 million U.S. children have been diagnosed with asthma.
Asthma is the most prevalent chronic condition in children.
Asthma is the most common cause of hospitalization for children under the age of 15.
(American Lung Association, Achoo Allergy and Air Products.Com)
Common Homeostatic Imbalances of the Respiratory System
Cleft Palate
Cleft lip is the failure of bones forming a palate (partition) to fuse medially. It results in breathing difficulty and problems with oral cavity function such as chewing and speaking.
Rhinitis
Rhinitis is the inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Excessive mucus produced results in nasal congestion and postnasal drip. It is caused by the cold virus and various allergens.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is caused the inflamed and swollen pharyngeal tonsil. This obstructs the nasal pharynx and forces mouth breathing. In mouth breathing, air is not properly moistened, warmed, or filtered before reaching lungs.
Heimlich Maneuver
The Heimlich Maneuver is a procedure in which air in a person’s lungs is used to expel obstructive objects. It is a relief for choking. Tracheal obstruction is life-threatening because through the trachea is the only way air can enter the lungs.
Effects of Smoking
Smoking inhibits ciliary activity and therefore destroys the cilia. Coughing is now the only way to prevent mucus from accumulating in the lungs.
Wheezing
Wheezing is a whistling sound, caused by diseased respiratory tissue, mucus or pus producing abnormal sounds.
Lung Cancer
One cigarette alone increases heart rate, disrupts the flow of air in the lungs, and affects one’s brain and mood. Long term effects of smoking include atherosclerosis, heart disease, strokes, cataracts, and osteoporosis.
Smoking overwhelms sticky mucus and action of cilia from protecting the lungs from chemical and biological irritants
Smoking slows movement of cilia.
Asthma
Asthma is caused by chronically inflamed, hypertensive bronchial passages that respond to any irritants, including dust mite, dog dander, and fungi.
Cleft lip is the failure of bones forming a palate (partition) to fuse medially. It results in breathing difficulty and problems with oral cavity function such as chewing and speaking.
Rhinitis
Rhinitis is the inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Excessive mucus produced results in nasal congestion and postnasal drip. It is caused by the cold virus and various allergens.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is caused the inflamed and swollen pharyngeal tonsil. This obstructs the nasal pharynx and forces mouth breathing. In mouth breathing, air is not properly moistened, warmed, or filtered before reaching lungs.
Heimlich Maneuver
The Heimlich Maneuver is a procedure in which air in a person’s lungs is used to expel obstructive objects. It is a relief for choking. Tracheal obstruction is life-threatening because through the trachea is the only way air can enter the lungs.
Effects of Smoking
Smoking inhibits ciliary activity and therefore destroys the cilia. Coughing is now the only way to prevent mucus from accumulating in the lungs.
Wheezing
Wheezing is a whistling sound, caused by diseased respiratory tissue, mucus or pus producing abnormal sounds.
Lung Cancer
One cigarette alone increases heart rate, disrupts the flow of air in the lungs, and affects one’s brain and mood. Long term effects of smoking include atherosclerosis, heart disease, strokes, cataracts, and osteoporosis.
Smoking overwhelms sticky mucus and action of cilia from protecting the lungs from chemical and biological irritants
Smoking slows movement of cilia.
Asthma
Asthma is caused by chronically inflamed, hypertensive bronchial passages that respond to any irritants, including dust mite, dog dander, and fungi.
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