Respiratory Health Your name title and date Respiratory

Respiratory Health Your name, title and date

Respiratory Health Objectives • • • What makes up the respiratory system Breathing/benefits of deep breathing Discuss transmission of respiratory illness Diseases of the respiratory system Discuss ways to protect your respiratory system Effects of smoking on the respiratory system

The Respiratory System • The purpose of the respiratory system is to carry oxygen to vital organs and remove carbon dioxide from the body. • The lungs are the main organ of the respiratory system and where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.

Breathing Shallow Breathing • The way one is taking a breath – “Chest breathing” • The amount of air that is being inhaled • Can be caused by hyperventilation, which can be triggered by anxiety attacks Deep Breathing • The diaphragm is used and goes through the entire range of motion: – Moves downward when we inhale – Moves upward when we exhale

Benefits of Deep Breathing Exercises • Can lower blood pressure • Helps to clear the lungs of pollutants and contaminants • Supplies the lungs with oxygen enriched air that the lungs don’t receive with shallow breathing • Works to calm the body and mind and reduce stress Deep Breathing Exercise 1. Close your eyes. 2. Inhale deeply through the nose, using your stomach, while counting to 5. 3. Hold your breath for several seconds. 4. Exhale through your mouth for the count of 5 5. Repeat this exercise for a total of 10.

Transmission of Respiratory Illnesses Infectious illnesses can be transmitted in many different ways. Germs that infect the respiratory system are often transmitted by direct or indirect exposure to germs that are released when an infected person sneezes or coughs or by particles remaining in the air for long periods. Some examples include: • Common cold • Influenza (Flu) • Pertussis (Whooping cough) • Tuberculosis • Pneumonia

Disorders and Diseases of the Respiratory System Examples of common respiratory diseases that are not spread from person to person include: • COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): a disease that continues to get worse over time because less air flows in and out of the airways due to damage. • Asthma: a chronic lung disease where the airways are always inflamed and become narrowed, making it hard for the person to breathe. • Allergies: the immune system’s response to a trigger or foreign substance that doesn’t cause a response in most individuals.

Respiratory Defense Mechanisms Coughing and Sneezing • Coughing and sneezing are involuntary defense mechanisms that the body uses to get rid of harmful irritants. • The lower respiratory tract has highly sensitive receptors that can detect the smallest particles and trigger the body to cough and expel these irritants. • The irritants found in the upper respiratory system such as the nasal passages trigger sneezing. Remember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or cough or sneeze into your sleeve, to help avoid the spread of germs!

How to Protect Yourself • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer! • Get your flu vaccine every year. • Avoid close contact with sick people or large crowds during cold and flu season. • Stay home if you are sick to help prevent the transmission to others. • Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough. • Disinfect surfaces such as telephones, keyboards, desks, doorknobs or other items that are handled by others.

Sand Dust Storms • Some areas are prone to sand dust storms. When the dust and sand get picked up from the wind, the storms can contain particles such as bacteria, viruses, pollen, fungi, heavy metals, chemicals and toxins. • Exposure to any of these irritants can cause allergies or various respiratory diseases and even serious illness. • Protect yourself and family in these storms by: ü Taking extra precautions with the elderly and children ü Using a dust mask or wet paper towel over your nose and mouth to filter small particles ü Frequently cleaning your face, nose and mouth to remove the dust and contaminants ü Making sure the doors and windows are closed tightly if you live in an area prone to storms ü Limiting outside activities during a storm

Harmful Effects of Smoking is very harmful to the body, especially the respiratory system. • Smoke contains carcinogens and toxins that are inhaled and deposited in the respiratory tract, they weaken the tissue causing damage. • Continuous smoking does not allow the lung tissue to repair itself. • Smoking is the major cause of COPD, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. • Smoke narrows air passages causing chronic irritation to the lungs which leads to chronic bronchitis over time. • Eventually lung tissue is destroyed which triggers changes that can lead to cancer.

Stop smoking! • There are many resources available to help you stop smoking. • Check with your healthcare provider to see which option is best for you. • Your healthcare plan may have resources available as well. These websites offer great resources and plans to quit! Ø http: //www. tobaccofree. org/ Ø http: //smokefree. gov/ Ø http: //www. mayoclinic. org/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking Ø http: //betobaccofree. hhs. gov

Resources • www. Dreamstime. com • www. adam. com • www. Microbiology. mtsinai. o n. ca • www. healthland. time. com • www. ucfsd. org • www. ncbsi. nlm. nih. gov • www. aarc. org • www. globalhealingcenter. co m • http: //epi. publichealth. nc. go v • • • www. innerbody. com www. cdc. gov www. healthcentral. com www. giostar. com www. thevoicenotes. com www. lung. org www. mayoclinic. org www. ci. independence. mo. us www. who. int