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How Lungs Work

How Lungs Work. Mary Ellen Gordian, MD, MPH. Outline. Normal anatomy and function of lungs Natural defenses of airways Common pollutants can injure lungs Common lung diseases Special considerations for young children Ways to protect lungs. Lungs. Lungs (cont.).

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How Lungs Work

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  1. How Lungs Work Mary Ellen Gordian, MD, MPH

  2. Outline • Normal anatomy and function of lungs • Natural defenses of airways • Common pollutants can injure lungs • Common lung diseases • Special considerations for young children • Ways to protect lungs

  3. Lungs

  4. Lungs (cont.) • People breath a lot, depend on constant gas exchange in lungs • Oxygen & carbon-dioxide pass through very thin walls of alveoli • But, any gas (poisonous ones, too) can pass through alveoli walls • And, very small particles can also pass through alveoli walls

  5. Cardiovascular Connection Gases distributed widely after entering bloodstream If lungs aren’t functioning properly, heart must work harder

  6. Defenses of Lungs • Air enters body through nose or mouth, which wets and warms air • Nose hairs, mucous and saliva filter some particles and germs • Air travels down windpipe (trachea) • Windpipe splits into two bronchi that enter lungs

  7. Defenses (cont.) • Airways have special hairs called cilia, coated with sticky mucus • Cilia trap germs and other foreign particles • Cilia then sweep particles up to nose or mouth where they are swallowed, coughed, or sneezed out

  8. Cilia Help Keep Lungs Clean

  9. Particles • PM10 (10 microns and smaller) • Inhaled into lungs • Accumulate in respiratory system • PM2.5 (2.5 microns and smaller) • Fine particles • Can lodge deep in lungs • Pose greatest health risks

  10. Poisonous Gases • Poisonous gases pass through lungs easily and quickly, directly to bloodstream • Common pollutants • Ozone • Carbon monoxide • Pesticides • VOCs (gasoline, other) Outside air Blood vessel

  11. Impacts of Air Pollution • Increased levels of air pollution • Emergency hospital admissions for heart attack, chest pain, congestive heart failure • Potential death from heart disease, arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiac arrest • Elderly, patients with heart disease or diabetes particularly vulnerable to cardiovascular effects of air pollution

  12. Impacts of Air Pollution (cont.) • Air pollution has both short- and long-term toxic effects • Injure heart and blood vessels • Increase hospitalization rates for cardiac illness • Can cause death • Scientists once thought air pollution primarily affected lungs • Also bad for the heart

  13. Common Diseases of the Lungs • Asthma • Many triggers • Inflammation • Blocking, narrowing airways, mucous

  14. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) • Chronic breathing difficulties • Airways and air sacs lose elastic quality • Walls between air sacs destroyed • Walls of airways become thick and inflamed • Airways make more mucus than usual • Air pollutants damage airways and air sacs

  15. Infections Influenza Pneumonia (bacterial, viral, fungal) Tuberculosis Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Pertussis Diphtheria

  16. Lung Cancer • Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in lungs • Smoking • Asbestos • Radon • Occupational exposure

  17. Keeping Lungs Healthy • Control exposure to pollutants and particulates • Control humidity in your environment • Drink water, eat fruits and vegetables • Exercise • Good for circulation • Opens alveoli • Improves lung capacity • Wash hands

  18. Protect the Lungs of Young Children • Lungs of young children very sensitive • Air pollution can limit breathing capacity for a lifetime • Exposure to certain pollutants can cause asthma, which can last a lifetime • Lung infections can cause damage which can last a lifetime

  19. Environmental Impact to Lungs • Lungs are our most intimate connection with the outside environment • Anything you breathe can affect your lungs • Germs, tobacco smoke, and other harmful substances can cause damage to your airways • Once airways are damaged your natural defenses are weakened

  20. Protecting Your Lungs • Don’t smoke • Causes chronic inflammation or swelling in the lung • Avoid exposure to pollutants • Secondhand smoke, outdoor air pollution, chemicals in the home and workplace, and radon can all cause  or worsen lung disease  

  21. Protecting Your Lungs (cont.) • Prevent infection • Cold or other respiratory infection can become very serious  • Good oral hygiene can protect you from germs in mouth that lead to infections  • Get vaccinated every year against influenza • Consider pneumonia vaccine • Get regular heath care

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