Introduction to Respiratory Health

Introduction to Respiratory Health

The Respiratory system includes all of the organs involved in breathing and extends from the nose or mouth passing through the facial sinuses which help to regulate the humidity and temperature of the air we breathe.

Through the throat to the airways, the trachea or windpipe filters the inhaled air where it branches into the bronchial tubes carrying air into each lung.  The bronchial tube walls contain tiny hairs called Cilia which move back and forth, carrying mucus up and out of the lungs.  Mucus is then further expelled from the body when we cough, sneeze, spit or swallow.

The bronchial tubes lead to the lobes of the lungs where small, spongy sacs called alveoli are located.  This is where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs.

Respiratory Disease involves diseases affecting any of these structures.

These include:

The respiratory system has two key functions.

Delivering the vital oxygen our bodies require for healthy cellular function and expelling carbon dioxide, the waste product of cellular function. When something goes wrong with part of this system, it is harder for us to receive the oxygen we need and eliminate the carbon dioxide we don’t need.

This leads to poor lung and pulmonary function and requires investigation by a specialist in Thoracic Medicine.