Chapter 36: The Human Breathing System

• Asthma
• Bronchitis

• Asthma is a difficulty in breathing caused by the narrowing of the smaller bronchioles.
• This is due to the contraction of the muscles in the bronchiole walls and inflammation of the wall lining.
• Cells lining airways make more mucus (phlegm) than normal.

Asthma is a difficulty in breathing caused by the narrowing of the smaller bronchioles.

The narrowing of the smaller bronchioles is due to the contraction of the muscles in bronchiole walls and inflammation of the wall lining.

Cells lining airways make more mucus (phlegm) than normal.

Cells lining airways make more mucus (phlegm) than normal.

• Itchy throat
• Coughing and wheezing
• Tightness of chest
• Lips and fingernails may turn blue
• Difficulty in talking and walking (breathlessness)
• Nostrils flaring

• Common asthma triggers- allergens such as pollen, feathers, animal hair/fur, fruit mould. Allergic reactions to medicines and food also cause attacks.
• Lung infections- bacterial and viral infections and mucus from sinusitis.
• Exercise (especially in cold air)
• Stress/anxiety

• Allergens such as:
• Pollen
• Feathers
• Animal hair/fur
• Fruit mould
• Household dust
• Allergic reactions to medicines and food also cause attacks.

• Identify and avoid your asthma triggers (tests can be done to identify precise allergens).
• Take preventive medicine before attacks are likely. Anti-inflammatories (steroid inhalers) used- they coat linings of the bronchioles and prevent any irritation or mucus build up.
• Use a peak flow meter to indicate any change in the internal volume of your lungs.
• Avoid cigarette smoke.

Anti-inflammatories (steroid inhalers) used- they coat the linings of the bronchioles and prevent any irritation or mucus build up.

Anti-inflammatories (steroid inhalers) used- they coat the linings of the bronchioles and prevent any irritation or mucus build up.

Anti-inflammatories (steroid inhalers) used- they cost the linings of the bronchioles and prevent any irritation or mucus build up.

Use a peak flow meter to indicate any change in the internal volume of your lungs.

A peak flow meter can indicate any change in the internal volume of your lungs.

• Bronchodilator inhalers relax the smooth muscle of bronchiole lining and cause them to dilate.
• Used during an asthma attack and gives relief by increasing the lung volume.

Relax the smooth muscle of bronchiole lining and cause then to dilate.

Used during an asthma attack and gives relief by increasing the lung volume.

During an asthma attack.