Normal function of Respiratory System
The function of the respiratory system is to provide the entire body with oxygen while simultaneously getting rid carbon dioxide through the process of ventilation (Shoopman, 2015, p.513). The respiratory system is split into two different sections: the upper respiratory tract and the lower respiratory tract (Appendix A). As air enters the body, it first passes through the upper respiratory tract, which consists in the order of the mouth and or nose, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), and trachea (windpipe); the air is transported through this order (Eisel, 2014, pg. 475). For purposes of this paper, only the lower respiratory tract will be explained in more detail because this is where asthma occurs. …show more content…
In the United States, 25.7 million people endure asthma and within that, approximately about 7.0 million juveniles under the age of 18 have asthma (Shoopman, 2015, p.573). There are many different triggers (Appendix C) that can cause asthma and with that, asthma can be classified as two different types, extrinsic and intrinsic (Appendix D). What occurs in both extrinsic and intrinsic types of asthma is that the inflammation causes airflow to be restricted which can proceed to narrowing of the bronchioles, airway irritability and swelling of the airways (Kaufman, 2014, p. 563; Appendix E). When the body is in contact with an asthmatic trigger is begins to release an inflammatory mediator known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) (Appendix F). IgE then attaches itself to the foreign body and continues to binds with mast cells. The mast cells then release histamine, which causes the smooth muscles in the bronchioles to constrict, airway irritability and or swelling of the airways (Kaufman, 2014, p. 563-564). Risk factors for asthma can include obesity, smoking, male gender as a child, genetic and environmental factors (Kaufman, 2014, p. 560). There are no specific reasons why these factors can put an individual at
The function of the respiratory system is to provide the entire body with oxygen while simultaneously getting rid carbon dioxide through the process of ventilation (Shoopman, 2015, p.513). The respiratory system is split into two different sections: the upper respiratory tract and the lower respiratory tract (Appendix A). As air enters the body, it first passes through the upper respiratory tract, which consists in the order of the mouth and or nose, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), and trachea (windpipe); the air is transported through this order (Eisel, 2014, pg. 475). For purposes of this paper, only the lower respiratory tract will be explained in more detail because this is where asthma occurs. …show more content…
In the United States, 25.7 million people endure asthma and within that, approximately about 7.0 million juveniles under the age of 18 have asthma (Shoopman, 2015, p.573). There are many different triggers (Appendix C) that can cause asthma and with that, asthma can be classified as two different types, extrinsic and intrinsic (Appendix D). What occurs in both extrinsic and intrinsic types of asthma is that the inflammation causes airflow to be restricted which can proceed to narrowing of the bronchioles, airway irritability and swelling of the airways (Kaufman, 2014, p. 563; Appendix E). When the body is in contact with an asthmatic trigger is begins to release an inflammatory mediator known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) (Appendix F). IgE then attaches itself to the foreign body and continues to binds with mast cells. The mast cells then release histamine, which causes the smooth muscles in the bronchioles to constrict, airway irritability and or swelling of the airways (Kaufman, 2014, p. 563-564). Risk factors for asthma can include obesity, smoking, male gender as a child, genetic and environmental factors (Kaufman, 2014, p. 560). There are no specific reasons why these factors can put an individual at