The Importance Of A Healthy Respiratory System 221q1i

The Importance Of A Healthy Respiratory System Daniel Chin Zhao Huan (3N)

The importance of our respiratory system and what is harming the system.

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Topic Introduction The Importance of the Respiration System Effect of Harmful Substances Diseases of the Respiratory System Improving the Quality of Air Reflection

Pages 1 2 3-5 6-7 8 9

Index

Introduction The respiratory system is an important system of the body. It consists of the nostrils, nasal cavity, throat, trachea, bronchus, bronchioles, alveoli, diaphragm, ribcage, intercostal muscles and the lungs. The respiratory system plays a role in the function of the brain and other systems. Nowadays, air pollution is causing diseases that affect the respiratory system. This scrapbook will tell you what, how and why.

The Importance of the Respiratory System The respiratory system is vital to the whole functioning of the body. This system is essential in bringing in the oxygen required by every aspect of the body, from oxygen the cells need to function and replace cells that have died to the oxygen the muscles need. It also removes harmful gases such as carbon dioxide from the body. The oxygen inhaled goes through the trachea, bronchus and bronchioles before entering the alveolus. There, the oxygen diffuses into the blood capillary. It flows into the heart where it is pumped to other parts of the body. It then diffuses into other body tissues. Without the respiratory system, it is impossible. That’s how important the respiratory system is. Therefore, we have to keep it healthy.

Effects of Harmful Substances The world today is full of pollutants, polluting the air. And it is harmful to our respiratory system. Below are the substances and their sources. Substances Tar1 Nicotine1 Carbon monoxide Sulphur dioxide Hydrocarbons1 Nitrogen oxide Haze Methane Cement dust Coal dust Asbestos dust1 1

Sources Cigarettes and tobacco Cigarettes, tobacco and electronic cigarettes (a.k.a. vapers) Cigarettes, tobacco and smoke from vehicles Smoke from vehicles, industrial areas and erupted volcanoes Smoke from vehicles and industrial areas Smoke from vehicles and industrial areas Smoke from vehicles, industrial areas and open burning Smoke from open burning and biomass Cement Coal Asbestos

denotes carcinogenic substances.

And these explain how it affects the respiratory system.

1. Nicotine a. Causes addiction to smoking b. Is a carcinogen c. Causes bronchitis and cancer

2. Tar

a. Is a carcinogen b. Damages the alveolus c. Blackens the lungs and reduce its efficiency 3. Carbon monoxide a. Reduces the oxygen amount in the blood b. Fatal as death may ensue 4. Sulphur dioxide a. Acidic b. Damages lung tissues

5. Hydrocarbons a. Is a carcinogen b. Cause cancer 6. Nitrogen oxide a. Interacts with hydrocarbons to form haze b. Can cause Vitamin B12 deficiency c. Has an asphyxiation risk (severe shortage of oxygen) 7. Haze a. A combination of nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons b. Causes breathing difficulties, worsens asthma and pneumonia c. Damages lungs 8. Methane a. An asphyxiant (something that causes asphyxia) b. Causes breathing difficulties 9. Cement dust a. Blocks the nose and the mouth, restricting flow of air b. Causes breathing difficulties and bronchitis

10.

Coal dust a. Blocks the nose and the mouth, restricting flow of air b. Causes breathing difficulties and bronchitis

11.

Asbestos dust Blocks the nose and the mouth, restricting flow of air Causes breathing difficulties and bronchitis Is a carcinogen Causes lung cancer

a. b. c. d.

Volcano eruption

Haze

A cigarette

Smoke from exhaust

Smoke from factories

Diseases of the Respiratory System 1. Lung cancer Causes: Carcinogens (e.g. tar, hydrocarbons, nicotine and asbestos dust) Symptoms: Coughing, difficulty swallowing, wheezing, shortness of breath, weakness and fever Cure: Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and palliative care 2. Asthma Causes: Smoke Symptoms: Shortness of breath, breathing difficulties Cure: None, but there are medications for asthma 3. Emphysema Causes: Smoking Symptoms: Cough and shortness of breath Cure: None, but symptoms are treatable through exercise, bronchodilators, corticosteroids and antibiotics 4. Bronchitis Cause: Tobacco smoke and dust Symptoms: Coughing up mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort. Cure: Rest, paracetamol (panadol), rehab and vaccination 5. Pneumonia Cause: Tobacco smoke, bacteria, viruses and parasites Symptoms: Cough, chest pain, fever and breathing difficulties Cure: Antibiotics, rest, simple analgesics and fluids 6. Asphyxia Cause: Inhalation of carbon monoxide and methane Symptoms: Abnormal breathing Cure: Unknown

Lung cancer

Asthma

Bronchitis

Pneumonia

Emphyse

Improving the Quality of Air  Carpool  Avoid open burning  Tighten law enforcement  Install catalytic converters onto vehicles  Stop smoking  Install filters in chimneys to prevent the release of harmful gases  Walk to nearby destination  Chop down trees controllably  Save electricity – generating electricity can cause air pollution  Use fans instead of air-conditioning  Use non-aerosol products  Try to take public transport

A catalytic

A factory chimney

Reflection When I did this scrapbook, I realized that respiratory-related diseases are caused by human hands themselves. I also know the importance of the respiratory system in us. From today onwards, I will do my part in preventing air pollution so that cases of respiratory-related diseases will be reduced. If our respiration system is damaged, irreparable damage may be caused and it will not work as efficient as usual, causing the whole body to fail because of the shortage of oxygen. For the sake of others and myself, I will do my part to reduce respiratory-related diseases to the minimum number. For the reasons stated above, I promise that I will          

not smoke not practice open burning appreciate nature try to take public transport more often save electricity recycle paper whenever possible walk more to near destinations use fans when it isn’t hot try to carpool with others reduce usage of aerosol

That’s all from me for now, Thank you.

Sources:       

Success Science Forms 1, 2 & 3 by Oxford Fajar Google Images Scribd www.hcdoes.org www.mayoclinic.org www.wisegeekhealth.org Science Textbook Form 3 by Masa Enterprise