The respiratory system consists of the nose, mouth, trachea, bronchial tubes, lungs and diaphragm and functions to supply oxygen to the blood for delivery throughout the body. As humans breathe, air enters the nose and mouth, and travels through the trachea to the bronchial tubes in the lungs. The lungs contain about 600 million aveoli, tiny air sacs that function to exchange oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out of the blood, according to the Franklin Institute. Many types of disorders interfere with the ability to breathe in air and perform the oxygen exchange.
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis occurs when the immune system overreacts to an inhaled substance. The most common triggers include pollen, pet dander, mold and dust mites. When presented with these allergens, the immune system produces antibodies which trigger the release of histamines—a chemical responsible for symptoms of inflammation.
Allergic rhinitis, which affects one in five adults, causes inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages, making breathing difficult, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis include stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, itchy mouth or throat, and headache.
Asthma
Asthma describes a chronic lung disease and breathing disorder that affects 23 million Americans, according to the American Lung Association. Asthma causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes making them more sensitive to certain inhaled substances. When triggered by an allergen or irritant, the muscles surrounding the inflamed bronchial tubes tighten causing airway constriction and reducing the flow of air into the lungs. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly referred to as COPD, describes a breathing disorder that gets progressively worse over time. COPD affects the aveoli causing the air sacs to lose their elasticity which interferes with their ability to inflate and deflate completely therefore decreasing the amount of oxygen reaching the bloodstream. COPD also causes increased mucus production, which clogs the airways, and inflammation of the airways. As the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, COPD remains a major breathing disorder.
Emphysema
Emphysema describes a specific type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It causes damage to the walls between each aveoli, which leads to the formation of fewer yet larger air sacs. The larger air sacs cannot exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide as efficiently, resulting in less oxygen reaching the cells of the body. The symptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, chronic cough, loss of weight and fatigue. Smoking remains the most common cause of emphysema, making this breathing disorder preventable.
