Download Deep Breathing - welcome to benefits.cat.com!

Respiratory
Health
Your name, title and date
Respiratory Health Objectives
•
•
•
•
•
•
What makes up the respiratory system
Breathing/benefits of deep breathing
Discuss transmission of respiratory illness
Diseases of the respiratory system
Discuss ways to protect your respiratory system
Effects of smoking on the respiratory system
The Respiratory System
• The purpose of the respiratory system is to carry oxygen to vital organs
and remove carbon dioxide from the body.
• The lungs are the main organ of the respiratory system and where the
exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
Breathing
Shallow Breathing
• The way one is taking a breath
– “Chest breathing”
• The amount of air that is being
inhaled
• Can be caused by
hyperventilation, which can be
triggered by anxiety attacks
Deep Breathing
• The diaphragm is used and
goes through the entire range
of motion:
– Moves downward when we inhale
– Moves upward when we exhale
Benefits of Deep Breathing
Exercises
• Can lower blood pressure
• Helps to clear the lungs of pollutants and contaminants
• Supplies the lungs with oxygen enriched air that the lungs don’t receive
with shallow breathing
• Works to calm the body and mind and reduce stress
Deep Breathing Exercise
2.
1. Close your eyes.
Inhale deeply through the nose, using your stomach, while counting to 5.
3. Hold your breath for several seconds.
4. Exhale through your mouth for the count of 5
5. Repeat this exercise for a total of 10.
Transmission of Respiratory
Illnesses
Infectious illnesses can be transmitted in many different ways. Germs that
infect the respiratory system are often transmitted by direct or indirect
exposure to germs that are released when an infected person sneezes or
coughs or by particles remaining in the air for long periods.
Some examples include:
• Common cold
• Influenza (Flu)
• Pertussis (Whooping cough)
• Tuberculosis
• Pneumonia
Disorders and Diseases of the
Respiratory System
Examples of common respiratory diseases that are not spread from person
to person include:
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): a disease that
continues to get worse over time because less air flows in and out of the
airways due to damage.
• Asthma: a chronic lung disease where the airways are always inflamed
and become narrowed, making it hard for the person to breathe.
• Allergies: the immune system’s response to a trigger or foreign
substance that doesn’t cause a response in most individuals.
Respiratory Defense Mechanisms
Coughing and Sneezing
• Coughing and sneezing are involuntary defense mechanisms that the
body uses to get rid of harmful irritants.
• The lower respiratory tract has highly sensitive receptors that can detect
the smallest particles and trigger the body to cough and expel these
irritants.
• The irritants found in the upper respiratory system such as the nasal
passages trigger sneezing.
Remember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or
cough or sneeze into your sleeve, to help avoid the spread
of germs!
How to Protect Yourself
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer!
• Get your flu vaccine every year.
• Avoid close contact with sick people or large crowds during cold and flu
season.
• Stay home if you are sick to help prevent the transmission to others.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough.
• Disinfect surfaces such as telephones, keyboards, desks, doorknobs or
other items that are handled by others.
Sand and Dust Storms
• Some areas are prone to sand and dust storms. When the dust and sand
get picked up from the wind, the storms can contain particles such as
bacteria, viruses, pollen, fungi, heavy metals, chemicals and toxins.
• Exposure to any of these irritants can cause allergies or various respiratory
diseases and even serious illness.
• Protect yourself and family in these storms by:





Taking extra precautions with the elderly and children
Using a dust mask or wet paper towel over your nose and mouth to filter small particles
Frequently cleaning your face, nose and mouth to remove the dust and contaminants
Making sure the doors and windows are closed tightly if you live in an area prone to storms
Limiting outside activities during a storm
Harmful Effects of Smoking
Smoking is very harmful to the body, especially the respiratory
system.
• Smoke contains carcinogens and toxins that are inhaled and deposited in
the respiratory tract, they weaken the tissue causing damage.
• Continuous smoking does not allow the lung tissue to repair itself.
• Smoking is the major cause of COPD, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and
emphysema.
• Smoke narrows air passages causing chronic irritation to the lungs which
leads to chronic bronchitis over time.
• Eventually lung tissue is destroyed which triggers changes that can lead
to cancer.
Stop smoking!
• There are many resources available to help you stop smoking.
• Check with your healthcare provider to see which option is best for you.
• Your healthcare plan may have resources available as well.
These websites offer great resources and plans to quit!
 http://www.tobaccofree.org/
 http://smokefree.gov/
 http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking
 http://betobaccofree.hhs.gov
Resources
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
www.Dreamstime.com
www.adam.com
www.Microbiology.mtsinai.on.ca
www.healthland.time.com
www.ucfsd.org
www.ncbsi.nlm.nih.gov
www.aarc.org
www.globalhealingcenter.com
http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
www.innerbody.com
www.cdc.gov
www.healthcentral.com
www.giostar.com
www.thevoicenotes.com
www.lung.org
www.mayoclinic.org
www.ci.independence.mo.us
www.who.int