RESPIRATORY THERAPIST EXPANDING ROLE

Respiratory therapist's expanding role in the care of long term patients

Respiratory therapist's expanding role in the care of long term patients

Respiratory Function / Dysfunction

This document will describe the structure and function of the lungs. She will also explain the influence of asthma on the lungs, and to outline the consequences of dysfunction of the respiratory system. The main treatment of asthma should be explained along the range of treatment responses in the minimization of this dysfunction. Measure of how asthma attacks can be prevented, and lifestyle factors associated with maintaining the healthy functioning of the system should also be discussed.

Respiratory system consists of light, and the system of air tubes that carry oxygen (air) and from the lungs, respiratory system is divided into two main parts, upper respiratory tract and lower respiratory tract. Upper respiratory tract of air movement in the lower airways. Upper respiratory tract consists of the nasal cavity (nose), air is drawn through the nostrils into the body where it is heated and humidified. The walls of the nasal cavity in a carpet of tiny hair like bristles called cilia that sweep debris and mucus up, so he swallowed or coughed out. Other cells, called goblet cells, lines Airways and secrete sticky mucus to trap dust and other particles.

Background

Sequential radical movements of cilia filter out the garbage, so when oxygen is finally reaches the tiny alveoli, the lungs, it is clean. Nasal passages are also responsible for smell. After the nasal passages, the air passes through the pharynx (throat), then pass through the larynx (voice box). Larynx works directly into the trachea (windpipe) and the relationship between upper respiratory tract and lower respiratory tract (Figure 1). There is a C-shaped cartilage rings that surround these airways, which keep permanently open the trachea, causing them to expand when inhaling and relax when exhaling. They also prevent the trachea is blocked by the "break" each time moving his neck, the rings are present only at the moment when the bronchi into the lungs. Lower respiratory tract known as the bronchial tree, a four-inch air-to-move, which divides at its lower end into two branches of the bronchi, one leading to each lung. Bronchi are the airways, which are distributed through the lungs like the branches of a tree. Branch of the airways smaller and smaller airways, they are known as bronchioles.

The right bronchial tube airways go to the right lung, which consists of three main lobes. The left main bronchus is the respiratory tract of transition to the left lung, which consists of two main lobes, these resemble a sponge / rubber texture. At the end of the airway passages in the lungs, which are the alveoli. Alveoli bouquets air sacs (which resemble clusters of grapes), each surrounded by small blood vessels called capillaries. The walls of the alveoli are very elastic (like balloons), they have the ability to stretch and contract as the air enters and leaves the ...