What Is The Respiratory System?


The respiratory system is an incredibly important part of your body, one that most people don’t even think about until something goes wrong with it. If you have asthma or lung disease, you are well aware of the importance of taking care of your respiratory system and doing everything possible to prevent illness and injury. Take some time to learn about the respiratory system in general and how to keep yours healthy by following these six steps.


One of your body’s many systems, the respiratory system is made up of your nose, sinuses, throat and lungs. It’s responsible for getting oxygen from outside air into your blood and then distributing it throughout your body so that you can live, work and play. It does all of these things through a variety of means, including breathing through your nose or mouth; speaking; singing; eating and drinking; sniffing and sneezing or coughing if something gets into one of those air passages by accident. 


The ability to do all of these things depends on having a healthy respiratory system. And avoiding respiratory illnesses such as asthma, allergies and pneumonia is another big factor in keeping that system healthy and effective.

What Is The Respiratory System?


Where Do We Get Breathing Supplies From?


The respiratory system, which provides oxygen to cells and gets rid of carbon dioxide, is a biological machine. To understand how it works, imagine a garbage truck backing up slowly. The truck is your lungs pushing air out of your body. The storage bins are your alveoli, small balloon-like sacs that line your airways and catch oxygen before transferring it into the blood.


 Once all these bins are full with an oxygen-rich solution of water and haemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen) then they send out new empty bins down their assembly line that’s your lungs inhaling more fresh air and preparing for another round of waste removal.


How Does It Work?


The respiratory system is what helps your body break down oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. That’s important because while we can get some of those components from food, most of it comes through our breath. 


The respiratory system is made up of three parts nose, mouth, and lungs and their job is fairly simple. Breathe in air through your nose or mouth, then send it through small tubes (your windpipe) until it reaches your lungs. Within them are tiny sacs full of blood that exchange gases between you and your environment. If a virus or bacteria enters one of these sacs (either through a cut in your skin, from mucus in your throat or nose, or via an inhaled particle), it can be absorbed into our bloodstream.


What Happens If I Don’t Have Enough Air?


When you can’t breathe, your body’s fight-or-flight response kicks in. That means your heart rate speeds up, your lungs hyperventilate, and you sweat more. It also means that you experience a sensation of lightheadedness or dizziness and that it becomes much harder to think clearly or even walk straight. This may be helpful when facing down a sabre-toothed tiger but isn’t ideal for daily life; in fact, chronic hypoxia is one of many causes of high blood pressure and heart disease. And what happens if I have too much air?


How Does A Cough, Cold Or Flu Develop?


A cough, cold or flu develops when your body fights an infection caused by a virus. When you get sick, your immune system sends white blood cells and antibodies to destroy whatever germs are causing you pain and discomfort. 


Sometimes, however, these white blood cells overreact which can cause inflammation and swelling in your throat, nose or lungs. If it gets really bad (the flu) your breathing could become severely compromised and you might even need medication or respiratory support. 


Like any other organ system in your body, if something goes wrong with it (e.g., infection), you have a higher risk of developing cancer as well as illnesses such as emphysema or asthma later on in life.


What Are Some Natural Remedies For Getting Rid Of Them Faster And Naturally


While there are many home remedies for colds, it's always best to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication. While some of these options are well-tolerated and offer relief, others may interact with other medications you're currently taking.


 If you have a lot of mucus in your respiratory tract, there are also methods you can use at home to clear out your nose and sinuses such as nasal irrigation. This involves pouring a saltwater solution into one nostril and gently blowing air out through your mouth; repeat on the other side.