What Are the Factors That Compromise Breathing?

What compromises the automated act of breathing.

The respiratory system's main function is to take in oxygen for use by body tissues and to excrete carbon dioxide that is not needed in the body. This is done by the process that people refer to as "breathing," which is done consistently and automatically at different rates, regardless of people's awareness. Although breathing is normally effortless, there are some factors that can lead to difficulty in breathing.

Exertion

Doing activities that require a lot of physical strength can compromise breathing. The body constantly consumes oxygen; as activity level increases, more oxygen is needed, making the body increase the depth and rate of breathing. When overexertion happens, it is possible to reach a point that the body cannot inhale oxygen fast enough to meet its oxygen needs, leading to gasping and difficulty in breathing. Although most exertion leads to a realization by the person experiencing it, overexertion can lead to an automatic collapse.

Respiratory Conditions

Some diseases of the respiratory system can lead to difficulty in breathing by causing obstructions or limiting the passage of oxygen. Asthma, for example, causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making breathing more difficult. Although some people outgrow asthma, others require medications from time to time.

Emphysema is a disease that reduces the efficiency of gas exchange in the lungs, making breathing difficult and labored. Bronchitis is another sickness that limits gas exchange by causing inflammation and increasing mucous production in the respiratory tract, inducing coughing fits, which also add to the difficulty in breathing.

Medication Overdose

There are some medications that can depress a person's ability to breathe. Some anesthesia medications used in surgery, for example, can cause a slowing in breathing or, in rare cases, can even stop breathing altogether, resulting in the physician having to put the patient on artificial ventilators. Prescription drugs like sedatives or sleeping pills can also compromise breathing, especially in larger doses. Opiate medications for pain are another culprit of respiratory depression in large doses.

References

• Human Physiology: Factors Affecting Breathing
• Breathing: Prescription Drugs