Breath is the spirit of one�s life. Breathe is not just meant for act of inhaling and exhaling the air (Respiration), since it itself along with movement of chest (during respiration process) signifies one�s aliveness or presence of soul in the body. Breathe is very important for one�s survival and needs to be carried out round the clock / life (as like heart beat and blood flow). Breathing is a mysterious and marvelous natural function mostly carried out as an involuntary act (automatically) with expertise brain control, i.e. it won�t forget to keep working even during sleep.

Everyone can understand baffling breathe very well on getting clear answers for the following

• Why we breathe?
• What we breathe?
• How we breathe?
• How often we breathe?
• How much air we breathe?

Why we breathe? & what we breathe?

Oxygen is vital for life sustainability and needs to be supplied continuously to carry out cellular metabolism. Deprivation of oxygen can cause cellular death within few minutes. Likewise accumulation of carbon dioxide can also create problems. Among all cells, brain cells are more vulnerable and easily get affected with abnormal levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide. For example, during delivery of a baby � few minutes delay in attaining breath (without cry) can injure brain permanently and can cause death or developmental delays in case of survival.

We breathe especially for the need of oxygen and further to expel the waste and toxic carbon dioxide from the blood. Even though our atmospheric air normally contains Nitrogen 78%, Oxygen 21%, Argon 0.9%, Carbon-dioxide 0.03% and other traces of gases like Neon, Methane, Helium, Krypton, Hydrogen, Xenon, Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, Iodine, Carbon Monoxide, Ammonia, etc only oxygen and carbon dioxide are called as respiratory gases and respiration works mainly on them.

How we breathe?

Breathing is a complex process carried out in the chest with the help of nose, pharynx (posterior part of mouth), larynx (throat), trachea (wind pipe), and pulmonary bronchial tree (i.e. bronchus, bronchioles, etc) in synchronize manner. It is otherwise called as Respiration. In this respiration process, air is breathed in and pressurized into the blood. Finally aerated (oxygenated) blood is carried to the heart to supply oxygen to all the parts of the body.

During respiration, nose, pharynx, larynx and trachea function only as pathway and air conditioner. In course of these tracts, air gets filtered, humidified and warmed. Ventilating system (diaphragm, chest muscles, and elastic recoil tendency of lung) inflates and deflates the lung to bring the air in and out.

The core organ of respiration is Lung. It is a spongy rubbery pear shaped organ hanged in the chest. It works as an air filter, air purifier & air charger to the blood. It works like a transport corporation which concerns mainly for loading the oxygen to the blood and unloading the carbon dioxide from the blood. Altogether every one has two lungs � one in right and another in left. Further right lung is subdivided into 3 parts (upper, middle and lower lobe) and left as 2 parts (upper and lower lobe). Each part is supplied with a branch of brochus (branch of trachea) which again and again give out small branches to end as tiny terminal bronchioles. The area of lung supplied by terminal bronchioles is called as Alveoli or Acinus. It is the functional unit of lung where diffusion of gas occurs into the blood of surrounding capillaries (small blood vessels). Haemoglobin (Hb) in the blood is the carrier. It can readily carry oxygen from alveoli as oxy-haemoglobin and can release oxygen to the cells since it is bon ded to oxygen very loosely. Alveoli are lined by a special soapy secretion called as surfactant. It helps to lower the surface tension of the lung. The intra alveolar pressure, surfactant and elastic recoil tendency of lung prevents collapsing of lung during respiration and help to do work continuously. All the respiratory process is carried out and controlled by Vagus nerve.

How much air we breathe?

Normally, in an adult male, lung can hold about 2300ml of air (1850ml of air in females). During forcible inspiration, it can further expand to the maximum of 3600ml of air (2600ml of air in females) with chest expansion and can hold the same for sometime. Even though lungs can accommodate more than a litre of air in addition to the normal capacity during forcible inspiration, lungs operate only 500ml of air (400ml of air in females) per breath (by act of inhale and exhale). So, in one minute, lungs need 6-9 litres of air (i.e., under resting condition) for good respiration. During exercises or walking this need may go up to 27 litres / minute and sometimes even more.

How often we breathe?

Normally exchange of gas (breathing) happens 14-18 times / minute. But it can widely get changed with one�s consciousness i.e. from 12 to 24 per minute. The variation in respiration usually happens during anxiety, tension, nervousness, exercises, high altitudes, hypoxia, humidity, fever, metabolic acidosis, lung infections, heart dysfunctions, etc.

Medical terms commonly used for respiration and its variations are

• Eupnoea � normal respiration
• Apnoea � cessation of respiration
• Dyspnoea � difficulties and irregularities in respiration (with over consciousness of breathing)
• Hyperpnoea � Increase in respiratory depth (volume of air)
• Tachypnoea � Increase in rate of respiration

Good breathe often provides good amount of oxygen and thus good health. So, generally to improve one�s health / stamina / wellness of life, one needs to improve lung efficiency with good exercises / sportive activities and deep breathing exercises.

(To be continued)

Doctor's Profile

Making a Healthier Tomorrow Dr S Chidambaranathan, Homeopathic Consultant Website: http://www.drcheena.in/ www.drcheena.com E-mail: drcheena@yahoo.com

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March 25th, 2008