Monday, 22 April 2013
Sunday, 7 April 2013
1. How does your vital capacity compare to others in the class? Describe
some reasons why you think your vital capacity is what it is. Why are
the highest and lowest vital capacities the way they are?
My Vital capacity is a bit lower than that of everyone around me. Corey and I were away when this exercise was done, so in comparison to my sister I have a lower vital capacity. My vital capacity is different than others because I have asthma and therefore do not have lungs which work to their full potential and this makes it difficult to breath properly. Another factor is that I am a girl, and naturally have smaller lungs than that of the men. The highest capacities would probably be the people with the biggest and healthiest and lungs. Those conditioned through sports or otherwise would also have high capacities, and typically men would as well. Those with lower capacities could either be unhealthy, have smaller lungs, or a condition such as asthma.
2. How much air is in a usual breath? Why are our breaths the volume that they are?
Our breaths are the volume that they are because of a variety of things. one being our genes; another our gender. Men typically will breathe in larger volumes of air because they have larger lungs. so the size of ones lungs attribute to the volume of breaths one takes. Again, health plays a major factor in volume. A usual breath is 500ml.
How is the mechanism of exhaling forcefully different than a usual exhalation? Why would practice at this via exercise/instrument playing/singing make you better at it?
Exhaling forcefully is different than a usual exhalation because regular exhalation is involuntary. When breathing forcefuly, you are expelling air as fast and as hard as you can.You are doing this consciously and his is the difference. Practicing an instrument or singing can increase your vital capacities because you are exercising your lungs and therefore increasing their strength over time. The lungs will need more air and like anything over time, you will become better and will be able to hold your breath longer.
My Vital capacity is a bit lower than that of everyone around me. Corey and I were away when this exercise was done, so in comparison to my sister I have a lower vital capacity. My vital capacity is different than others because I have asthma and therefore do not have lungs which work to their full potential and this makes it difficult to breath properly. Another factor is that I am a girl, and naturally have smaller lungs than that of the men. The highest capacities would probably be the people with the biggest and healthiest and lungs. Those conditioned through sports or otherwise would also have high capacities, and typically men would as well. Those with lower capacities could either be unhealthy, have smaller lungs, or a condition such as asthma.
2. How much air is in a usual breath? Why are our breaths the volume that they are?
Our breaths are the volume that they are because of a variety of things. one being our genes; another our gender. Men typically will breathe in larger volumes of air because they have larger lungs. so the size of ones lungs attribute to the volume of breaths one takes. Again, health plays a major factor in volume. A usual breath is 500ml.
How is the mechanism of exhaling forcefully different than a usual exhalation? Why would practice at this via exercise/instrument playing/singing make you better at it?
Exhaling forcefully is different than a usual exhalation because regular exhalation is involuntary. When breathing forcefuly, you are expelling air as fast and as hard as you can.You are doing this consciously and his is the difference. Practicing an instrument or singing can increase your vital capacities because you are exercising your lungs and therefore increasing their strength over time. The lungs will need more air and like anything over time, you will become better and will be able to hold your breath longer.
Friday, 5 April 2013
Collapsed Lung
Today, we delve into the mucus-covered world of lungs. I've searched far and wide, to the furthest reaches of the internet to answer lingering questions surrounding the topic of a COLLAPSED LUNG.
What, pray tell, is a collapsed lung?
In accordance with this site, a collapsed lung is a collection of air in the space around your lungs which prevents the lung from expanding to the size of a normal breath, which, by the way is 500 ml. of air.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000087.htm
You may be wondering how can such a thing occur. Well, should the lung become punctured in some way, air would escape from it into the thoracic cavity, which is bad. Even worse, a spontaneous pneumothorax can occur, which is when lung collapse occurs out of the blue, without any evident cause.
Some people who are more prone to lung collapse are those with asthma, smokers, and very thin people.
Tell-Tale signs of this ailment range from sharp chest pains and shortness of breath to more extreme symptoms as changing of skin colour caused by lack of oxygen and rapid heart rate.
You can, however be tested and treated for these symptoms.
You may be wondering how can such a thing occur. Well, should the lung become punctured in some way, air would escape from it into the thoracic cavity, which is bad. Even worse, a spontaneous pneumothorax can occur, which is when lung collapse occurs out of the blue, without any evident cause.
Some people who are more prone to lung collapse are those with asthma, smokers, and very thin people.
Tell-Tale signs of this ailment range from sharp chest pains and shortness of breath to more extreme symptoms as changing of skin colour caused by lack of oxygen and rapid heart rate.
You can, however be tested and treated for these symptoms.
This Youtube video does a great job of explaining causes and symptoms of a collapsed lung.
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