Respiration is an important physiological process, without which human life is impossible. Thanks to an established mechanism, cells are supplied with oxygen and can participate in metabolism. Types of breathing are distinguished depending on which muscles and organs are involved in the process.
Physiology of breathing
Breathing is accompanied by alternate inhalation (oxygen consumption) and exhalation (carbon dioxide release). In a short time, many processes take place between them. They can be divided into the following main stages of breathing:
- external (ventilation and diffusion of gases in the lungs);
- oxygen transport;
- breathing fabrics.
External respiration provides the following processes:
- Ventilation of the lungs - the air passes through the respiratory tract, moisturized, becomes warmer and cleaner.
- Gas exchange - occurs in a short interval of cessation of breathing (between exhalation and a new breath). Alveoli and pulmonary capillaries are involved in the exchange. Blood enters through the alveoli into the capillaries, where it is saturated with oxygen and carried throughout the body. Carbon dioxide is transported from the capillaries back to the alveoli and exhaled out of the body.
The initial stage of breathing promotes the transfer of oxygen from the alveoli to the blood and the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the pulmonary vesicles for further excretion from the body.
Transportation and end result of exchange
Transportation of gases by the blood is due to red blood cells. They carry oxygen to the tissues of organs, where further metabolic processes begin.
Diffusion in tissues characterizes the process of tissue respiration. What does it mean? Red blood cells associated with oxygen enter the tissues, and then into the tissue fluid. At the same time, dissolved carbon dioxide moves back to the alveoli in the lungs.
Through tissue fluid, blood enters the cells. Chemical processes for the breakdown of nutrients are launched. The final product of oxidation - carbon dioxide - enters the blood again in the form of a solution and is transferred to the alveoli of the lungs.
Regardless of what type of breathing is used by an individual organism, the metabolic processes that take place are the same. The work of the muscles allows you to change the volume of the chest, that is, to inhale or exhale.
The importance of muscles in breathing processes
Types of breathing arose as a result of contraction of the muscles of different parts of the spine. The respiratory muscles provide a rhythmic change in the volume of the chest cavity. Depending on the functions performed, they are divided into inspiratory and expiratory.
The first are involved in the process of inhaling air. To the main muscles of this groupinclude: diaphragm, intercostal external, intercartilaginous internal. Auxiliary inspiratory muscles are the scalene, pectoral (large and small), sternoclavicular (mastoid). In the process of exhalation, the abdominal muscles and intercostal internal muscles participate.
It is only thanks to the muscles that inhalation and exhalation of air is possible: the lungs repeat their movements. There are two possible mechanisms for changing the volume of the chest using muscle contraction: the movement of the ribs or the diaphragm, which are the main types of breathing in humans.
Chest breathing
With this type, only the upper part of the lungs is actively involved in the process. The ribs or collarbones are involved, as a result of which the chest type of breathing is divided into costal and clavicular. This is the most common, but far from optimal method.
Costal breathing is carried out with the help of intercostal muscles, which allow the chest to expand to the required volume. On exhalation, the internal intercostal muscles contract and air is expelled. The process also occurs due to the fact that the ribs are mobile and able to move. Such breathing is usually characteristic of the female sex.
Clavicular breathing is common among the elderly due to a decrease in lung capacity, and also occurs in children of primary school age. On inhalation, the clavicles, together with the chest, rise, on exhalation, they fall. Breathing with the help of the sternoclavicular muscles is very shallow, more designed for calm and measured cycles.inhale-exhale.
Abdominal (diaphragmatic) breathing
Diaphragmatic type of breathing is considered more complete than chest, due to a better supply of oxygen. Most of the volume of the lungs is involved in the process.
Promotes the respiratory movements of the diaphragm. This is a partition between the abdominal and chest cavities, consisting of muscle tissue and capable of contracting quite strongly. During inhalation, it descends, putting pressure on the peritoneum. When exhaling, on the contrary, it rises, relaxing the abdominal muscles.
Diaphragmatic breathing is common among men, athletes, singers and children. Abdominal breathing is easy to learn, and there are many exercises to develop the necessary skills. Whether it is worth learning this is up to everyone to decide, but it is abdominal breathing that allows you to qualitatively supply the body with the necessary oxygen in a minimum number of movements.
It happens that in one cycle of breathing a person uses both the thoracic and abdominal regions. The ribs expand, and at the same time the diaphragm works. this is called mixed (full) breathing.
Types of breathing depending on the nature of respiratory movements
Breathing depends not only on the involved muscle group, but also on indicators such as depth, frequency, the time between exhalation and a new breath. With frequent, intermittent and shallow breathing, the lungs are not fully ventilated. This creates favorable conditions for bacteria and viruses.
Full breathing activatesthe lower, middle and upper parts of the lungs, which allows them to be completely ventilated. The entire useful volume of the chest is used, and the air in the lungs is updated in a timely manner, preventing harmful microorganisms from multiplying. A person practicing full breathing takes about 14 breaths per minute. For good ventilation, no more than 16 breaths per minute are recommended.
Effect of breathing on he alth
Respiration is the main source of oxygen, which is constantly needed by the body for normal functioning. High-quality ventilation of the lungs provides the blood with a sufficient amount of oxygen, stimulating the work of the cardiovascular system and the lungs themselves.
It is worth noting the benefits of diaphragmatic breathing: being the deepest and most complete, it naturally massages the internal organs of the peritoneum and chest. Digestion processes are improved, the pressure of the diaphragm during exhalation stimulates the pericardium.
Respiratory disorders lead to deterioration of metabolic processes at the cellular level. Toxins are not removed in time, creating a favorable environment for the development of diseases. Part of the functions of gas exchange passes to the skin, which leads to its withering and the development of dermatological diseases.
Pathological types of breathing
There are several types of pathological breathing, which are divided into groups depending on the cause of impaired lung ventilation. Dysregulation can cause:
- bradypnea - respiratory depression, the patient performs less than 12 respiratory cycles perminute;
- tachypnea - too frequent and shallow breathing (more than 24 breaths per minute);
- hypernoea - frequent and deep breathing associated with intense reflex and humoral stimulation in various diseases;
- apnea - a temporary cessation of breathing, associated with a decrease in the excitability of the respiratory center with brain damage or due to anesthesia, reflex respiratory arrest is also possible.
Periodical breathing is a process in which breathing alternates with apnea. Two types of such oxygen supply to the body have been identified, which have been named: Cheyne-Stokes respiration and Biot respiration.
The first is characterized by increasing deep movements, gradually decreasing to apnea lasting 5-10 seconds. The second consists of normal respiratory cycles, alternating with short-term apnea. The development of periodic breathing provokes, first of all, disorders of the respiratory center due to injuries or diseases of the brain.
Terminal breaths
Irreversible violations of the respiratory process eventually lead to a complete cessation of breathing. There are several types of fatal activity:
- Kussmaul's breathing - deep and noisy, characteristic of poisoning with toxins, hypoxia, diabetic and uremic coma;
- apneustic - long inhalation and short exhalation, typical for brain injuries, strong toxic effects;
- gasping-breathing is a sign of deep hypoxia, hypercapnia, rare breaths with holding the breath10-20 seconds before expiration (common in serious pathological conditions).
It is worth noting that with successful resuscitation of the patient, it is possible to restore the respiratory function to a normal state.
