Did you know these things about your lungs? Let's talk!

Have you ever thought about how amazing it is that we breathe? Even though we just breathe, there is a big story behind it. This is due to an amazing organ in our body. That is our lungs. So today, let's talk about our friend called the lungs ? How does he work, what diseases can he get, and how should we take care of him? Let's talk in simple terms.

What are your lungs like?

Simply put, your lungs are the two main organs that help you breathe. They are a very important part of your respiratory system. The respiratory system is the collection of organs involved in the entire process of taking in air, removing the things we need from it, and getting rid of the things we don't.

You have two lungs , one on the right side of your chest and one on the left. Your chest is the area between your neck and your stomach. Both lungs are covered by a protective covering called pleural tissue . It's like a book with a cover.

The right lung and the left lung - like two brothers!

Although these two lungs look somewhat similar, there are some slight differences.

• Right lung: It is divided into three parts. We call them the upper part `(Superior lobe)`, the middle part `(Middle lobe)`, and the lower part `(Inferior lobe)`. It is slightly shorter than the left lung, but wider.
• Left lung: It has two lobes. They are the upper lobe `(Superior lobe)` and the lower lobe `(Inferior lobe)`. Why do you think the left one is smaller? The reason is, it has to make room for your heart. The heart is on the left side. That's why the left lung has a little notch `(Cardiac notch)` to make room for the heart. Also, the left lung has a little extension at the top called `(Lingula)` , which the right lung doesn't have.

What service do the lungs provide for us?

The main function of the lungs is to provide our bodies with the oxygen they need and to expel the carbon dioxide they don't need. This happens about 12 to 20 times a minute, even when we're just standing still. Imagine, this work doesn't stop even when we're sleeping!

The amazing journey of breathing

When you breathe in through your nose or mouth, the air first goes into the back of your throat, the pharynx. It then passes through the larynx (our voice box) and into the trachea (windpipe).

This windpipe divides into two, like the letter Y. They are called the main bronchial tubes. One tube goes to the left lung, and the other to the right lung. These airways must always be open, free of swelling or mucus. Only then can the lungs work properly.

Then these main airways divide into smaller tubes. These are called bronchi. These further divide into smaller branches, which are called bronchioles . These bronchi end in tiny air sacs that look like clusters of grapes. These are called alveoli .

Oxygen in, carbon dioxide out!

It is in these alveoli that an amazing exchange takes place. The oxygen in the air we breathe is absorbed into the blood through these alveoli. The oxygen-rich blood then travels to the heart, where it is pumped throughout the body. This is how every cell gets oxygen.

When cells use this oxygen to work, carbon dioxide is produced as a waste product. That carbon dioxide is then reabsorbed into the blood and carried to the lungs. When we exhale, that is, when we breathe out, this carbon dioxide is released from the body.

The guardians of the lungs

Our respiratory system is very good at stopping things that are harmful to the body from entering the lungs.

• Nasal hairs: These act like filters that clean the air. They trap large dust particles and insects, etc., right in the nose.
• Mucus: This mucus keeps the airways moist. It also traps dust and bacteria .
• Cilia : These are like brooms. They help push up the mucus and help expel it. One of the reasons smoking is so dangerous is that these cilia lose their function. This increases the risk of lung disease.

Some surprising facts about the lungs!

Now, look at these facts. You may not have heard these before.

• You can live with a lobe of your lung removed. Isn't that amazing? Sometimes you can live with just one lung.
• The lungs are the only organ in our body that floats when placed in water!
• When you exercise, you can increase your lung capacity, which is the amount of air you can breathe.
• There are between 300 and 500 million alveoli in the lungs of an average adult! It's unbelievable, isn't it?

Where are your lungs located? What do they look like?

Your lungs are located inside the thoracic cavity. They rest on a large muscle called the diaphragm .

Healthy lungs are usually a pinkish-gray color. You've probably seen pictures of the lungs of both smokers and nonsmokers. Lungs damaged by smoking are a dark gray color, sometimes with black spots. The lungs are triangular in shape, and are sometimes described as resembling the ears of an elephant.

An adult's lung weighs about one kilogram on average. It is about 9 inches long during normal breathing, and expands to about 10.5 inches during deep breathing.

What diseases can affect our lungs?

Unfortunately, our lungs can also develop various diseases . Some are minor and get better quickly. But some are more serious and can last a long time. Here are some of the most common diseases:

• Asbestosis: Scarring of the lungs and pleural tissue caused by inhaling asbestos fibers.
• Asthma: Difficulty breathing due to narrowing of the airways.
• Bronchiectasis: Swelling of the bronchial tubes, causing a phlegmy cough and difficulty breathing.
• Bronchitis: The main symptom is a cough. This can be either acute, which comes on suddenly and gets better, or chronic, which lasts for a long time.
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): A progressive, irreversible respiratory disease.
• Covid-19 `(COVID-19)`: This viral infection can cause mild to severe respiratory illness.
• Croup: A respiratory infection that affects young children under 5 years of age.
• Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disease in which sticky, thick mucus builds up in the lungs and other organs.
• Influenza: A lung disease caused by a virus.
• Lung Cancer: Smoking is the biggest risk factor for this.
• Mesothelioma: This is also a type of cancer. It is mainly caused by inhaling asbestos fibers.
• Pneumonia: A lung infection. It can cause fluid to fill the lungs and may require hospitalization.
• Pulmonary Fibrosis: Difficulty breathing due to scarring of the lungs. This cannot be cured.
• Pulmonary Nodules: Lumps that form in the lungs. Most of the time, these are not cancerous (benign).
• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): A respiratory infection that can affect both young children and adults.
• Tuberculosis: This mainly affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.

What are the symptoms of lung disease? How do you recognize it?

Symptoms of lung disease may include:

• Dyspnea: Feeling short of breath even with mild exertion.
• Chest pain: Chest pain when breathing or coughing.
• Cough: Especially persistent coughs, coughs that bring up blood with phlegm.
• Tiredness: Simply feeling tired.
• Wheezing: A whistling sound made by the chest when breathing.
• Swelling of the ankles and feet.

Important: If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor. Early detection is easier to treat.

What tests are done to check if the lungs are healthy?

When you go to a doctor, he or she will examine you and find out some things.

How the doctor examines you

• The lungs are listened to with a stethoscope to check for any abnormal sounds, such as ``Crackles/Rales'' (small popping sounds), ``Wheezing'' (a high-pitched wheezing sound), and ``Stridor'' (a high-pitched breathing sound).
• Respirations count how many times you breathe per minute.
• They will listen to your lungs and see if there is a change in your voice.
• A pulse oximeter is a small device that is attached to a finger and measures the oxygen level in the blood.

In addition to this physical examination, the doctor may order other tests.

Taking pictures to look inside - Imaging Tests

These tests allow the doctor to see what the condition is like inside the lungs.

• Chest X-ray
• CT scan `(Computed Tomography scan)`
• Ultrasound
• MRI scan `(Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan)`

Pulmonary Function Tests (Tests that check how well the lungs are working)

These are also called pulmonary function tests. They check how well your lungs can breathe and hold air.

• Spirometry
• Body Plethysmography
• Diffusion Testing
• Exhaled Nitric Oxide Test
• Lung Volume Test
• Methacholine Inhalation Test
• Six-Minute Walk Test

There may also be tests performed under anesthesia.

Sometimes a camera is inserted into the lungs to look inside (Bronchoscopy), a piece of tissue is taken and examined (Lung Biopsy), or a thoracotomy is performed.You may need to have tests/treatments that involve opening the chest, such as a chest x-ray. This is usually done under anesthesia.

What are the treatments for lung diseases?

If you have a lung condition, your treatment will depend on the type of condition you have and your general health. Treatment options may include medications, exercise, special equipment, and surgery.

Medicines

These can be given as an inhaler, as a nebulizer liquid, as oral tablets, or as injections.

• Steroids reduce swelling in the airways.
• Antibiotics treat infections.
• Bronchodilators to widen the airways. These come in short-acting and long-acting forms.
• Mucolytics help thin mucus and make it easier to cough up.
• Improve oxygen levels with Oxygen Therapy .
• Treat cancer with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy .
• Vaccines to protect against infections.

Exercises and accessories

• Special breathing techniques, for example (Pursed Lip Breathing) and (Diaphragmatic Breathing) .
• Airway Clearance Devices , such as Vest Therapy, help clear mucus from the airways.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery is necessary.

• Removal of part of a lung (Lobectomy) .
• Removal of two lobes of a lung (Bilobectomy) .
• Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the lungs.
• Complete removal of one lung (Pneumonectomy) .
• Lung Transplant .

What can we do to keep our lungs healthy? (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so this is the most important part. There are many things we can do to keep our lungs healthy, or to manage lung disease if we have it.

• The first and most important thing is to quit smoking if you do. The same goes for vaping. This is the greatest gift you can give your lungs.
• Try to maintain a healthy weight. People who are overweight are less likely to have lung problems.
• Exercise regularly. But consult your doctor before starting any exercise regimen.
• Eat healthy foods, in the right amounts.
• Drink plenty of water (unless your doctor has restricted your water intake).
• Get the vaccines prescribed by the doctor on time.For example, influenza vaccine, pneumonia vaccine.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly. This can help protect you from infections.
• Stay as far away from people who are sick as possible.

Remember, even though our respiratory system has ways to protect us, our lungs can get sick. Some get better quickly. But some are serious and last a long time. If you have a long-term lung condition, your general practitioner will refer you to a pulmonologist . The most important thing is to follow the instructions given by your medical team exactly. Then you can breathe as easily as possible.

` Lungs, Respiratory System, Breathing, Oxygen, Lung Disease, Healthy Lungs, Lungs