Did you know these things about your airways?

We all breathe constantly, right? But have you ever thought a little deeper about how this breath enters our bodies, how it comes out again, and what are the routes it takes? Just like there are roads for cars, there is a special system of roads in our bodies for the air we breathe to enter our bodies and come out again. Those roads are what we call 'airways' or in English `(Airways)`. These are a very important part of our respiratory system.

So what are these airways?

Simply put, your airways are the tubes, or pathways, that allow air to enter and leave your lungs. Think of them as runways for airplanes to land and take off. These pathways are where oxygen-rich air enters your lungs, and carbon dioxide (CO2), a waste product that accumulates in the lungs, is expelled from your body.

These airways are divided into two main parts:

1. Upper Airways: These are located around your face, head, and neck. They are like the upper floors of a house. They include:

• Nasal cavities
• Sinus cavities (`sinuses`)
• The upper part of the throat (pharynx)
• Voice box (larynx)

These parts are where air is taken into the body from the outside environment.

2. Lower Airways: These are located in the lower part of your neck and chest. They are directly connected to the lungs. These include:

• The trachea (also called the bronchi )
• Main airways (`bronchi` - these are the two large tubes that divide the trachea into two)
• Small airways (`bronchioles` - those big tubes that branch out into smaller ones)

What service do the airways actually provide for us?

The main thing is to be a passageway for air. But, in addition to that, these airways perform a very important function.

• Temperature and humidity control: Imagine you're breathing on a cold day. It's not good if that cold air goes straight to your lungs. So, these airways heat that air to match your body temperature. Also, if the air is dry, they add the necessary moisture to it.

• Mucus removal and protection: There are millions of tiny hairs inside our airways. These are called cilia. They are like little brooms. In the upper respiratory tract, these stop harmful things like dust and germs from getting in. In the lower respiratory tract, a substance called mucus catches these small particles. Then, the cilia move upward like a wave and push this mucus towards the throat. This process is called the mucociliary escalator. Then, when we cough or sneeze, this mucus and those harmful things are expelled from the body. Although the constant production of mucus may seem like a nuisance, it is actually a way for our body to protect itself.

• Helping with speech and smell: Do you know how you speak? When you exhale, the air passes through the vocal cords in your voice box (larynx) and they vibrate, creating sound. Similarly, when you inhale, the scent particles that come with the air hit a special nerve at the top of your nose (the olfactory nerve), and that message goes to your brain, telling you, "Ah... that smells like a rose."

Let's know exactly the main parts of the airway.

We've talked a little about the above. Now let's look at how this pathway is formed, from the nose to the tiny air sacs (alveoli) inside the lungs.

• Nasal cavity (inside the nose)
• Sinuses (cavities in the skull around the nose)
• Pharynx (throat)
• Larynx (voice box)
• Trachea (windpipe)
• Main bronchi (`Bronchi`) (the two large tubes that divide the trachea)
• Bronchioles (smaller tubes that divide into smaller ones)

These small airways ultimately connect to the tiny air sacs (alveoli) inside the lungs, which are like clusters of grapes. That's where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.

What are the common diseases that affect the airways?

Unfortunately, there are a variety of diseases that affect this important system. They can be divided into three main types.

1. Chronic conditions

These are not illnesses that develop suddenly and get better, but conditions that last for a long time, perhaps even for a lifetime.

• Asthma: This is a condition in which the airways become swollen and narrow, making it difficult to breathe. Some people feel a tightness in their chest when they sneeze.
• Bronchiectasis: This is when the walls of the airways become weak and become swollen. This makes mucus difficult to clear and can lead to infections.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): This is a chronic lung disease that often occurs in smokers. It causes long-term damage to the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe.
• Cystic fibrosis: This is a genetic disease in which secretions in the body, especially mucus, thicken and block the airways.

2. Inflammation of the respiratory tract

Inflammation is simply swelling. These airways can become swollen for a variety of reasons.

• Infections: Viral or bacterial infections such as the flu, cold, pneumonia, and COVID-19 can cause the airways to swell.
• Allergies: Allergies to things like dust, pollen, and certain foods can also cause the airways to swell.

The name of the disease varies depending on where this swelling is located:

• If the main airways become inflamed: Bronchitis
• If the small airways become swollen (often in young children): Bronchiolitis
• If the sinus cavities become swollen: Sinusitis

3. Airway obstruction (Blockages)

Sometimes the airways can become blocked by something.

• Foreign objects: Young children, especially, are prone to getting pieces of toys, nuts, and food items like peas stuck in their noses and throats.
• Benign growths: Sometimes non-cancerous growths can form inside the airways and block the passage.
• Cancerous tumors: Things like lung cancer can also block the airways.
• Narrowing of the airway (`Stenosis`): For some reason, part of the airway may become narrow and tight.
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): This is the condition that many people call "snoring." The soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses during sleep, blocking the airway.

What are the common symptoms of respiratory diseases?

If you have these symptoms, it may be due to a respiratory problem:

• Nasal congestion, runny nose.
• Abnormal sounds when breathing. For example, there may be a whistling sound (`wheezing`) or a harsh sound (`stridor`) .
• Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) – feeling short of breath and a feeling of tightness in the chest even when climbing a few stairs.
• Excessive daytime sleepiness (especially in those with OSA).
• Frequent cough, sometimes with phlegm.

Important: If you have symptoms like these, it is best to definitely see a doctor and seek advice.

What tests do doctors do to diagnose these conditions?

The doctor may order various tests depending on your symptoms:

• Endoscopy: A procedure that uses a thin tube (scope) with a camera attached to it to look inside the airways. If it looks through the nose, it is called a nasal endoscopy, and if it looks into the trachea and bronchi, it is called a bronchoscopy.
• Pulmonary function tests: These are tests that measure things like how well you breathe and the capacity of your lungs.
• Pulse oximetry: A simple test that measures the oxygen level in the blood by placing a small clip on the finger.
• Chest X-rays and CT scans: These can take clear images of the airways and lungs to identify problems.
• Sleep studies: These tests are done to determine if you have sleep apnea (OSA).

What are the treatments for respiratory diseases?

Treatment methods vary depending on the disease and its severity.

• Types of drugs:
• Reduce swelling and open up the airways: This is often done with `(inhalers)` (e.g. `inhaled corticosteroids`, `bronchodilators`).
• For infections: Medicines such as ``antivirals`` are given for viral infections, ``antibiotics`` for bacterial infections, and ``antifungals`` for fungal infections.
• To control swelling caused by allergies, there are medications such as ``Antihistamines`` and ``Leukotriene modifiers``.

• If the airway is blocked or you can't breathe:
• Surgery: If the passage is blocked by something like a tumor, it will need to be removed surgically.
• Intubation: In cases of severe difficulty breathing, a tube (endotracheal tube) is inserted through the mouth or nose, and sometimes a machine (mechanical ventilation / ventilator) is used to provide breathing.
• Tracheostomy (or tracheotomy): A procedure in which a small opening is made in the front of the neck into the windpipe (trachea) to allow breathing. This can be temporary or permanent.

• For people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): A device called a CPAP machine is used at night while you sleep. This uses air pressure to keep your airway open.

How do I keep my airways healthy?

"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So, there are several things we can do to keep our respiratory tract healthy.

• Avoid smoking and vaping: This is the most important thing. The chemicals in cigarettes and vaping products can cause serious damage to the airways and lungs. If you already have respiratory problems, smoking can make them worse.
• Avoid harmful fumes and gases: Avoid breathing in things like secondhand smoke, chemical fumes, vehicle exhaust, and radon (a carcinogenic radioactive gas). If your job or hobby exposes you to dust or fumes, be sure to wear a mask.
• Drink plenty of water: Drinking enough water throughout the day helps to thin the mucus in the respiratory tract and help it to pass out of the body more easily.
• Protect yourself from infections: Wash your hands often with soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Get any necessary vaccinations as directed by your doctor.
• Airway Clearing Exercises: Some people, especially those with conditions like COPD or Bronchiectasis, have difficulty clearing mucus. There are special techniques for them, such as huff cough and chest physical therapy. Ask your doctor about these.

Final Take-Home Message

You probably understand now that our airways, or respiratory tracts, are not just little tubes. What a service they do for our bodies! Without us realizing it, they protect our bodies from germs, help us speak, and help us smell beautiful flowers.

So, it is very important for us all to take care of such a valuable system. The best things we can do are to completely avoid smoking, avoid breathing harmful smoke, drink plenty of water, and take the necessary steps to protect ourselves from diseases . Take care of your respiratory health!

` Respiratory tract, Airways, breathing, lungs, mucus, asthma, respiratory diseases