How Does Respiration Work
It is through the respiratory system (breathing) that the oxygen gets into the body in the first place, and it is in areas of this system that the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange takes place
- Nose &Mouth
- trachea in the neck
- bronchi in the lungs
- bronchioles
- alveoli where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place
The respiratory system depends on four different groups of muscles to make is operate:
- Neck muscles: Help to expand the upper chest when you take in breath.
- Diaphragm: The main muscle for inhaling and exhaling air
- Intercostal muscle: help in moving the chest in and out when you breathe or cough
- Abdominal muscle: used for deep breathing and coughing
All the muscles that operate the respiratory system are supplied with nerves through the spinal cord.
Breathing simply means taking in (inhalation) & out of air (exhalation). This results in the exchange of gases in the alveoli and pushing of carbon dioxide out. In addition the this the respiratory system is capable of contractions such as coughing and sneezing. The contractions help to keep the system healthy and the passageways clean When you cough or sneeze, the intercostal and abdominal muscles, as well as your diaphragm, contract strongly. This forces air and any irritating matter out of the body through the nose and mouth. The most common irritants are thickened mucous secretions. Some mucus in the respiratory system is normal but efforts should be taken to keep it thin enough to be coughed out easily.
SCI and Breathing
An injury to the spine in the neck or cervical area will result in partial or total loss of respiratory muscles. For example, if the injury is in the Cl to C5 area, not only could the neck muscles be affected, but the functioning of the diaphragm and the intercostal area may be affected temporarily or permanently. If this happens, a breathing machine, called a 'ventilator' could be required.
If an injury occurs in the thoracic area of the spine (Tl to T12), the result could be the loss of some of the intercostal as well as abdominal muscles. If the loss were to be complete, the diaphragm and neck muscles would be the only ones left to accomplish the breathing process.
Injury to the spine below T12 has no effect on the respiratory system or the cough reflex.
Respiratory Complications
The potential problems from SCI that may occur in the respiratory system are
- Decreased Lung Volume
- Congestion and/or Pneumonia
DECREASED LUNG VOLUME
Causes
- Change in the function of the respiratory muscles
- Thickened mucous secretions in the lungs.
Sings
- Shortness of breath
Steps to Take how to Prevent
- Do deep breathing regularly
- Sit in wheelchair daily
- maintain regular turning schedule in bed
- Perform the manual cough procedure as needed to bring up secretions
- Do respiratory treatment as prescribed by the doctor
Steps to Take how to Prevent
- Do deep breathing regularly
- Sit in wheelchair daily
- maintain regular turning schedule in bed
- Perform the manual cough procedure as needed to bring up secretions
- Do respiratory treatment as prescribed by the doctor
CONGESTION AND OR PNEUMONIA
Causes
- Thickened secretions in the lungs that are not being coughed up and out.
Signs
- Shortness of breath
- Excess secretion in the lungs
- Heavy feeling in the chest
- Elevated temperature (above normal)
- Irritable and/or anxious feeling
- Pale complexion
Steps to Take
- Do manual cough as needed to bring up secretions
- Do respiratory treatments as ordered by your doctor
- Get medical advise if secretions are yellow-green and/or you have a temperature, have shortness of breath, and are unable to bring up secretions adequately
- Maintain regular turning schedule
- Do deep breathing as prescribed
How to Prevent
- Drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water daily
- Do daily deep breathing exercising
- Sit in wheelchair daily
- Maintain regular turning schedule in bed
- Stop smoking in case you do
Six Tips to Take Care of your Breathing System
- Fluid Intake. Fluid help keep the lining of the respiratory system moist and prevent secretions from becoming thick Drink approximately 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid daily.
- Breathing Exercises. Practice deep breathing three to four times a day. Try and do it at the same time every day
- Mobility (movement). Move as much as you possibly can. Activity helps to keep the secretions thin and moving freely. An active lifestyle will also prevent secretions from collecting in one place in the lungs.
- Humidity (moisture). Breathing in moist rather than dry air helps to prevent the drying of secretions in the respiratory system. In case of particularly dry air, hot water inhalation may help.
- General Health. Habits of sleep, rest, exercise and a well-balanced diet, will help not only the respiratory system but all the body's system to function well.
- Coughing. Coughing assists in cleaning thickened mucous secretions from the respiratory system.
