By: Emily Eng, Haley Fevold, Brittney Hogie 19.7 Life-Span Changes By: Emily Eng, Haley Fevold, Brittney Hogie

Changes with Age: The accumulation of environmental influences and the effects of aging in other organ systems affect the respiratory system. Muscles lose strength with age and breathing depends more on the diaphragm. The vital capacity of the diaphragm reaches its maximum around age 40 and may drop a third by age 70.

Changes in the Airways With age, protection of the lungs and airways start to lose strength ciliated epithelial cells become fewer in the respiratory tract, and their cilia becomes less active or gone mucus thickens, reflexes slow, and macrophages lose their efficiency in phagocytizing bacteria. These changes combined slow the clearance of pathogens from the lungs and respiratory passages, which increases susceptibility respiratory infections.

Microscopic changes 24 million alveoli at birth-> 480 million by adulthood One square foot of respiratory membrane is lost every year after 30 Decreases surface area available for gas exchange Oxygen transportation through the red blood cells becomes less efficient The diffusion of CO2 slows down

Changes from Environmental influences A person who has breathed clean air their whole lives will have pinker lungs and are able to exchange gases more efficiently. Air comes in through a pathway called the trachea. Then goes through outlets called bronchioles which bring oxygen into your lungs and expel carbon dioxide. A person who has breathed polluted air and/or smoked for many years is more likely to develop lung diseases. When a person smokes cigarettes, the chemicals inflame the lungs. Nicotine then paralyzes the cilia then toxic substances can group together. This results in lung congestion and smoker’s cough. The chemicals also break down the elastic walls within the airways. This makes the surface area in the lungs lessen. Then tar begins to fill in the lungs.

Noticing the change People who engage in only light activity are more likely not able to be aware of the slowing of air flow in and out of the respiratory system People who engage in unaccustomed exercise would quickly reveal how difficult breathing has become with age

Chronic Bronchitis An inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes which then produces a mass of mucus Cause: Cigarette smoking (which is the main cause), breathing in polluted air, fumes, or dust over a long period of time. Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition that continuously comes back and never goes away. Symptoms include: persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, low fever, and chest tightness. Treatment: medication called a bronchodilator and/or oxygen may be prescribed. Airway narrowing Healthy Mucus Inflamed

Emphysema The air sacs of the lungs are damaged and enlarged. Cause: a long-term exposure to airborne irritants and pollutants, such as tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, and manufacturing fumes Symptoms: emphysema includes a persistent cough, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Persistent coughing and labored breathing often indicate damage and irritation to the lungs. Treatment: options of prescribed bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, and antibiotics to help manage the symptoms of emphysema. Treatment for emphysema is dependent on the severity of the emphysema symptoms.

Lung Cancer Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the U.S. and worldwide. Cause: for nonsmokers, exposure to radon, secondhand smoke, air pollution, or other factors, but cigarette smoking is the principal risk factor for development of lung cancer. Symptoms: Coughing, pain in the chest, shoulder, or back shortness of breath Treatment: involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy as well as newer experimental methods.

Analogy Tree- lungs Tree trunk- Trachea Branches- Bronchi Leaves-Bronchioles Fall- Symptoms Snow- Disease Sun- Treatment