1. How Lungs Work Mary Ellen Gordian, MD, MPH

2. 2 Outline Normal anatomy and function of lungs Normal anatomy and function of lungs Natural defenses of airways Natural defenses of airways Common pollutants can injure lungs Common pollutants can injure lungs Common lung diseases Common lung diseases Special considerations for young children Special considerations for young children Ways to protect lungs Ways to protect lungs

3. 3 Lungs

4. 4 Lungs (cont.) People breath a lot, depend on constant gas exchange in lungs People breath a lot, depend on constant gas exchange in lungs Oxygen & carbon-dioxide pass through very thin walls of alveoli Oxygen & carbon-dioxide pass through very thin walls of alveoli But, any gas (poisonous ones, too) can pass through alveoli walls But, any gas (poisonous ones, too) can pass through alveoli walls And, very small particles can also pass through alveoli walls And, very small particles can also pass through alveoli walls

5. 5 Cardiovascular Connection Gases distributed widely after entering bloodstream Gases distributed widely after entering bloodstream If lungs aren’t functioning properly, heart must work harder If lungs aren’t functioning properly, heart must work harder

6. 6 Defenses of Lungs Air enters body through nose or mouth, which wets and warms air Air enters body through nose or mouth, which wets and warms air Nose hairs, mucous and saliva filter some particles and germs Nose hairs, mucous and saliva filter some particles and germs Air travels down windpipe (trachea) Air travels down windpipe (trachea) Windpipe splits into two bronchi that enter lungs Windpipe splits into two bronchi that enter lungs

7. 7 Defenses (cont.) Airways have special hairs called cilia, coated with sticky mucus Airways have special hairs called cilia, coated with sticky mucus Cilia trap germs and other foreign particles Cilia trap germs and other foreign particles Cilia then sweep particles up to nose or mouth where they are swallowed, coughed, or sneezed out Cilia then sweep particles up to nose or mouth where they are swallowed, coughed, or sneezed out

8. 8 Cilia Help Keep Lungs Clean

9. 9 Particles PM 10 (10 microns and smaller) PM 10 (10 microns and smaller) Inhaled into lungs Inhaled into lungs Accumulate in respiratory system Accumulate in respiratory system PM 2.5 (2.5 microns and smaller) PM 2.5 (2.5 microns and smaller) Fine particles Fine particles Can lodge deep in lungs Can lodge deep in lungs Pose greatest health risks Pose greatest health risks

10. 10 Poisonous Gases Poisonous gases pass through lungs easily and quickly, directly to bloodstream Poisonous gases pass through lungs easily and quickly, directly to bloodstream Common pollutants Common pollutants Ozone Ozone Carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide Pesticides Pesticides VOCs (gasoline, other) VOCs (gasoline, other) Outside air Blood vessel

11. 11 Impacts of Air Pollution Increased levels of air pollution Increased levels of air pollution Emergency hospital admissions for heart attack, chest pain, congestive heart failure Emergency hospital admissions for heart attack, chest pain, congestive heart failure Potential death from heart disease, arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiac arrest Potential death from heart disease, arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiac arrest Elderly, patients with heart disease or diabetes particularly vulnerable to cardiovascular effects of air pollution Elderly, patients with heart disease or diabetes particularly vulnerable to cardiovascular effects of air pollution

12. 12 Impacts of Air Pollution (cont.) Air pollution has both short- and long-term toxic effects Air pollution has both short- and long-term toxic effects Injure heart and blood vessels Injure heart and blood vessels Increase hospitalization rates for cardiac illness Increase hospitalization rates for cardiac illness Can cause death Can cause death Scientists once thought air pollution primarily affected lungs Scientists once thought air pollution primarily affected lungs Also bad for the heart Also bad for the heart

13. 13 Common Diseases of the Lungs Asthma Asthma Many triggers Many triggers Inflammation Inflammation Blocking, narrowing airways, mucous Blocking, narrowing airways, mucous

14. 14 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Chronic breathing difficulties Chronic breathing difficulties Airways and air sacs lose elastic quality Airways and air sacs lose elastic quality Walls between air sacs destroyed Walls between air sacs destroyed Walls of airways become thick and inflamed Walls of airways become thick and inflamed Airways make more mucus than usual Airways make more mucus than usual Air pollutants damage airways and air sacs Air pollutants damage airways and air sacs

15. 15 Infections Influenza Influenza Pneumonia (bacterial, viral, fungal) Pneumonia (bacterial, viral, fungal) Tuberculosis Tuberculosis Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Pertussis Pertussis Diphtheria Diphtheria

16. 16 Lung Cancer Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in lungs Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in lungs Smoking Smoking Asbestos Asbestos Radon Radon Occupational exposure Occupational exposure

17. 17 Keeping Lungs Healthy Control exposure to pollutants and particulates Control exposure to pollutants and particulates Control humidity in your environment Control humidity in your environment Drink water, eat fruits and vegetables Drink water, eat fruits and vegetables Exercise Exercise Good for circulation Good for circulation Opens alveoli Opens alveoli Improves lung capacity Improves lung capacity Wash hands Wash hands

18. 18 Protect the Lungs of Young Children Lungs of young children very sensitive Lungs of young children very sensitive Air pollution can limit breathing capacity for a lifetime Air pollution can limit breathing capacity for a lifetime Exposure to certain pollutants can cause asthma, which can last a lifetime Exposure to certain pollutants can cause asthma, which can last a lifetime Lung infections can cause damage which can last a lifetime Lung infections can cause damage which can last a lifetime

19. 19 Environmental Impact to Lungs Lungs are our most intimate connection with the outside environment Lungs are our most intimate connection with the outside environment Anything you breathe can affect your lungs Anything you breathe can affect your lungs Germs, tobacco smoke, and other harmful substances can cause damage to your airways Germs, tobacco smoke, and other harmful substances can cause damage to your airways Once airways are damaged your natural defenses are weakened Once airways are damaged your natural defenses are weakened

20. 20 Protecting Your Lungs Don’t smoke Don’t smoke Causes chronic inflammation or swelling in the lung Causes chronic inflammation or swelling in the lung Avoid exposure to pollutants Avoid exposure to pollutants Secondhand smoke, outdoor air pollution, chemicals in the home and workplace, and radon can all cause or worsen lung disease Secondhand smoke, outdoor air pollution, chemicals in the home and workplace, and radon can all cause or worsen lung disease

21. 21 Protecting Your Lungs (cont.) Prevent infection Prevent infection Cold or other respiratory infection can become very serious Cold or other respiratory infection can become very serious Good oral hygiene can protect you from germs in mouth that lead to infections Good oral hygiene can protect you from germs in mouth that lead to infections Get vaccinated every year against influenza Get vaccinated every year against influenza Consider pneumonia vaccine Consider pneumonia vaccine Get regular heath care Get regular heath care