Lungs: What they are, how they work?
Damage to the lungs from minor infections or injuries can heal on their own, but damage from smoking, pollution, or chronic diseases can be permanent.
The lungs are the main part of our respiratory system and work to deliver oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide.
How many times do you breathe in a minute? In seconds? Have you ever counted? How long can you live without taking a breath? Have you ever wondered about this?
Because breathing in and out is an automatic process, for which you do not have to make any extra effort. But, what happens if that breath suddenly stops? You certainly have the answer.
Not only is it essential for life, but the lungs play a major role in taking in and releasing oxygen, which is needed every moment.
The lungs, which are soft, sponge-like structures inside the chest, supply the body with oxygen and energy and remove toxic carbon dioxide.
What role do the lungs play in the continuous process from taking in oxygen to taking out carbon dioxide? Why are two lungs necessary? How much damage does smoking cause?
What is the function of the lungs and what is their structure?
The lungs are the main organs of our respiratory system. They are made of soft, flexible tissue like a sponge and are located inside the chest around the heart. The lungs have a thin membrane on the outside that protects them. They are divided into two parts: the right lung has three parts: ‘upper, middle and lower’. The left lung has two parts: ‘upper and lower’. The left lung is slightly smaller because the heart occupies more space on the left.
The respiratory system begins with the nose or mouth. Air enters the trachea through the throat. It is then divided into two parts. The air we inhale enters the right and left lungs separately. After reaching the lungs, the bronchi divide 23 times like the branches of a tree, reaching the smallest tubes and ending at the ‘alveoli’ (air sacs).
The alveoli are thin membranous tissues like grape clusters, around which the blood vessels coming from the heart are spread like a spider web. An adult has 300 million to 600 million alveoli.
If the lungs are fully expanded, their surface area is 70-100 square meters, the size of a tennis court. The lung weighs 1 to 1.2 kilograms. The right one is slightly larger and heavier. The lung is the only organ in the body that can float in water, because it is always full of air. Even after breathing out completely, about 1 liter of air remains in it.
What is its main function?
The main function of the lungs is to supply oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide, which is called gas exchange. This is possible due to the thin membrane between the alveoli and the blood vessels.
Oxygen is absorbed from the air coming from outside and enters the circulatory system and reaches various cells of the body to provide energy. Similarly, carbon dioxide, a toxic gas produced by the body's organs, enters the alveoli through the blood vessels and is released when we exhale. This process continues continuously. The lungs also filter the air, which protects the body from infection.
It produces phlegm, which traps dust, germs, and pollutants and expels them when we cough them up. We breathe 8,000 to 9,000 liters of air every day, but the body uses only 5 percent of the oxygen from this air. The lungs are closely connected to the heart, so heart problems can also affect the lungs.
Why do humans have two lungs? What happens if one lung fails?
The main reason for having two lungs is for the body’s balance and safety. Both lungs work separately but support each other. If one lung develops a problem, such as cancer or infection, the other one takes over, which can help save lives. This makes it easier for the heart and other organs to function together.
Even if one lung is completely removed, a person can still survive, but not at full capacity. The failed lung can cause problems such as infection, blistering, or bleeding, and the infection can spread to the other lung because there is no barrier between the two.
Pollution or other external factors affect both equally, but some diseases can affect only one side. If a failed lung causes a lot of problems, it may need to be surgically removed.
How do the lungs take in and expel air?
The process of taking in air is called respiration, which consists of two stages – ‘inhalation’, which is the process of drawing air in, and ‘exhalation’, which is the process of expelling air out. This process is controlled by the brain and occurs 12-20 times per minute.
During inhalation, air from the nose or mouth passes through the throat, trachea, bronchi, and small tubes in the lungs, and then reaches the alveoli. The diaphragm muscle moves down, increasing the space in the chest, which draws air in. About half a liter of air is taken in with each breath.
During exhalation, the diaphragm moves up, the chest narrows, and air is expelled from the lungs. This process is also called ventilation. It is affected in chronic lung diseases, which are called respiratory failure. Sudden problems such as food getting stuck in the airway or tumors can also affect it.
Is there a chance of recovery if the lungs are damaged? How does smoking affect this?
The likelihood of lung damage depends on the type and extent of damage. The lungs have some ability to regenerate. They can heal themselves from minor infections or injuries, such as damage from the flu or pneumonia, which can be treated and cured with time and rest. However, serious damage caused by smoking, pollution, or chronic diseases such as COPD, fibrosis, or cancer can be permanent and may not fully recover. In such cases, medical treatment, medication, or surgery may be necessary.
Smoking is harmful to the lungs. It damages the fine hairs and membranes of the airways, which makes it easier for dust, smoke, or viruses to enter the lungs. This increases the risk of pneumonia or other infections. Smokers' lungs become black/brown, inflamed, and damaged. However, quitting smoking has a positive effect on the lungs. The lungs have various defense mechanisms, such as nasal hairs, which are damaged by smoking but largely repaired after quitting.
Although not completely restored, the risk of infection is reduced and health improves. Quitting smoking is beneficial at any age, even up to 90 years. A healthy lifestyle, exercise, and avoiding pollution increase the chances of recovery, but this depends on individual health. If there is a problem, it is best to consult a doctor.
What are the main problems that occur in the lungs? And how to maintain lung health?
Immediate problems in the lungs such as colds, coughs, nasal congestion, sore throat, fever, chest pain, and problems with the airways that cause coughing or wheezing. In the long term, pneumonia, lung infections, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer are the main ones. Lung infections, asthma, and cancer are more common in Nepal. As diseases like asthma increase, lung capacity decreases, which affects daily life.
Lung health depends on daily air quality, diet and lifestyle. Healthy lungs are pink in color. To keep them healthy, you should quit smoking completely, exercise regularly, which increases lung capacity.
Wear a mask to avoid pollution, breathe clean air, eat a balanced diet and drink enough water. If you have difficulty breathing, cough or chest pain, you should immediately get checked by a doctor. Since the lungs are connected to the heart and other organs, it is necessary to pay attention to overall health.
