Types of breathing in humans

Breathing is an important physiological process, without which human life is impossible. Thanks to the established mechanism, cells are supplied with oxygen and can participate in metabolism. Types of breathing are different depending on what muscles and organs are involved in the process.

Physiology of breathing

Breathing is accompanied by alternate inhalation (oxygen consumption) and exhalation (release of carbon dioxide). In a short time, many processes take place between them. They can be divided into the following main stages of breathing:

• External (ventilation and diffusion of gases in the lungs);
• Transportation of oxygen;
• Respiration of tissues.

External breathing provides the following processes:

1. Ventilation of the lungs - air passes through the respiratory tract, moistens, becomes warmer and cleaner.
2. Gas exchange - occurs in a short interval of cessation of breathing (between exhalation and a new inspiration). In an exchange participate alveoli and pulmonary capillaries. Blood flows through the alveoli into the capillaries, where it is saturated with oxygen and spread throughout the body. Carbon dioxide is transported from the capillaries back to the alveoli and expelled from the body upon exhalation.

The initial stage of breathing promotes the transfer of oxygen from the alveoli to the blood and the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the pulmonary vesicles for further excretion from the body.

Transportation and the end result of the exchange

Transport of gases by blood occurs due to erythrocytes. They carry oxygen to the tissues of the organs, where further metabolic processes begin.

Diffusion in tissues characterizes the process of tissue respiration. What does it mean? Erythrocytes, associated with oxygen, enter the tissues, and then into the tissue fluid. Simultaneously, the dissolved carbon dioxide moves back to the alveoli of the lungs.

Through the tissue fluid, blood enters the cells. The chemical processes of nutrient breakdown are started. The final product of oxidation - carbon dioxide - re-enters the blood in the form of a solution and is transferred to the alveoli of the lungs.

Regardless of what type of breathing is used by a separate organism, the ongoing exchange processes are the same. The work of the muscles allows you to change the volume of the chest, i.e., to inhale or exhale.

The importance of muscles in the processes of breathing

Types of breathing arose as a result of muscle contraction in different parts of the spine. Breathing muscles provide a rhythmic change in the volume of the chest cavity. Depending on the functions performed, they are divided into inspiratory and expiratory.

The first participate in the process of inhalation of air. The main muscles of this group include: diaphragm, intercostal external, interchondral internal. Auxiliary inspiratory muscles make up stairways, thoracic (large and small), sternocleid (mastoid). In the process of exhalation, abdominal muscles and intercostal internal muscles participate.

Only the muscles can inhale and exhale air: the lungs repeat their movements. There are two possible mechanisms for changing the volume of the chest with the help of muscle contraction: the movement of the ribs or diaphragm, which constitutes the main types of respiration in humans.

Breast breathing

With this type, only the upper part of the lungs actively participates in the process. Ribs or clavicles are involved, as a result of which the thoracic type of respiration is divided into costal and clavicular. This is the most frequent, but far from optimal method.

Riberal breathing is performed with the help of intercostal muscles, which allow the thorax to expand to the required volume. On exhalation, the internal intercostal muscles contract, and the air exits. The process is also due to the fact that the ribs have mobility and are able to move. Such breathing is usually inherent in the female sex.

Clavicular breathing is common among the elderly due to a decrease in lung capacity, and also occurs in children of primary school age. On the inhalation, the clavicles rise together with the thorax, and lowered as they exhale. Breathing with the sternocleidosus muscles is very superficial, more calculated for calm and measured cycles of inspiration-exhalation.

Abdominal (diaphragmatic) breathing

The diaphragmatic type of breathing is considered more complete than the thoracic type, due to better oxygen supply. Most of the lung volume is involved in the process.

Promotes the respiratory movement of the diaphragm. This is a septum between the abdominal and thoracic cavities, consisting of muscle tissue and capable of sufficiently contracting. During inspiration, she falls down, exerting pressure on the peritoneum. At exhalation, on the contrary, rises upwards, weakening muscles of a stomach.

Diaphragmatic breathing is common among men, athletes, singers and children. To learn abdominal breathing is not difficult, there are many exercises for developing the necessary skills. Whether it is worthwhile to learn this is up to everyone, but it is the abdominal breathing that allows the body to supply the body with the necessary oxygen for a minimal amount of movements.

It happens that in one cycle of breathing a person uses both the thoracic and abdominal parts. The ribs expand, and at the same time the diaphragm also works. It is called mixed (full) breathing.

Types of respiration depending on the nature of respiratory movements

Breathing depends not only on the muscle group involved, but also on such factors as depth, frequency, time between the exhalation and the new inspiration. With frequent, intermittent and shallow breathing, the lungs are not completely ventilated. This creates favorable conditions for bacteria and viruses.

Full breathing uses the lower, middle and upper parts of the lungs, which allows them to fully ventilate them. The whole useful volume of the chest is used, and the air in the lungs is updated in a timely manner, not allowing the reproduction of harmful microorganisms. A person practicing full breathing makes about 14 breaths per minute. For good ventilation it is recommended to perform no more than 16 breaths per minute.

The effect of breathing on health

Breathing is the main source of oxygen, which is constantly needed by the body for normal functioning. Qualitative ventilation provides the blood with sufficient oxygen, stimulating the cardiovascular system and the lungs themselves.

It is worth noting the benefit of diaphragmatic breathing: being the deepest and most complete, it naturally massages the internal organs of the peritoneum and thorax. Improving the digestive process, the pressure of the diaphragm during exhalation stimulates the pericardium.

Disturbances of respiration lead to worsening of metabolic processes at the cellular level. Toxins are not removed on time, creating a favorable environment for the development of diseases. Part of the functions of gas exchange passes to the skin, which leads to its fading and the development of dermatological diseases.

Pathological types of respiration

There are several types of pathological respiration, which are divided into groups, depending on the cause of pulmonary ventilation disorders. Disorders of regulation can cause:

• Bradypnea - oppression of respiratory functions, the patient commits less than 12 respiratory cycles per minute;
• Tachypnea - too frequent and shallow breathing (more than 24 respiratory cycles per minute);
• Hypernoea - frequent and deep breathing associated with intense reflex and humoral stimulation for various diseases;
• Apnea - temporary cessation of breathing, is associated with a decrease in the excitability of the respiratory center in brain lesions or as a result of anesthesia, and reflex stopping of breathing is also possible.

Periodic breathing is a process in which breathing alternates with apnea. Two types of this intake of oxygen into the body were identified, which were named: Cheyne-Stokes respiration and Biot's respiration.

The first is characterized by increasing deep movements, gradually decreasing to apnea with a duration of 5-10 seconds. The second is normal breathing cycles, alternating with short-term apnea. The development of periodic respiration provokes, above all, disturbances in the respiratory center due to injuries or brain diseases.

Terminal types of respiration

Irreversible disturbances of the respiratory process lead to a complete cessation of breathing with time. There are several types of fatal activity:

• Kussmaul's breathing is deep and noisy, typical of poisoning with toxins, hypoxia, diabetic and uremic coma;
• Apneistic - prolonged inhalation and short exhalation, typical for brain injuries, severe toxic effects;
• Gaspping-breath is a sign of deep hypoxia, hypercapnia, rare inhalations with a delay of breathing in 10-20 seconds before exhalation (it is common in serious pathological conditions).

It is worth noting that with a successful resuscitation of the patient it is possible to restore the respiratory function to the normal state.