How Does Breathing Exercises Help the Lungs?
Introduction While humans can go weeks without food, or days without water, they can only go a few minutes without air. Breathing is an automatic and involuntary function, but when a person has lung disease like asthma or emphysema, breathing becomes more difficult. Breathing exercises are a way to help people breathe easier. How the Lungs Work The lungs are a major organ in the respiratory system. The two lungs are in the center of the chest on either side of the heart. The diaphragm is a large, muscular organ below the lungs that begins the breathing process. The contraction of the diaphragm forces air out. As you breathe or inhale, the lungs take in oxygen from the air. The oxygen is necessary for the vital functions of the body. The oxygen enters the bloodstream where it is carried to all parts of the body–organs, tissues and muscles. As a person breaths out, or exhales, carbon dioxide is released into the air. Carbon dioxide is created in the body as a by-product of various metab
