What Happens to the Lung Structures During an Asthma Attack?
Lung Structure The respiratory system is made up of four main parts designed to deliver oxygen to the bloodstream: the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli. The design resembles that of a tree, where a trunk divides into branches, stems and then leaves. The trachea is the main path that takes in air. It delivers the air to the two bronchi, which are essentially two tubes, one for each lung. The bronchi are further divided into several bronchioles, which branch out into the alveoli. The alveoli are responsible for delivering oxygen from the air into the blood stream. Asthma Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the muscles of the lungs. Although many people’s lungs constrict as a response to allergens or foreign debris, an asthmatic’s lungs constrict even further. This results in great difficulty inhaling and exhaling. Furthermore, becauseair in an asthmatic’s lungs is not fresh, it has higher concentrations of carbon dioxide, making it more toxic to the body. During an Attack
