What does corona do to your lungs?
Viruses can easily bind to cells in your lungs. This also
applies to the corona virus. This virus enters through the lung tissue. As soon
as your body senses that a virus has entered, your immune system becomes active
to clear the pathogen. Because we have not come into contact with the corona
virus before, the body needs time to make the right substances for it. During
that time, the virus can continue to multiply and spread. The immune system can
also overshoot and work too hard, causing damage. Because the coronavirus
enters the body through the lungs, the lung tissue can be (permanently) damaged
in this way.
What happens in your body when you become infected with the
corona virus? What are the first complaints? And in how many people does the
infection develop into pneumonia? Watch this video for answers from lung
specialist Gert-Jan Braunstahl:
Pneumonia
When you inhale, air travels through the trachea and the
small branches of the lungs to the alveoli. There the body absorbs the oxygen
from the air. In pneumonia, the small branches of the lungs and alveoli deep in
your lungs are inflamed. The cause is usually a bacteria, but it can also be a
virus or both. Pneumonia can be mild or severe, but you often have trouble
breathing. You can suddenly become very short of breath and that can be very
scary.
Pneumonia due to the coronavirus
There is a difference between pneumonia caused by the
coronavirus and 'normal' pneumonia. Pneumonia caused by bacteria can often be
treated with antibiotics. There is currently no specific medicine for lung
complaints caused by the coronavirus. Do you suspect you have the coronavirus?
Then contact your doctor or general practitioner.
Lung patient and corona
Research shows that people with COPD and asthma are no
longer at risk of getting corona. Also for other lung diseases it has not been
shown that the risk of infection is increased. It is well known that people
with COPD who get corona often have to deal with a more serious course and it
is expected that this also applies to other lung diseases. For more
information, watch the webinar by lung specialist Frits Franssen about
"the consequences of corona for people with lung disease".
Lung function
Your lungs are critical to life. With the lung function of
these two organs you get oxygen from the air. The body needs this oxygen for
all kinds of processes. The main process is the beating of your heart and
pumping blood. When this process comes to a standstill, because you can no
longer extract oxygen from the air, you stop living. So you cannot do without
oxygen and therefore not without your lungs and lung function.
The lung function
Your lungs function through your breath. You breathe in air
and the lungs filter out the oxygen. On average there is about 21% oxygen in
the air. Oxygen is transported through the bloodstream so that all of your
organs receive the necessary portion of oxygen to function. During the breathing
and filtering process of your lungs, instead of the oxygen, you exhale carbon
dioxide, or carbon dioxide. This substance is also known as CO2.
Your lungs provide your body with oxygen. The air and oxygen
must not be sent directly into the bloodstream, because then the blood clots.
That is why lungs have a lot of tiny alveoli, in which the oxygen ends up.
There are all kinds of small blood vessels around the alveoli. These vessels
contain oxygen-poor blood. The oxygen can travel from the alveoli, through a
very thin cell layer, to the blood vessels. The blood vessels then ensure that
the oxygen is transported further.
Lung diseases
In lung diseases, the lungs no longer function properly. The
alveoli may be partially or completely damaged. Examples of lung diseases are
COPD and emphysema. Due to the damaged alveoli, a patient cannot get enough
oxygen from the air properly or not enough. Lung diseases cause shortness of
breath, fatigue and dizziness, but above all can seriously threaten your life.
After all, your organs and the rest of your body need oxygen to function.
Lung function test
Lung function can be tested. Various matters are looked at
in such research. How quickly someone inhales and exhales, how well someone
gets oxygen from the air and how much air the lungs can "take in" and
filter.
Breathing exercises to increase lung capacity
Overview
Your lung capacity is the total amount of air your lungs can
hold. Over time, our lung capacity and lung function typically slowly decline
as we age past our mid-20s. Some conditions such as chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) can significantly accelerate this reduction in lung
capacity and function. This leads to difficulty in breathing and shortness of
breath.
Fortunately, there are exercises that can help maintain and
increase lung capacity, making it easier to keep your lungs healthy and your body
getting the oxygen it needs.
1. Diaphragmatic breathing
Diaphragmatic breathing, or? Abdominal breathing? engages
the diaphragm, which is supposed to do most of the heavy lifting when it comes
to breathing. This is especially helpful in people with COPD, as the diaphragm
is not as effective in these individuals and can be strengthened. It is best
used when you are feeling rested. If you have COPD, ask your doctor or
ventilator to show you how to use this exercise for best results.
According to the COPD Foundation, you should do the
following to practice diaphragmatic breathing:
-Relax your shoulders and sit back or lie down.
-Place one hand on your stomach and one on your chest.
-Breathe in through your nose for two seconds, feel the air
move in your abdomen, and feel your stomach move out. Your stomach needs to
move more than your chest.
-Exhale through pursed lips for two seconds while pressing on
your stomach.
-Repeat.
2. pursed lips breathe
Breathing from a suspicious lips can slow your breathing and
reduce breathing work by keeping your airways open longer. This makes it easier
for the lungs to function and improves the exchange of oxygen and carbon
dioxide. This breathing exercise is often easier for beginners than
diaphragmatic breathing, and you can do it at home even if no one has shown you
how. It can be practiced at any time.
To practice the technique of practicing with the lips:
-Slowly breathe through your nostrils.
-Pursue your lips as if you are pouting or about to blow
something up.
-Exhale through pursed lips as slowly as possible. This
should take at least twice as long as it took to inhale.
-Repeat.
3. Rib stretch
This exercise is easy to use and can be done by anyone. It
works by keeping as much air in the lungs as possible for as long as it is
safely possible. This can help improve your lung function and capacity when
used at least once a day.
To use the rib stretch exercise to increase lung capacity:
-Stand upright with your back arched.
-Exhale all the oxygen from your lungs.
-Breathe in slowly, filling your lungs as much as possible.
-Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds.
-Exhale slowly.
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4. Numbered breaths
This breathing exercise can benefit anyone looking to
increase their lung capacity. Numbered breaths require you to breathe in and
out for an increasing number of beats.
To perform this exercise:
-Stand still and take a deep breath with your eyes closed.
-Force all air out of your lungs when you exhale.
-As you inhale again, imagine number 1.
-Hold your breath for a few seconds and then exhale.
-Inhale as you represent the number 2, and exhale after
holding your breath to the count of 3.
-Continue this exercise until you get to number 8.
Tips for keeping your lungs healthy
Prevention is the best medicine, and working to keep your
lungs healthy is much more efficient than repairing them after something goes
wrong. To keep your lungs healthy, do the following:
Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke or environmental
irritants.
Eat foods rich in antioxidants.
Receive vaccinations such as the flu vaccine and the
pneumonia vaccine. This can help prevent lung infections and promote lung
health.
Exercise more often, which can help keep your lungs working
properly.
Improve indoor air quality. Use tools such as indoor air
filters and reduce pollutants such as artificial fragrances, mold and dust.
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