5 interesting facts about the respiratory system

Breathing also causes dehydration, some people can hold their breath for more than 20 minutes, and lungs float on water—these are just some little-known facts about the respiratory system.

The human respiratory system includes the lungs, trachea, diaphragm, and alveoli, which exchange gases and sustain the life of the body's cells. Here are some things about the respiratory system that many people may not know.

Some people can hold their breath for more than 20 minutes.

Most people can only hold their breath for 1-2 minutes. Some world record-holding divers can hold their breath for longer than 24 minutes.

The amount of time a person can comfortably and safely hold their breath depends on their body and genetics. Inexperienced individuals should not attempt to hold their breath for longer than two minutes. Prolonged and repeated breath-holding can cause a sudden drop in blood oxygen levels, leading to health problems such as heart attacks.

Breathing out also causes water loss.

Breathing allows the body to take in necessary oxygen and expel CO2. When breathing, a person also exhales a significant amount of water; the amount of water exhaled while at rest is 17.5 ml per hour.

Coughing, sneezing, and yawning are natural respiratory mechanisms.

Coughing and sneezing help the lungs expel foreign substances that the body has inadvertently inhaled. Yawning helps the body breathe in more oxygen into the lungs. When tired and sleepy, yawning helps increase blood flow to the brain's blood vessels, leading to increased alertness.

Coughing and sneezing are natural reflexes that help the body expel foreign substances. (Image: Freepik)

The nose serves to filter, warm, and humidify the air.

Breathing through the nose has many health benefits because it filters out foreign substances. Nasal hairs filter out dust, allergens, and pollen, preventing them from entering the lungs. Breathing also helps to humidify the inhaled air. During breathing, the nose releases nitric oxide (NO) – a vasodilator that helps widen blood vessels. This can improve oxygen circulation in the body.

Breathing through the nose is beneficial because it allows the nasal cavities to increase airflow to arteries, veins, and nerves; increases absorption and circulation; and reduces the risk of allergies, coughs, etc.

Lungs floating on the water's surface

Each lung contains approximately 300 million alveoli, which expel CO2 and supply oxygen to the blood. When these alveoli are full of air, the lungs become the only organ in the human body that can float on water.

The left and right lungs are not exactly the same. The left lung is divided into two lobes, while the right lung is divided into three lobes. Because the heart is located to the left, the left lung is also smaller than the right.

Breathing with only one lung is not as efficient as breathing with two healthy lungs. However, some people live with only one lung, but they may experience many limitations such as difficulty with strenuous activity, respiratory obstruction, and chest wall collapse.

Le Nguyen (According to Live Science )

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