Each respiratory movement at rest is accompanied by the exchange of a relatively small volume of air - 500 ml. Such a volume of air is called respiratory. After a calm breath is completed, a person can take another breath, and another 1,500 ml will get into the lungs - this is the so-called additional volume.
Similarly, after a simple exhalation, by exerting efforts, a person can exhale additional air in a volume of 1,500 ml, which is called a reserve exhalation.
Vital lung capacity, spirometer
The total volume of the described values - respiratory air, additional and reserve - in the sum is equal to an average of 3500 ml. The vital capacity of the lungs is the volume of air exhaled after an intensified inhalation and deep exhalation. You can measure it with a spirometer - a special device. The lung capacity on average is 3000-5000 ml.
A spirometer is a device that helps to measure capacity and assess lung ventilation, given the volume of enhanced expiration after a deep breath. This device is best used in a seated position, placing the device itself vertically.
The lung capacity determined by the spirometer is an indicator of restrictive diseases (e.g. lung fibrosis).
The device allows these diseases to be distinguished from disorders that cause airway obstruction (for example, asthma). The importance of this diagnosis is great, because the degree of development of diseases of this type is difficult to determine on the basis of clinical symptoms.
Breathing process
With calm breathing (inhalation) from 500 ml of inhaled air to the pulmonary alveoli reaches no more than 360 ml, the rest is retained in the airways. Under the influence of work in the body, oxidative processes intensify, and the amount of air is insufficient, that is, the need for oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production increases. The vital capacity of the lungs should be increased under these conditions. The body for normal pulmonary ventilation should increase the respiratory rate and the amount of inhaled air. With a sharp increase in breathing, it becomes superficial, and only a small part of the air reaches the pulmonary alveoli. Deep breathing improves pulmonary ventilation, and proper gas exchange occurs.
Lung disease prevention
Adequate lung capacity is a very important factor that contributes to maintaining the health and good performance of a person. A well-developed chest to a certain extent ensures normal breathing, therefore morning gymnastics, sports, physical education are very important. They contribute to the harmonious physical development of the body and chest, including.
The vital capacity of the lungs depends on the cleanliness of the surrounding air. A positive effect on the body is fresh air. On the contrary, air in stuffy enclosed spaces saturated with water vapor and carbon dioxide has a negative effect on the breathing process. The same can be said about smoking, inhalation of dust and contaminated particles.
Wellness measures include landscaping of cities and residential areas, asphalting and watering streets, installation of smoke traps on the exhaust pipes of enterprises, and ventilation absorbing devices in homes.