Chapter 16 Blog

The human respiratory system is a series of organs responsible for taking in oxygen
and expelling carbon dioxide. The primary organs of this vital system is the lungs.
The lungs carry out the exchange of gases as we breathe (Live).
Red blood cells collect the oxygen from the lungs and go through the blood stream
to carry that oxygen around the body where it is needed. The red blood cells collect
the carbon dioxide when they drop off the oxygen and transport it back to the
lungs to be exhaled from the body (newworld).
A decrease in oxygen caused by lacking lungs is also called hypoxia, where as a
complete lack of oxygen is known as anoxia. After 4 minutes without oxygen, brain
cells begin dying which is ultimately fatal (Live).
The death of these brain cells interrupts the brains electrochemical impulses and
interferes with the performance of neurotransmitters which transmit messages
within the brain (brainandspinalcord). The neurotransmitters regulate body
functions and influence behavior.
There are four types of anoxia, but each are as serious as one another.
1- Anemic anoxia- This form of anoxia results from blood that cannot carry
sufficient oxygen to the brain. Some forms of lung disease can lead to
insufficiently oxygenated blood, since the lungs are not processing oxygen
sufficiently. While the blood flow to the brain is still adequate, the brain will
not receive enough oxygen to perform vital functions. This can lead to slow
deterioration of the patients overall condition. Chronic anemia, acute
hemorrhage, and carbon monoxide poisoning can cause anemic anoxia.
2- This form of anoxia is caused by toxins in the system that prevent the bloods
oxygen from being used efficiently. For example, carbon monoxide poisoning
can cause toxic anoxia.
3- This condition is also called hypoxicischemic injury (HII). In HII, an internal
condition blocks sufficient oxygen-rich blood from reaching the brain. Strokes,
cardiac arrhythmia, and cardiac arrest can cause HII.
4- This condition is caused when there is not enough oxygen in the air for the
body to benefit with it. It can occur at high altitudes.

There are several common causes of Anoxia, and just a few are drowning, heart
attacks, brain tumors, poisoning, choking, suffocation, etc.
Anoxia is a serious issue that can occur anywhere and everywhere and its
important to understand the dangers of it and how serious the issue can
become.
A popular suicide method takes advantage of this. One is hanging which cuts
against the trachea of the victim and prevents them from breathing.

http://www.livescience.com/226
16-respiratory-system.html

http://www.passenlaw.
com/tag/anoxia/

http://sciencenotes.org/oxygen-facts/

Works Cited
Notes
"Anoxic Brain Injury." BrainAndSpinalCord.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2016.
"New Worlds." New Worlds. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2016.
Zimmermann, By Kim Ann. "Respiratory System: Facts, Function and Diseases." LiveScience. TechMedia
Network, 11 Mar. 2016. Web. 04 May 2016.