what could lead to someone’s lungs collapsing and causing death where he had no prior respiratory disease?
November 21st, 2009 | by admin |
A lung has the natural tendency to collasp (i.e exhale)
The atmospheric pressure outside that we inhale keeps the lung inflated like a balloon
The muscous lining of the lungs w/in our chest cavity keeps the pressure lower than the atmosphere, so air will want to enter the lungs
but when this is disrupted (ex: injury, stabbings that puncture the lining, diseases – not necessarily respiratory, that change the make up of the lining) the atmospheric pressure can no longer "blow up" our lungs; therefore, the lungs will deflate like a leaky balloon
Death occurs since an insuffient amount of oxygen is inspired and not enough carbon dioxide is expired
5 Responses to “what could lead to someone’s lungs collapsing and causing death where he had no prior respiratory disease?”
By starrwoode on Nov 21, 2009 | Reply
injury? i suppose it can happen just from nothing, look it up on line on medical sites.
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By fightintxaggie98 on Nov 21, 2009 | Reply
There are cases of people’s lungs collapsing for no reason. It seems especially prevalent in young, healthy, thin, white men.
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By protos2222222 on Nov 21, 2009 | Reply
Beer. Lots of beer.
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By BrokeassMedStudent on Nov 21, 2009 | Reply
A lung has the natural tendency to collasp (i.e exhale)
The atmospheric pressure outside that we inhale keeps the lung inflated like a balloon
The muscous lining of the lungs w/in our chest cavity keeps the pressure lower than the atmosphere, so air will want to enter the lungs
but when this is disrupted (ex: injury, stabbings that puncture the lining, diseases – not necessarily respiratory, that change the make up of the lining) the atmospheric pressure can no longer "blow up" our lungs; therefore, the lungs will deflate like a leaky balloon
Death occurs since an insuffient amount of oxygen is inspired and not enough carbon dioxide is expired
References :
By rosesbloom7 on Nov 21, 2009 | Reply
My brother was sick last May with a cough from smoking and or chest cold. The doctor told him his lung could collapse without warning, and he should stop smoking. He cut back and took antibiotics for 10 days.
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