Every day, we consume 200 to 600 liters of oxygen (depending on our morphology) without making any particular effort, thanks to our lungs which ensure gas exchange between air and blood and participate in the distribution of oxygen in our whole organism. On inspiration, air composed of nitrogen, oxygen and a little carbon dioxide enters through the nose or/and the mouth, reaches the bronchi, bronchioles and, at their end, the alveoli.
On exhalation, the carbon dioxide, which the cells and then the hemoglobin have gotten rid of, goes the opposite way. Sometimes breathing becomes more difficult. This is the case when our lungs are infected, for example, when our oxygen needs are greater (during exercise or at altitude) or when our body is unable to provide the quantity of oxygen it needs or to evacuate the overflow of carbon dioxide.
What are the symptoms to watch out for?
The vast majority of respiratory system conditions result in shortness of breath and/or coughing and/or wheezing, or even sputum (sputum). “If these signs occur suddenly or persist for more than three weeks and in the event of difficulty breathing, it is important to consult to identify the cause. insists Pre Chantal Raherison-Semjen, pulmonologist.
Infection, allergy, asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)… Only the doctor can make a precise diagnosis after an interrogation, a clinical examination and various investigations to measure the breath and assess the respiratory capacity.
>> Test your breath online with the Fondation du souffle on Lesouffle.org/lungs-health/test-your-breath
How do we know if our lungs are sick?
If it is equipped with a peak flow meter (Peak Flow), the doctor can initially assess the air flow through the bronchi. He can also test his patient’s breath with a pocket spirometer, a small device that measures the flow and volume of exhaled air, then analyzes it according to the sex, height and age of the person. . These initial results must be supplemented by a respiratory functional exploration in a specialized laboratory and a series of tests: forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), plethysmography (cabin to measure all lung volumes and capacities), blood test to measure the level of oxygen and CO2 in the blood…
If necessary, the doctor will also prescribe a stress test which consists of recording respiratory function, blood pressure and cardiac activity during activity on a bicycle or treadmill, an electrocardiogram at rest, a chest X-ray, a scanner, etc
