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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life Emergency services, Feb. 21 Grace to assume school governance Two-house fire caused by towel left on stove On Track moms embark on food and garden project Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life Emergency services, Feb. 21 Two-house fire caused by towel left on stove Man charged with trying to lure children Two houses burning in east Medford Politics and Elections Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Education Grace to assume school governance AHS principal up for national award Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines A question of punishment Logos to receive a slice of Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park Environment Made in the Shade Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow Company fined for illegally dumping asbestos in White City State News Brown says she'll preserve Oregon death penalty moratorium Tentative deal reached in West Coast port labor dispute State Senate votes to dissolve Cover Oregon Psychic gets 8 years for con of timber heir Economists project 'kicker' rebates Nation - World Obituaries Evon "Bud" Pennington Charles H. Hackett Death Notices Robert Harvey Miller Leo Allen Zupan Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Surging Cavs rip Wizards Hot-shooting Knights knock off Raiders Local swimmers land spots in state finals North second entering SWC semifinals North slides by Sheldon Varsity 541 College Sports Hot-shooting Knights knock off Raiders Weisner keys OSU win over Colorado Utah hands OSU first home loss Beavers knock off No. 19 Cowboys Raiders to face No. 16 Knights, No. 11 Cavs Pro Sports Surging Cavs rip Wizards Trail Blazers stymied by Jazz's defense Goosen takes rare lead into the weekend Westbrook leads Thunder past Mavs Singler goes to Thunder in deadline deal Community Sports Business Latest Stories Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Learn about Oregon's local crowdfunding options Blog: Random Acts of Kindness Dockworkers dispute hits home Medford pharmacy sees steady growth Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul People In Business People in Business Transportation Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Matthew T. Mangino: Crime, intrigue and politics in Pennsylvania Voter bill secures a fundamental right Feb. 20: Letters to the editor 'Big' government is not so big after all Antionette Kerr: Let’s honor Anthony and the rights of all women Editorials Voter bill secures a fundamental right Our view: Will Brown reach out to rural Oregon? Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Our View: A sad end to a historic career Letters to the Editor Feb. 20: Letters to the editor Feb. 19: Letters to the editor Letters to the editor, Feb. 18 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 16 Columns 'Big' government is not so big after all Kent Bush: Mars One is more reality television than rocket launch Male staffers take lead in Clinton run Congress rightly should engage in war debate Islamic State's atrocities demand ... what? Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Lifestyle Latest stories 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional Anniversary: Hofer Trail to Charismatic Conifers The Rocks Speak: Earth's old wrinkles Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Food Tammy Kelly: Comfort food makes cold weather better Community blog: Citrus fruits shine in foods fresh and preserved Season Stepp: Cooking Chinese food should not intimidate you Page H. Onorato: Food items help define the South There's a whole universe of chili outside Texas Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way Dear Monty: Nine downsizing tips for seniors Carol Link: Prime time for pruning blueberries approaches Home Help: DIY home upkeep projects for every season Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Dr. Jeff Hersh: Breathe easy - all about lung function Health Watch: Health improvements you can make today that will pay off for a lifetime Runners’ Corner: Helpful winter running hints Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Third Fridays showcases local artists The music that made Paris famous Theater 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' Music Professor Gall plays Oberon's Tavern Live Music in Local Clubs The music that made Paris famous Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Dining Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Get Up & Go: Saturday, Feb. 21 ... Since You Asked: Natural gas pipeline along I-5 built in 1963 ... Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life ... Get Up & Go: Saturday, Feb. 21 ... Since You Asked: Natural gas pipeline along I-5 built in 1963 ... Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life ... Dr. Jeff Hersh: Breathe easy - all about lung function By Dr. Jeff Hersh More Content Now MailTribune.com By Dr. Jeff Hersh More Content Now Posted Feb. 20, 2015 @ 8:24 am By Dr. Jeff Hersh More Content Now Posted Feb. 20, 2015 @ 8:24 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Q: How do the lungs work? A: The lungs perform many functions, including making, activating and inactivating certain substances (including some hormones), helping defend the body from infection and enabling us to speak. But, the main roles the lungs play are delivering oxygen to and off-loading carbon dioxide from the blood. Having sufficient blood oxygen is crucial to adequately supply the body’s cells. Taking carbon dioxide out of the blood is critical to regulate its pH (acid-base balance) in order to ensure a healthy cell environment. When the diaphragm moves downward and the chest wall muscles expand, the volume of the chest increases. This draws air into the lungs in much the same was as a bellows sucks air in when the handles are pulled apart. As the diaphragm and chest wall muscles relax the elasticity of the lungs pulls the chest back to its resting state, pushing the air out in much the same way as the elasticity of a blown-up balloon pushes air out as it squeezes back to its uninflated state. Air pulled into the chest, as noted above, enters the body through the nose and/or mouth and then travels down the main breathing tube, the trachea. The trachea branches into the left and right main bronchi, and then branches further to smaller bronchi, to even smaller bronchioles and eventually to the 300 million or so alveoli, the small sacs of air, which are surrounded by small blood vessels (capillaries). Once air is in the alveoli the oxygen in it must make its way into the blood stream. This is accomplished by the partial pressure of oxygen in the air “pushing” oxygen to diffuse across the alveolar/capillary interface to dissolve into the blood. At the same time, carbon dioxide leaves the blood and enters the alveolar space where it can be pushed out during exhalation. The balance of the amount of blood flowing through the capillaries and the amount of air inside the alveoli must be carefully regulated throughout the lungs (called ventilation-perfusion matching). If there is not enough blood flow the under-perfused alveoli are wasted space (called dead space). If there is insufficient air for the amount of blood that perfuses an area of the lung, the blood will not be sufficiently oxygenated and hence the overall blood exiting the lungs may have too low an oxygen supply to fulfill the cell’s needs. Oxygen does not dissolve well in water (the liquid part of blood is mostly water), so the amount of oxygen blood can carry in solution is very limited. Red blood cells (RBCs) bind oxygen, allowing the blood to carry much more oxygen in order to supply the body’s needs. In fact, about 98 percent of the oxygen in blood is bound to RBCs. Many diseases can cause an imbalance in the ventilation-perfusion match of the lungs. Diseases that prevent normal air filling of the alveoli include those that cause excessive air flow resistance in the airways (such as asthma or emphysema), those that “clog up” the alveoli (such as congestive heart failure which can cause fluid to build up in the alveoli or pneumonia which can cause infection and inflammation within the alveoli), as well as many other conditions. Diseases that prevent sufficient blood supply to the alveoli include blockage of the pulmonary arteries (such as pulmonary emboli) and many other conditions. Some diseases compromise the lungs in other ways, such as a collapsed lung. Many conditions can also affect the ability of oxygen to bind to RBCs. Even if the ventilation and perfusion of the lungs are normal, this may limit the amount of oxygen available to supply the body’s needs. Without proper lung function the body’s cells may not get sufficient oxygen and/or may not have an ideal environment to function. Taking good care of your lungs is important to a long and healthy life. So do not start smoking, and if you do smoke, work hard to quit. Regular exercise and a well-balanced, healthy diet are also key to keeping your lungs functioning normally. Jeff Hersh, Ph.D., M.D., can be reached at [email protected]. By Dr. Jeff Hersh More Content Now MailTribune.com By Dr. Jeff Hersh More Content Now Posted Feb. 20, 2015 @ 8:24 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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