Vital lung capacity and methods of its determination

Each respiratory movement at rest is accompanied by the exchange of a relatively small volume of air - 500 ml. This volume of air is called respiratory. After the end of a quiet inhalation, a person can take another breath, and another 1,500 ml will enter the lungs - this is the so-called additional volume.

Similarly, after a simple exhalation, by exerting effort, a person can exhale in addition air in a volume of 1500 ml, which is called a reserve expiration.

Vital lung capacity, spirometer

The total volume of the described values - respiratory air, supplementary and backup - amounts to an average of 3500 ml. The vital capacity of the lungs is the volume of air exhaled after a strong inspiration and deep exhalation. Measure it with a spirometer - a special device. The average lung capacity is 3000-5000 ml.

A spirometer is a device that helps to measure the capacity and evaluate lung ventilation, given the volume of exhaled exhalation after a deep inspiration. This device is best used in a sitting position, placing the device vertically.

The vital capacity of the lungs, as determined by the spirometer, is an indicator of restrictive diseases (eg, pulmonary fibrosis).

The device allows these diseases to be distinguished from the disorders that cause airway obstruction (with asthma, for example). The importance of this diagnosis is great, because the degree of development of diseases of this type is difficult to determine based on clinical symptoms.

The process of breathing

With quiet breathing (inspiration) of 500 ml of inhaled air, up to pulmonary alveoli does not exceed 360 ml, while the rest is retained in the respiratory tract. Under the influence of work in the body, there is an intensification of oxidative processes, and the amount of air is insufficient, that is, there is a growing need for oxygen consumption and the release of carbon dioxide. The vital capacity of the lungs should be increased in these conditions. The body for normal pulmonary ventilation should increase the respiratory rate and the volume of inhaled air. With a sharp increase in respiration, it becomes superficial, and only a small part of the air reaches the pulmonary alveoli. Deep breathing improves pulmonary ventilation, and a proper exchange of gases occurs.

Prevention of lung diseases

Sufficient vital capacity of the lungs is a very important factor that helps maintain the health and good working capacity of a person. Correctly developed thorax to a certain extent provides normal breathing, so morning gymnastics, sports, physical education are very important. They contribute to the harmonious physical development of the body and the chest, including.

The vital capacity of the lungs depends on the purity of the surrounding air. Positively, the body is affected by 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, inhaling dust and contaminated particles.

Wellness activities include landscaping of cities and residential areas, asphalting and watering of streets, the installation of smoke detectors on the exhaust pipes of enterprises, ventilation absorbing devices in homes.