Enrichment work on the lungs - Worksheet with questions and activities for Gr 4-5

We have spoken about the respiratory system before.  The built and function of your lungs. Today we will do some enrichment work on this topic and also look at an illness of the lungs called asthma.

It is very important for us to exercise.  Not only does it keep us fit and healthy and keep our muscles strong, but you also give your lungs 'exercise' and more oxygen reaches your blood, which in turn goes to all the cells in your body and keeps you healthy and your organs working well.  Exercise has a great effect on the respiratory system.

• Name any 5 organs in your body that can benefit from getting more blood that is rich in oxygen
• What is your 'respiratory system'?

If you exercise, you will start breathing in deeper, which mean you will get more oxygen.  It will also allow you to breathe out more air, which is carbon dioxide if you have inhaled deeply.  The exercise will also strengthen your muscles and diaphragm, which plays a huse role during breathing.

Breathing process step by step

When you breathe in, or inhale, your diaphragm contracts (tightens) and moves downward. This increases the space in your chest cavity, into which your lungs expand. The intercostal muscles between your ribs also help enlarge the chest cavity. They contract to pull your rib cage both upward and outward when you inhale.

If you cannot remember what happens when you breathe in and out, read the extra information on the link https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/how-lungs-work

Some people have difficulty breathing and one illness of the lungs are Asthma.

The lungs have small pipes which is called 'bronchiole' which carries the oxygen and carbon dioxide in an out of the lungs.  If you suffer from asthma, these little pipes can become too narrow due to inflammation or something that irritates it and then it produces too much mucus and you can not breathe properly.

                                      

image source

 An asthma attack can be triggered by exposure to an allergen, such as tree, grass or weed pollen, dust mites, cockroaches or animal dander. Other common triggers are irritants in the air, such as smoke or chemical fumes, and strong odors, such as perfume. 

If you suffer from asthma, you need to make sure what triggers your attacks and then try and stay away from it.

This can be a very terrifying experience, but luckily people who tend to get asthma attacks, will carry a special 'pump' with them, which is called an 'inhaler' with special medicine in, which will relieve the inflammation and help the person breathe better again.  

If a person knows that they are prone to asthma, they must always carry their inhaler with them.  If they use it correctly it will force the medicine directly into their lungs and it will help to relax the muscles around the airways and in that way the bronchiole will open up and make it easier to breathe.

Most people know before the time that they will get an asthma attack since their chest will start 'wheezing' and will feel very tight and they will have difficulty breathing.

• Do you have asthma or do you know somebody that does?
• Have you ever had an asthma attack or seen it happen to somebody?
• Explain in your own words what happened and how you felt.  If you do not know somebody that can share their experience with you, watch the video and then say how do you think you will feel if this happens to you

Sometimes if you are prone to asthma, the doctor will test your lung volume - this is to determine how much oxygen you can take in in one inhalation.  Some people that have other illnesses in their lungs, like pneumonia will also be tested and exercise their lungs every day to make it stronger.

Asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.

Infections, such as influenza and pneumonia.

Lung cancer.

• These are examples of illnesses that you can get in your lungs.  Choose one and find extra information on it - what are the causes and cures etc.
• You can measure your own lung volume by doing the experiment explained in the video.

Smoking is very harmful to your lungs and it can also be a great cause of some lung diseases. We have spoken about the damaging chemicals that cigarettes contain and the effect it has on the lungs.  If you cannot remember this your can read it again on https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@anneke/the-gory-truth-about-cigarettes-some-quick-facts-for-kids

It is very important that we look after ourselves and part of that is keeping our lungs healthy enough to breath in deeply to get enough oxygen into our bodies.

Without oxygen, we will not be able to survive...

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