Overa lifetime, you inhale dirt, dust, etc, where does it go in your lungs?

Question

Do your lungs just fill up?, does the body absorb it?, what happens?

Answer 1

Hi,

Hope You and Family are fine.


The Respiratory System
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The pulmonary and circulatory systems are designed to
provide the body with a continuous supply of oxygen and a
quick removal of carbon dioxide. The pulmonary system
controls the exchange of gases between the atmosphere and
the blood, while the circulatory system transports these gases
between the lungs and the cells. A dysfunction in either
system disrupts homeostasis, causing anoxia (an inadequate
level of oxygen) and even cell death.

The organs used in the exchange of gases between the
atmosphere and the blood are the nose, pharynx, larynx,
trachea, bronchi, and lungs. The trachea branches into
primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, bronchioles, terminal
bronchioles and finally the alveolar sacs which are the
functional units of the lungs (see diagram). Ventilation is the
movement of air between the atmosphere and the alveoli.
Diffusion is the process by which oxygen and carbon dioxide
cross the alveolar capillary membrane, and perfusion is the
injection of blood into an artery that supplies blood to an
organ or tissues. Lung problems go hand - in - hand with the
progressive feeding problems that develop in most children
with neurodegenerative diseases. As these children begin to
have difficulty swallowing, their gagging and coughing can
lead to "mini" or "major" aspirations (inhaling liquid into their
lungs). This can cause wheezing, which is a whistling sound
made by air going through a narrowed passageway. These
children develop increasing amounts of mucus in their lungs
resulting in congestion or can lead to pneumonia.

The lungs have a protective mucus lining that catches tiny
pieces of dirt, dust and other particles in the air we breathe.
These particles would irritate the lungs or cause infection if
they stayed in the lungs. Then the cilia (tiny hairs) act like an
escalator and carry the mucus up the windpipe to be coughed
out or swallowed. What color is mucus? Mucus can be
yellow, green, rust colored, brown, pink, or frothy white.

What does the cough sound like? It can be dry, barking,
hacking, or congested. When does he cough? Is it early
morning, late afternoon, or evening? If the lungs become
irritated or infected - a large amount of mucus is produced,
because the lungs are working extra hard to get rid of the
irritation or infection, and pneumonia likely develops


Upper respiratory tract problems include the following:
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1. obstruction of the airway - food or objects - know the
heimlich maneuver

2. colds - runny nose, head cold

3. pharyngitis - sore throat, may have fever, swollen throat

4. tonsilitis - local infection of the tonsils - redden, swollen,
fever, sore throat

5. sinusitis and otitis media - painful inflammatory conditions of the sinuses and the middle ear drainage may occur leading to bacterial infection (whole body infection) influenza - fever, achy, sore throat, headache, cough


Lower respiratory tract problems include the following:
*****************************************************************
1. laryngo - tracheo bronchitis - croup -often preceded by a
cold - fever, hoarseness,croaking, cough, stridor (blowing of the windpipe to blocked air passages), restlessness - often seen in small children.

2. acute bronchitis - inflammation of the bronchi, fever,cough, wheezing, and "noisy" chest

3. pneumonia and bronchopneumonia - fever, restlessness,
chills, pain in chest, thick mucus, difficulty breathing, may hear rales and wheezing or rhonchi ( rales you will hear on inspiration - usually extra fluid in the lungs, where wheezing or rhonchi you
will hear on expiration and more of a whistling or wheezing sound), may have "bluish" color to their lips - can be life threatening



Hope this can help.

Take care,

Warm Regards,

Tanvir.

Answer 2

Alot of it is exhaled as well. Whatever isn't the body will absorb or will be trapped in mucus that you will eventually cough up

Answer 3

Breath through your nose. That will trap most of the dirt and large particles. Next, blow your nose. You'll see the dirt and know where it is going-into your tissue and hopefully the nearest trash can.

That is, if you breath through your nose.

Answer 4

You cough up some of it and unfortunately some things stay there and may become a problem later.

Answer 5

yes anything you breathe goes to the lungs there isnt enough of it to really build up like ciggarrette smoke it can build up and take minutes off your life

Answer 6

Your body wraps it in mucous and coughs it up as phlem.