Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: BREATH (11/19/20)
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TITLE: The Distribution Center | Previous Challenge Entry
By John Custer
11/24/20 -
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This distribution center is called our Lungs. It receives a load of air, called a breath, about 12 to 20 times per minute and distributes the oxygen and water soluble gases of the breath, to the body before it gets the next load. I doubt that any other distribution center in the world has a turnover that fast.
The incoming breath is 78 percent nitrogen and 21 percent oxygen. The volume of the breaths per minute is 1.3 to 2.1 gallons.
The breath that enters the distribution center is received by 480 million alveoli, which are tiny air spaces. The alveoli contain capillaries that absorb the oxygen (O2), place it in arterioles that feed to larger arteries that carry the oxygen to all parts of the body. Those capillaries also absorb the CO2 from the returning blood via the veinous system and see that it is part of the outgoing breath.
The alveoli cover a surface area of over 1,076 square feet.
The outgoing breath contains 78 percent nitrogen, 16 percent oxygen, 0.09 percent argon, and four percent carbon dioxide (CO2).
This is a very brief tour of the Distribution Center (lungs). To go into more detail would involve explanations of alveolar sacs and ducts, mucus glands and linings, and connective tissue. Fascinating, isn’t it?
From a public relations standpoint, sometimes the distribution center sends out some stinky products. Halitosis is the proper name for stinky breath, but it is more commonly referred to as “bad breath.” Let’s talk a little about why it is stinky.
The food we eat, use of tobacco and alcoholic products, poor dental hygiene, health problems such as COVID-19, dental problems, dry mouth, oral infections or medications could all be causes of bad breath. Acid reflux not only leaves a bad smell in the mouth but also a bad taste.
Fortunately, most of those problems are correctible.
On a lighter note, it is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but an onion a day keeps everyone away. (I couldn’t resist that.)
Have you ever ordered something from a distribution center only to discover that their inventory is low? This distribution center has the same problem, called “shortness of breath,” (SOB) or dyspnea. This refers to a feeling of not being able to breathe well enough.
It could be caused by something as minor as exercise or nasal congestion. It could also be caused by something more serious like heart or lung disease. Anytime SOB is not for a short time, it should be evaluated by a doctor.
I would be amiss if I didn’t comment on one of the major benefits for working at this warehouse. There is a two-second rest period between each breathing cycle. You can do anything you want during that time.
Obviously, this is not an exhaustive paper on breath, but it should suffice to emphasize that we are a complicated being. It would take more faith than I have to believe that our bodies simply evolved to its present complexity. Keep in mind that the breath is only one aspect of our entire body which has many parts, systems, and functions.
It might behoove us to thank God for the breath that He has given to us, and to worship Him for making our bodies to function as they do.
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