The influence of carbon dioxide on humans. Breath and carbon dioxide
Back in the last century, various studies were carried out on the effect of CO 2 on the human body. In the 60s, scientist O.V. Eliseeva, in her dissertation, provided a detailed study of how carbon dioxide in concentrations of 0.1% (1000 ppm) to 0.5% (5000 ppm) affects the human body and came to the conclusion that short-term inhalation of carbon dioxide in these concentrations by healthy people causes distinct changes in the function of external respiration, blood circulation and significant deterioration in the electrical activity of the brain. According to its recommendations, the CO 2 content in the air of residential and public buildings should not exceed 0.1% (1000 ppm), and the average CO 2 content should be about 0.05% (500 ppm).
Experts know that there is a direct connection between CO 2 concentration and the feeling of stuffiness. This sensation occurs in a healthy person already at the level of 0.08% (i.e. 800 ppm). Although in modern offices it is very often 2000 ppm or more. And a person may not feel the dangerous effects of CO 2. When we are talking about a sick person, the threshold of his sensitivity increases even more.
The dependence of physiological manifestations on the CO2 content in the air is shown in the table:
CO 2 level, ppm | Physiological manifestations in humans |
Atmospheric air 380-400 | Ideal for health and well-being. |
400-600 | Normal amount. Recommended for children's rooms, bedrooms, office spaces, schools and kindergartens. |
600-1000 | There are complaints about air quality. People with asthma may have more frequent attacks. |
Above 1000 | General discomfort, weakness, headache, concentration drops by a third, and the number of errors in work increases. It can lead to negative changes in the blood, and problems with the respiratory and circulatory systems may also appear. |
Above 2000 | The number of errors at work increases greatly; 70% of employees cannot concentrate on work. |
The main changes when inhaling elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide (hypercapnia) occur in the central nervous system, and they are phasic in nature: first, an increase and then a decrease in the excitability of nerve formations. Deterioration of conditioned reflex activity is observed at concentrations close to 2% - the excitability of the respiratory center of the brain decreases, the ventilatory function of the lungs decreases, the homeostasis (balance of the internal environment) of the body is disrupted by either damaging cells or by irritating receptors with an inadequate level of a certain substance. And when the carbon dioxide content is up to 5%, there is a significant decrease in the amplitude of evoked potentials of the brain, desynchronization of the rhythms of the spontaneous electroencephalogram with further inhibition of the electrical activity of the brain.
What exactly happens when the concentration of CO 2 in the air that enters the body increases? The partial pressure of CO 2 in the alveoli increases, its solubility in the blood increases, and weak carbonic acid is formed (CO 2 + H 2 O = H 2 CO 3), which, in turn, decomposes into H + and HCCO3-. The blood becomes acidic, which is scientifically called gas acidosis. The higher the concentration of CO 2 in the air we breathe, the lower the pH of the blood and the more acidic it is.
When acidosis begins, the body first defends itself by increasing the concentration of bicarbonate in the blood plasma, as evidenced by numerous biochemical studies. To compensate for acidosis, the kidneys intensively secrete H+ and retain HCSO 3 -. Then other buffer systems and secondary biochemical reactions of the body are turned on. Since weak acids, including carbonic acid (H 2 CO 3), can form slightly soluble compounds (CaCO 3) with metal ions, they are deposited in the form of stones, primarily in the kidneys.
Carl Schafer, a member of the US Navy's medical research laboratory, studied the effects of different concentrations of carbon dioxide on guinea pigs. The rodents were kept on 0.5% CO 2 for eight weeks (oxygen was normal at 21%), after which they showed significant kidney calcification. It was observed even after prolonged exposure of guinea pigs to lower concentrations - 0.3% CO 2 (3000 ppm). But that is not all. Shafer and his colleagues found bone demineralization in pigs after eight weeks of exposure to 1% CO 2 , as well as structural changes in the lungs. Researchers regarded these diseases as an adaptation of the body to chronic exposure to elevated CO 2 levels.
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A distinctive feature of long-term hypercapnia (increased CO 2 ) is its long-term negative consequences. Despite the normalization of atmospheric respiration, changes in the biochemical composition of the blood, a decrease in immunological status, and resistance to physical stress and other external influences have been observed in the human body for a long time.
Conclusion - in order to avoid negative consequences, the content of carbon dioxide in the inhaled air must be monitored. A modern and reliable device is perfect for this purpose.
Only about 0.04% carbon dioxide is found in the air. It mainly enters the air through the decomposition of plant and animal tissues, as well as during the combustion of coal and wood.
Plants can regulate the content of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of our planet. Under the influence of water and sunlight, carbon dioxide in plant cells is converted into starch, as well as many other nutrients. Plants also need to breathe to live. Therefore they absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide. But during the process of starch formation, they release much more oxygen than they absorb when they breathe. But during the formation of starch, the plant world absorbs much more carbon dioxide than it exhales.
Hence, we need to protect forests and the entire flora on our planet, because they maintain a constant content of carbon dioxide and oxygen in nature.
The benefits and harms of carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is very useful for humans, it is involved in the supply of oxygen to tissues and regulation human breathing processes.
CO2 greatly influences the climate. Metabolism is also impossible without it. This is an indispensable component for everyone's favorite carbonated drinks.
In turn, it can cause harm. Oversaturation of the body with carbon dioxide causes enormous harm to humans and can cause death.
The atmosphere around us contains many gases. The main percentage is nitrogen (78.08%). This is followed by oxygen (20.95%), argon (0.93%), water vapor (0.5-4%) and carbon dioxide (0.034%). The air also contains hydrogen, helium and other noble gases in small quantities. The concentration of the majority of gases in the atmosphere remains virtually constant. The exceptions are water and carbon dioxide (CO 2), the percentage of which can vary greatly depending on environmental conditions.
The main source of carbon dioxide indoors is humans. In any place where people are - school classrooms and kindergartens, offices and meeting rooms, fitness centers and swimming pools - there is always the possibility of excess carbon dioxide due to people's breathing.
Far from cities, in nature, CO 2 level in air is about 0.035%. In this case, the person feels comfortable. But within the city, especially in crowded transport or enclosed spaces, carbon dioxide can significantly exceed the norm. Scientists have proven that in a percentage of 0.1-0.2% carbon dioxide becomes toxic to humans. Symptoms such as headache or weakness occur from excess carbon dioxide.
Studies of the effect of CO 2 on people's well-being have shown that at high concentrations of this gas in the air, a significant decrease in attention is manifested and chronic fatigue occurs. Moreover, carbon dioxide causes increased morbidity in people. The nasopharynx and respiratory tract are primarily affected, and the number of asthmatic attacks increases. With prolonged exposure to carbon dioxide on the human body, biochemical changes begin to occur in the blood, which leads to hypertension, weakening of the cardiovascular system, etc.
Carbon dioxide needs to be controlled not only in schools, kindergartens and offices, but also in apartments, and especially in bedrooms. Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the apartment can lead to headaches and insomnia.
To normalize carbon dioxide in the air, premises must be equipped with ventilation systems and regularly ventilated. If its concentration often exceeds the norm, air purifiers are additionally installed in the premises.
For plants, the situation is exactly the opposite. First of all, for them, carbon dioxide is a source of carbon for the process of photosynthesis. Numerous experiments have shown that when the air is enriched with carbon dioxide, not only does plant productivity increase and their growth accelerates, but also resistance to various diseases increases. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the air that enters greenhouses from the street turns out to be too low for plants, especially on sunny days, when the process of photosynthesis occurs with greater intensity. Therefore, in greenhouses, people organize special fertilizing with carbon dioxide to improve plant growth and increase yields.
Mushrooms are very sensitive to carbon dioxide. For example, to obtain honey mushrooms with very small caps and long legs, increase the level of carbon dioxide. This unusual shape of these mushrooms simplifies the process of collecting them. Champignon treats carbon dioxide differently at different stages of growth. During the vegetative growth phase, this fungus normally tolerates high concentrations of CO2. But during the period of fruit formation and fruiting, it is necessary to lower the level of carbon dioxide in the room through intensive ventilation and regular supply of fresh air. High carbon dioxide content during this period deteriorates the quality of fruiting bodies and negatively affects their growth.
Not all cases are listed above when CO 2 level measurement is necessary. This led to the appearance of a device called. Depending on the application, gas analyzers have different shapes (portable or stationary), functions (determining the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, leak detection, etc.) and operating principles (mass spectrometry, photoacoustic analysis, and many others).
The operating principle of most stationary carbon dioxide analyzers installed in air control rooms is based on infrared (IR) optical analysis. This method became widely used after the invention of miniature sensors. Carbon dioxide molecules tend to absorb radiation with a wavelength of 4.255 microns (which corresponds to the infrared range). The higher the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air, the lower the amplitude of the transmitted infrared radiation. Carbon dioxide sensor inside the gas analyzer converts the radiation intensity into electric current and the result is displayed on the screen. The radiation source is located inside the device itself. Typically this is an LED or solid state laser.
Often CO 2 gas analyzers are equipped with an audible alarm that notifies about changes in the level of carbon dioxide in the air and allows you to take the necessary measures in time.
The versatility of carbon dioxide analyzers allows them to be easily used in various areas of human activity - at work and at home, in classrooms and gyms, in greenhouses or mushroom farms, at gas stations, in industry and production. They are easy to use and provide constant control of carbon dioxide where you need it.
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Interest in breathing has led to the emergence of a huge number of currents and breathing regulators: from the “control” of the acid-base balance, oriental breathing systems, many plastic devices into which people breathe and seek their happiness in them. Unfortunately, most of these movements are charlatan, although they contain rational grains. This article is the beginning of a series about carbon dioxide.
We are accustomed to the fact that the carbon dioxide we exhale is a substance unnecessary for the human and animal body, which has a negative effect and only harms the body. Actually this is not true. Carbon dioxide is a powerful regulator. But both its excess and its deficiency are harmful to our health. Unfortunately, this is almost never noticed, which leads to the development of diseases and pathological conditions. Meanwhile, the reasons lie on the surface!
There are two main carbon dioxide problems in relatively healthy people. Let me remind you that we will not talk about diseases!
1. Increased level of carbonic acid in the blood.
2. Decrease in the level of carbonic acid in the blood.
This condition is called hypocapnia and most often occurs when breathing excessively fast (hyperventilation). This leads to the development of gas (respiratory) alkalosis - a violation of the regulation of acid-base balance. It occurs as a result of hyperventilation of the lungs, leading to excessive removal of CO 2 from the body and a drop in the partial tension of carbon dioxide in the arterial blood below 35 mm Hg. Art., that is, to hypocapnia.
I would like to point out that hyperventilation is part of the stress response. Remember how often an athlete breathes before a race! And it will really help his muscles! Hyperventilation is initially adaptive in nature, representing an evolutionarily developed “starting” reaction in response to stress, oriented toward physical action.
Thus, in a primitive population, a person, in direct confrontation with nature, was subjected to powerful physical and biological influences and was not protected by anything other than the natural forces of the body, ensuring readiness for physical activity of varying intensity (defense, aggression, running from danger). For this purpose, hyperventilation was developed and consolidated in an evolutionary way, the main mechanisms of which are aimed at ensuring strong muscle tension!
Indeed, hypocapnia redistributes blood flow, directing blood to the muscles by reducing blood flow in the heart, brain, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidneys. Alkalosis and sympathadrenergy (increased adrenaline levels!) lead to an increase in intracellular ionized Ca++ - the main natural activator of the contractile properties of muscle cells. Thus, hyperventilation makes the motor response to stress faster, more intense and more perfect.
Hyperventilation induced by situational stress in a healthy person stops with the end of stress.
But with prolonged psycho-emotional stress, a number of people experience dysregulation of breathing, and a hyperventilation breathing pattern can become entrenched, giving rise to the phenomenon of chronic neurogenic hyperventilation. Excessive breathing in such cases becomes a stable feature of the patient, perpetuating hyperventilation disorders of homeostasis - hypocapnia and alkalosis, which can naturally develop into somatic diseases. We'll talk about this later.
In the meantime, for starters, the role of carbon dioxide in the body:
1. Carbon dioxide is one of the most important mediators in the regulation of blood flow. It is a powerful vasodilator (dilation of blood vessels). Accordingly, if the level of carbon dioxide in tissue or blood increases (for example, due to intense metabolism - caused by, say, exercise, inflammation, tissue damage, or due to obstruction of blood flow, tissue ischemia), then the capillaries dilate, which leads to increased blood flow and accordingly, to increase the delivery of oxygen to the tissues and the transport of accumulated carbon dioxide from the tissues. When CO2 decreases by 1 mm Hg. in the blood there is a decrease in cerebral blood flow by 3-4%, and cardiac blood flow by 0.6-2.4%. When CO2 decreases to 20 mm Hg. in the blood (half the official norm), blood supply to the brain is reduced by 40% compared to normal conditions.
2. Strengthens muscle contraction (heart and muscles). Carbon dioxide in certain concentrations (increased, but not yet reaching toxic values) has a positive inotropic and chronotropic effect on the myocardium and increases its sensitivity to adrenaline, which leads to an increase in the strength and frequency of heart contractions, the magnitude of cardiac output and, as a consequence, stroke and minute blood volume. This also helps to correct tissue hypoxia and hypercapnia (increased carbon dioxide levels).
3. Affects oxygen. The supply of oxygen to tissues depends on the carbon dioxide content in the blood (Verigo-Bohr effect). Hemoglobin accepts and releases oxygen depending on the oxygen and carbon dioxide content in the blood plasma. With a decrease in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the alveolar air and blood, the affinity of oxygen for hemoglobin increases, which complicates the transition of oxygen from capillaries to tissues.
4. Maintains acid-base balance. Bicarbonate ions are very important for regulating blood pH and maintaining normal acid-base balance. Respiration rate affects the carbon dioxide content in the blood. Weak or slow breathing causes respiratory acidosis, while rapid and excessively deep breathing leads to hyperventilation and the development of respiratory alkalosis.
5. Participates in the regulation of breathing. Although our body requires oxygen for metabolism, low oxygen levels in the blood or tissues usually do not stimulate breathing (or rather, the stimulating effect of low oxygen on breathing is too weak and “turns on” late, at very low levels of oxygen in the blood, at which a person often is already losing consciousness). Normally, breathing is stimulated by an increase in the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. The respiratory center is much more sensitive to increased levels of carbon dioxide than to a lack of oxygen.
Sources:
Most people believe that carbon dioxide is harmful. This is not surprising, because we were told about the negative properties of CO 2 back in school during biology and chemistry lessons. Presenting carbon dioxide exclusively as a harmful substance, teachers usually kept silent about its positive role inside our body.
Meanwhile, it is large, because carbon dioxide, or carbon dioxide, is an important participant in the respiration process. How does carbon dioxide affect our body and how is it useful?
Carbon dioxide in the human body
When we inhale, our lungs fill with oxygen, while carbon dioxide is formed in the lower part of the organ - the alveoli. At this moment, an exchange occurs: oxygen enters the blood, and carbon dioxide is released from it. And we exhale.
Breathing repeated about 15-20 times per minute triggers all vital functions of the body,
and the carbon dioxide generated in this process immediately affects many vital functions. How is carbon dioxide useful for humans?
CO 2 regulates the excitability of nerve cells, affects the permeability of cell membranes and enzyme activity, stabilizes the intensity of hormone production and the degree of their effectiveness, participates in
in the process of protein binding of calcium and iron ions.
In addition, carbon dioxide is the end product of metabolism. By exhaling, we remove unnecessary components that arise during metabolism and cleanse our body. The metabolic process is continuous, so we need to constantly remove end products.
It is important not only the presence, but also the amount of CO 2 in the body. The normal content level is 6-6.5%. This is enough for all the “mechanisms” in the body to work correctly and for you to feel good.
A lack or excess of carbon dioxide in the body leads to two conditions: hypocapnia
And hypercapnia.
Hypocapnia- this is a lack of carbon dioxide in the blood. Occurs when deep, rapid breathing occurs when the body releases too much carbon dioxide. For example, after intense sports. Hypocapnia may lead to mild dizziness or loss of consciousness.
Hypercapnia- This is an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood. Occurs in rooms with poor ventilation. If the concentration of CO 2 in the room exceeds the norm, then its level in the body will also become higher.
This may cause headaches, nausea and drowsiness. Hypercapnia occurs especially often in winter among office workers, as well as in long queues. For example, at the post office or at the clinic.
An excess of carbon dioxide can also occur in extreme situations, for example when holding your breath under water.
We will tell you more about the consequences of hypercapnia and ways to combat it in one of the following articles. Today we will focus on hypocapnia and its treatment.
As mentioned above, carbon dioxide affects many processes in our body, which is why it is so important that its level is kept within normal limits. And one type of breathing exercises will help bring the CO 2 content back to normal.
But such phrases do not look very convincing, especially when we want to solve a specific problem or get rid of a certain disease. Let's figure out how carbon dioxide helps
and breathing exercises in specific cases.
Let's start with the fact that during training on a simulator or standard breathing practices, a person's blood is saturated with carbon dioxide, the blood supply to all organs improves, as a result of which a positive effect appears.
The body begins to heal itself from the inside, having different effects on different groups of organs. For example, improving blood supply and increasing CO 2 levels leads to normalization of the tone of the smooth muscles of the stomach and intestines. This has a positive effect on the functioning of the intestines, restores its basic functions and helps in the fight against various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Carbon dioxide also has a positive effect on membrane permeability, which normalizes the excitability of nerve cells. This helps to cope with stress more easily, avoid nervous overexcitation and, as a result, relieves insomnia and migraines.
CO 2 also helps with allergies: carbon dioxide reduces the viscosity of the cytoplasm that fills the cells. This has a positive effect on metabolism and increases the activity of the body's defense systems.
Defense systems are also activated in the fight against viral diseases. Regular breathing exercises help to avoid acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections by increasing local immunity.
Carbon dioxide helps with bronchitis and asthma: it reduces vascular spasm, which allows you to get rid of phlegm and mucus in the bronchi, and, accordingly, the disease itself.
Due to the normalization of the lumen of blood vessels, patients with hypotension also improve. Breathing exercises help them gradually cope with low blood pressure.
Despite all the positive changes that occur in our body when carbon dioxide levels are normalized, it is not a panacea for all diseases. It is rather the help that you provide to your body by doing breathing exercises.
Believe me, after several months of exercise, your body will definitely thank you with good health. Before you start exercising, be sure to check the level of CO 2 in your body and make sure that breathing exercises or the Samozdrav simulator will help with your illness.
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