\u00a0Case Study: Cough That Won't Quit<\/h1>\r\n<\/div>\r\nThree weeks ago, 20-year-old Erica came down with symptoms typical of the common cold. She had a runny nose, fatigue, and a mild cough. Her symptoms\u00a0were\u00a0starting to improve, but recently, her cough has been getting worse. She is coughing up a lot of thick mucus, her throat is sore from frequent coughing, and her chest feels very congested. According to her grandmother, Erica has a \u201cchest cold.\u201d Erica is a smoker and wonders if her habit is making her cough worse. She decides that it's time to see a doctor.\r\n\r\nDr. Choo examines Erica and asks about her symptoms and health history. She checks the level of oxygen in Erica\u2019s blood by attaching a device called a pulse oximeter to Erica\u2019s finger.\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4281\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"475\"]![\"13.1.2](\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/acchumanbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/152\/2023\/10\/Wrist-oximeter-2.jpg\")
Figure 13.1.2 A pulse oximeter, used to measure blood oxygen levels.<\/em>[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nDr. Choo concludes that Erica has [pb_glossary id=\"4282\"]bronchitis[\/pb_glossary], which is an infection that commonly occurs after a person has a cold or flu. Bronchitis<\/a> is sometimes referred to as a \u201cchest cold,\u201d so Erica\u2019s grandmother was right! Bronchitis causes inflammation and a build up of mucus in the bronchial tubes in the chest.\r\n\r\nBecause bronchitis is usually caused by [pb_glossary id=\"4283\"]viruses[\/pb_glossary] and not [pb_glossary id=\"2588\"]bacteria[\/pb_glossary], Dr. Choo tells Erica that antibiotics are not likely to help. Instead, she recommends that Erica try to thin out and remove the mucus by drinking plenty of fluids and using a humidifier or spending time in a steamy shower. She recommends that Erica get plenty of rest as well.\r\n\r\nDr. Choo also tells Erica some things not<\/em> to do \u2014 most importantly, to stop smoking while she is sick, and to try to quit smoking in the long-term. She explains that smoking can make people more susceptible to bronchitis and can hinder recovery. Finally, she advises Erica to avoid taking over-the-counter cough suppressant medication.\r\n\r\nAs you read this chapter about the respiratory system, you will be able to better understand what bronchitis is, and why Dr. Choo made the treatment recommendations that she did. At the end of the chapter, you will learn more about acute bronchitis, which is the type that Erica has. This information may come in handy to you personally, because chances are high that you will get this common infection at some point in your life \u2014 there are millions of cases of bronchitis every year!\r\n\r\n\r\nChapter Overview: Respiratory System<\/span><\/h1>\r\n<\/header>\r\n\r\n\r\nIn this chapter, you will learn about the [pb_glossary id=\"2912\"]respiratory system[\/pb_glossary] \u2014 the system that exchanges gases (such as oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the outside air. Specifically, you will learn about:\r\n\r\n \t- The process of respiration, in which oxygen moves from the outside air into the body and carbon dioxide and other waste gases move from inside the body into the outside air.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The organs of the respiratory system, including the lungs, bronchial tubes, and the rest of the respiratory tract.<\/li>\r\n \t
- How the respiratory tract protects itself from pathogens and other potentially harmful substances in the air.<\/li>\r\n \t
- How the rate of breathing is regulated to maintain homeostasis of blood gases and pH.<\/li>\r\n \t
- How ventilation, or breathing, allows us to inhale air into the body and exhale air out of the body.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The conscious and unconscious control of breathing.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Nasal breathing compared to mouth breathing.<\/li>\r\n \t
- What happens when a person is drowning.<\/li>\r\n \t
- How gas exchange occurs between the air and blood in the alveoli of the lungs, and between the blood and cells throughout the body.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Disorders of the respiratory system, including asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The negative health effects of smoking.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nAs you read the chapter, think about the following questions:\r\n
\r\n \t- Where are the bronchial tubes? What is their function?<\/li>\r\n \t
- What is the function of mucus? Why can too much mucus be a bad thing?<\/li>\r\n \t
- Why did Dr. Choo check Erica\u2019s blood oxygen level?<\/li>\r\n \t
- Why do you think Dr. Choo warned Erica to avoid cough suppressant medications?<\/li>\r\n \t
- How does acute bronchitis compare to chronic bronchitis? How do they both relate to smoking?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
Attributions<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\nFigure 13.1.1<\/strong>\r\n\r\nCold\/ Look into my eyes forever<\/a> [photo] by Spencer Backman<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> is used under the Unsplash License<\/a> (https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license).\r\n\r\nFigure 13.1.2<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWrist-oximeter<\/a> by UusiAjaja<\/a> on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC0 1.0<\/a> Universal Public Domain Dedication (https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en) license.\r\n\r\n\r\nReference<\/span>\r\nMayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Bronchitis [online article]. Mayoclinic.org. https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/bronchitis\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20355566<\/p>","rendered":"
<\/p>\n![\"13.1.1](\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/acchumanbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/152\/2019\/06\/Cold-by-spencer-backman-1KdD2iBlnRI-unsplash-scaled-3.jpg\")
Figure 13.1.1 Feeling under the weather?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\u00a0Case Study: Cough That Won’t Quit<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
Three weeks ago, 20-year-old Erica came down with symptoms typical of the common cold. She had a runny nose, fatigue, and a mild cough. Her symptoms\u00a0were\u00a0starting to improve, but recently, her cough has been getting worse. She is coughing up a lot of thick mucus, her throat is sore from frequent coughing, and her chest feels very congested. According to her grandmother, Erica has a \u201cchest cold.\u201d Erica is a smoker and wonders if her habit is making her cough worse. She decides that it’s time to see a doctor.<\/p>\n
Dr. Choo examines Erica and asks about her symptoms and health history. She checks the level of oxygen in Erica\u2019s blood by attaching a device called a pulse oximeter to Erica\u2019s finger.<\/p>\n
\nFigure 13.1.2 A pulse oximeter, used to measure blood oxygen levels.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nDr. Choo concludes that Erica has bronchitis<\/a>, which is an infection that commonly occurs after a person has a cold or flu. Bronchitis<\/a> is sometimes referred to as a \u201cchest cold,\u201d so Erica\u2019s grandmother was right! Bronchitis causes inflammation and a build up of mucus in the bronchial tubes in the chest.<\/p>\nBecause bronchitis is usually caused by viruses<\/a> and not bacteria<\/a>, Dr. Choo tells Erica that antibiotics are not likely to help. Instead, she recommends that Erica try to thin out and remove the mucus by drinking plenty of fluids and using a humidifier or spending time in a steamy shower. She recommends that Erica get plenty of rest as well.<\/p>\nDr. Choo also tells Erica some things not<\/em> to do \u2014 most importantly, to stop smoking while she is sick, and to try to quit smoking in the long-term. She explains that smoking can make people more susceptible to bronchitis and can hinder recovery. Finally, she advises Erica to avoid taking over-the-counter cough suppressant medication.<\/p>\nAs you read this chapter about the respiratory system, you will be able to better understand what bronchitis is, and why Dr. Choo made the treatment recommendations that she did. At the end of the chapter, you will learn more about acute bronchitis, which is the type that Erica has. This information may come in handy to you personally, because chances are high that you will get this common infection at some point in your life \u2014 there are millions of cases of bronchitis every year!<\/p>\n
\n\n\nChapter Overview: Respiratory System<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n\nIn this chapter, you will learn about the respiratory system<\/a> \u2014 the system that exchanges gases (such as oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the outside air. Specifically, you will learn about:<\/p>\n\n- The process of respiration, in which oxygen moves from the outside air into the body and carbon dioxide and other waste gases move from inside the body into the outside air.<\/li>\n
- The organs of the respiratory system, including the lungs, bronchial tubes, and the rest of the respiratory tract.<\/li>\n
- How the respiratory tract protects itself from pathogens and other potentially harmful substances in the air.<\/li>\n
- How the rate of breathing is regulated to maintain homeostasis of blood gases and pH.<\/li>\n
- How ventilation, or breathing, allows us to inhale air into the body and exhale air out of the body.<\/li>\n
- The conscious and unconscious control of breathing.<\/li>\n
- Nasal breathing compared to mouth breathing.<\/li>\n
- What happens when a person is drowning.<\/li>\n
- How gas exchange occurs between the air and blood in the alveoli of the lungs, and between the blood and cells throughout the body.<\/li>\n
- Disorders of the respiratory system, including asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.<\/li>\n
- The negative health effects of smoking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
As you read the chapter, think about the following questions:<\/p>\n
\n- Where are the bronchial tubes? What is their function?<\/li>\n
- What is the function of mucus? Why can too much mucus be a bad thing?<\/li>\n
- Why did Dr. Choo check Erica\u2019s blood oxygen level?<\/li>\n
- Why do you think Dr. Choo warned Erica to avoid cough suppressant medications?<\/li>\n
- How does acute bronchitis compare to chronic bronchitis? How do they both relate to smoking?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n
Attributions<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
Figure 13.1.1<\/strong><\/p>\nCold\/ Look into my eyes forever<\/a> [photo] by Spencer Backman<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> is used under the Unsplash License<\/a> (https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license).<\/p>\nFigure 13.1.2<\/strong><\/p>\nWrist-oximeter<\/a> by UusiAjaja<\/a> on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC0 1.0<\/a> Universal Public Domain Dedication (https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en) license.<\/p>\n
\nReference<\/span><\/p>\nMayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Bronchitis [online article]. Mayoclinic.org. https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/bronchitis\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20355566<\/p>\n
definition<\/span>Created by CK-12\/Adapted by Christine Miller<\/p>\n
As you read in the beginning of this chapter, new parents Samantha and Aki left their pediatrician\u2019s office still unsure whether or not to vaccinate baby James. Dr. Rodriguez gave them a list of reputable sources where they could look up information about the safety of vaccines,\u00a0including\u00a0the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Samantha and Aki read that the consensus within the scientific community is that there is no link between vaccines and autism. They find a long list of studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals that disprove any link. Additionally, some of the studies are \u201cmeta-analyses\u201d that analyzed the findings from many individual studies. The new parents are reassured by the fact that many different researchers, using a large number of subjects in numerous well-controlled and well-reviewed studies, all came to the same conclusion.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/acchumanbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/152\/2019\/06\/avel-chuklanov-DUmFLtMeAbQ-unsplash-scaled-4.jpg\")
Figure 1.8.1 Do your research!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSamantha also went back to the web page that originally scared her about the safety of vaccines. She found that the author was not a medical doctor or scientific researcher, but rather a self-proclaimed \u201cchild wellness expert.\u201d He sold books and advertising on his site, some of which were related to claims of vaccine injury. She realized that he was both an unqualified and potentially biased source of information.<\/p>\n
Samantha also realized that some of his arguments were based on correlations between autism and vaccines, but, as the saying goes, \u201ccorrelation does not imply causation.\u201d For instance, the recent rise in autism rates may have occurred during the same time period as an increase in the number of vaccines given in childhood, but Samantha could think of many other environmental and social factors that have also changed during this time period. There are just too many variables to come to the conclusion that vaccines, or anything else, are the cause of the rise in autism rates based on that type of argument alone. Also, she learned that the age of onset of autism symptoms happens to typically be around the time that the MMR vaccine is first given, so the apparent association in the timing may just be a coincidence.<\/p>\n
Finally, Samantha came across news about\u00a0 a measles outbreak in Vancouver, British Columbia in the winter of 2019. Measles wasn\u2019t just a disease of the past! She learned that measles and whooping cough, which had previously been rare thanks to widespread vaccinations, are now on the rise, and that people choosing not to vaccinate their children seems to be one of the contributing factors. She realized that it is important to vaccinate her baby against these diseases, not only to protect him from their potentially deadly effects, but also to protect others in the population.<\/p>\n
In their reading, Samantha and Aki learn that scientists do not yet know the causes of autism, but they feels reassured by the abundance of data that disproves any link with vaccines. Both parents think that the potential benefits of protecting their baby\u2019s health against deadly diseases outweighs any unsubstantiated claims about vaccines. They will be making an appointment to get baby James his shots soon.<\/p>\n
\n\nChapter 1 Summary<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n\nIn this chapter, you learned about some of the same concepts that helped Samantha and Aki make an informed decision. Specifically:<\/p>\n
\n- Science is a distinctive way of gaining knowledge about the natural world that is based on the use of evidence to logically test ideas. As such, science is\u00a0a\u00a0process,\u00a0as well as\u00a0a body of knowledge.<\/li>\n
- A scientific theory, such as the germ theory of disease, is the highest level of explanation in science. A theory is a broad explanation for many phenomena that is widely accepted because it is supported by a great deal of evidence.<\/li>\n
- The scientific\u00a0investigation is the cornerstone of science as a process. A scientific investigation is a systematic approach to answering questions about the physical and natural world. An investigation may be observational or experimental.<\/li>\n
- A scientific experiment is a type of scientific investigation in which the researcher manipulates variables under controlled conditions to test expected outcomes. Experiments are the gold standard for scientific investigations and can establish causation between variables.<\/li>\n
- Nonexperimental scientific investigations such as observational studies and modeling may be undertaken when experiments are impractical, unethical, or impossible. Observational studies generally can establish correlation \u2014 but not causation \u2014 between variables.<\/li>\n
- A pseudoscience, such as astrology, is a field that is presented as scientific but that does not adhere to scientific standards and methods. Other misuses of science include deliberate hoaxes, frauds, and fallacies made by researchers.<\/li>\n
- Strict guidelines must be followed when using human subjects in scientific research. Among the most important protections is the requirement for informed consent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Now that you know about the nature and process of science, you can apply these concepts in the next chapter to the study of human biology.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nChapter 1 Review<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n\n\n- \n\n
Figure 13.1.2 A pulse oximeter, used to measure blood oxygen levels.<\/em>[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nDr. Choo concludes that Erica has [pb_glossary id=\"4282\"]bronchitis[\/pb_glossary], which is an infection that commonly occurs after a person has a cold or flu. Bronchitis<\/a> is sometimes referred to as a \u201cchest cold,\u201d so Erica\u2019s grandmother was right! Bronchitis causes inflammation and a build up of mucus in the bronchial tubes in the chest.\r\n\r\nBecause bronchitis is usually caused by [pb_glossary id=\"4283\"]viruses[\/pb_glossary] and not [pb_glossary id=\"2588\"]bacteria[\/pb_glossary], Dr. Choo tells Erica that antibiotics are not likely to help. Instead, she recommends that Erica try to thin out and remove the mucus by drinking plenty of fluids and using a humidifier or spending time in a steamy shower. She recommends that Erica get plenty of rest as well.\r\n\r\nDr. Choo also tells Erica some things not<\/em> to do \u2014 most importantly, to stop smoking while she is sick, and to try to quit smoking in the long-term. She explains that smoking can make people more susceptible to bronchitis and can hinder recovery. Finally, she advises Erica to avoid taking over-the-counter cough suppressant medication.\r\n\r\nAs you read this chapter about the respiratory system, you will be able to better understand what bronchitis is, and why Dr. Choo made the treatment recommendations that she did. At the end of the chapter, you will learn more about acute bronchitis, which is the type that Erica has. This information may come in handy to you personally, because chances are high that you will get this common infection at some point in your life \u2014 there are millions of cases of bronchitis every year!\r\nChapter Overview: Respiratory System<\/span><\/h1>\r\n<\/header>\r\n\r\n\r\nIn this chapter, you will learn about the [pb_glossary id=\"2912\"]respiratory system[\/pb_glossary] \u2014 the system that exchanges gases (such as oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the outside air. Specifically, you will learn about:\r\n\r\n \t- The process of respiration, in which oxygen moves from the outside air into the body and carbon dioxide and other waste gases move from inside the body into the outside air.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The organs of the respiratory system, including the lungs, bronchial tubes, and the rest of the respiratory tract.<\/li>\r\n \t
- How the respiratory tract protects itself from pathogens and other potentially harmful substances in the air.<\/li>\r\n \t
- How the rate of breathing is regulated to maintain homeostasis of blood gases and pH.<\/li>\r\n \t
- How ventilation, or breathing, allows us to inhale air into the body and exhale air out of the body.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The conscious and unconscious control of breathing.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Nasal breathing compared to mouth breathing.<\/li>\r\n \t
- What happens when a person is drowning.<\/li>\r\n \t
- How gas exchange occurs between the air and blood in the alveoli of the lungs, and between the blood and cells throughout the body.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Disorders of the respiratory system, including asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The negative health effects of smoking.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nAs you read the chapter, think about the following questions:\r\n
\r\n \t- Where are the bronchial tubes? What is their function?<\/li>\r\n \t
- What is the function of mucus? Why can too much mucus be a bad thing?<\/li>\r\n \t
- Why did Dr. Choo check Erica\u2019s blood oxygen level?<\/li>\r\n \t
- Why do you think Dr. Choo warned Erica to avoid cough suppressant medications?<\/li>\r\n \t
- How does acute bronchitis compare to chronic bronchitis? How do they both relate to smoking?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
Attributions<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\nFigure 13.1.1<\/strong>\r\n\r\nCold\/ Look into my eyes forever<\/a> [photo] by Spencer Backman<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> is used under the Unsplash License<\/a> (https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license).\r\n\r\nFigure 13.1.2<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWrist-oximeter<\/a> by UusiAjaja<\/a> on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC0 1.0<\/a> Universal Public Domain Dedication (https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en) license.\r\n\r\n\r\nReference<\/span>\r\nMayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Bronchitis [online article]. Mayoclinic.org. https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/bronchitis\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20355566<\/p>","rendered":"
<\/p>\nFigure 13.1.1 Feeling under the weather?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\u00a0Case Study: Cough That Won’t Quit<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
Three weeks ago, 20-year-old Erica came down with symptoms typical of the common cold. She had a runny nose, fatigue, and a mild cough. Her symptoms\u00a0were\u00a0starting to improve, but recently, her cough has been getting worse. She is coughing up a lot of thick mucus, her throat is sore from frequent coughing, and her chest feels very congested. According to her grandmother, Erica has a \u201cchest cold.\u201d Erica is a smoker and wonders if her habit is making her cough worse. She decides that it’s time to see a doctor.<\/p>\n
Dr. Choo examines Erica and asks about her symptoms and health history. She checks the level of oxygen in Erica\u2019s blood by attaching a device called a pulse oximeter to Erica\u2019s finger.<\/p>\n
\nFigure 13.1.2 A pulse oximeter, used to measure blood oxygen levels.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nDr. Choo concludes that Erica has bronchitis<\/a>, which is an infection that commonly occurs after a person has a cold or flu. Bronchitis<\/a> is sometimes referred to as a \u201cchest cold,\u201d so Erica\u2019s grandmother was right! Bronchitis causes inflammation and a build up of mucus in the bronchial tubes in the chest.<\/p>\nBecause bronchitis is usually caused by viruses<\/a> and not bacteria<\/a>, Dr. Choo tells Erica that antibiotics are not likely to help. Instead, she recommends that Erica try to thin out and remove the mucus by drinking plenty of fluids and using a humidifier or spending time in a steamy shower. She recommends that Erica get plenty of rest as well.<\/p>\nDr. Choo also tells Erica some things not<\/em> to do \u2014 most importantly, to stop smoking while she is sick, and to try to quit smoking in the long-term. She explains that smoking can make people more susceptible to bronchitis and can hinder recovery. Finally, she advises Erica to avoid taking over-the-counter cough suppressant medication.<\/p>\nAs you read this chapter about the respiratory system, you will be able to better understand what bronchitis is, and why Dr. Choo made the treatment recommendations that she did. At the end of the chapter, you will learn more about acute bronchitis, which is the type that Erica has. This information may come in handy to you personally, because chances are high that you will get this common infection at some point in your life \u2014 there are millions of cases of bronchitis every year!<\/p>\n
\n\n\nChapter Overview: Respiratory System<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n\nIn this chapter, you will learn about the respiratory system<\/a> \u2014 the system that exchanges gases (such as oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the outside air. Specifically, you will learn about:<\/p>\n\n- The process of respiration, in which oxygen moves from the outside air into the body and carbon dioxide and other waste gases move from inside the body into the outside air.<\/li>\n
- The organs of the respiratory system, including the lungs, bronchial tubes, and the rest of the respiratory tract.<\/li>\n
- How the respiratory tract protects itself from pathogens and other potentially harmful substances in the air.<\/li>\n
- How the rate of breathing is regulated to maintain homeostasis of blood gases and pH.<\/li>\n
- How ventilation, or breathing, allows us to inhale air into the body and exhale air out of the body.<\/li>\n
- The conscious and unconscious control of breathing.<\/li>\n
- Nasal breathing compared to mouth breathing.<\/li>\n
- What happens when a person is drowning.<\/li>\n
- How gas exchange occurs between the air and blood in the alveoli of the lungs, and between the blood and cells throughout the body.<\/li>\n
- Disorders of the respiratory system, including asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.<\/li>\n
- The negative health effects of smoking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
As you read the chapter, think about the following questions:<\/p>\n
\n- Where are the bronchial tubes? What is their function?<\/li>\n
- What is the function of mucus? Why can too much mucus be a bad thing?<\/li>\n
- Why did Dr. Choo check Erica\u2019s blood oxygen level?<\/li>\n
- Why do you think Dr. Choo warned Erica to avoid cough suppressant medications?<\/li>\n
- How does acute bronchitis compare to chronic bronchitis? How do they both relate to smoking?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n
Attributions<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
Figure 13.1.1<\/strong><\/p>\nCold\/ Look into my eyes forever<\/a> [photo] by Spencer Backman<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> is used under the Unsplash License<\/a> (https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license).<\/p>\nFigure 13.1.2<\/strong><\/p>\nWrist-oximeter<\/a> by UusiAjaja<\/a> on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC0 1.0<\/a> Universal Public Domain Dedication (https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en) license.<\/p>\n
\nReference<\/span><\/p>\nMayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Bronchitis [online article]. Mayoclinic.org. https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/bronchitis\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20355566<\/p>\n
definition<\/span>Created by CK-12\/Adapted by Christine Miller<\/p>\n
As you read in the beginning of this chapter, new parents Samantha and Aki left their pediatrician\u2019s office still unsure whether or not to vaccinate baby James. Dr. Rodriguez gave them a list of reputable sources where they could look up information about the safety of vaccines,\u00a0including\u00a0the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Samantha and Aki read that the consensus within the scientific community is that there is no link between vaccines and autism. They find a long list of studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals that disprove any link. Additionally, some of the studies are \u201cmeta-analyses\u201d that analyzed the findings from many individual studies. The new parents are reassured by the fact that many different researchers, using a large number of subjects in numerous well-controlled and well-reviewed studies, all came to the same conclusion.<\/p>\nFigure 1.8.1 Do your research!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSamantha also went back to the web page that originally scared her about the safety of vaccines. She found that the author was not a medical doctor or scientific researcher, but rather a self-proclaimed \u201cchild wellness expert.\u201d He sold books and advertising on his site, some of which were related to claims of vaccine injury. She realized that he was both an unqualified and potentially biased source of information.<\/p>\n
Samantha also realized that some of his arguments were based on correlations between autism and vaccines, but, as the saying goes, \u201ccorrelation does not imply causation.\u201d For instance, the recent rise in autism rates may have occurred during the same time period as an increase in the number of vaccines given in childhood, but Samantha could think of many other environmental and social factors that have also changed during this time period. There are just too many variables to come to the conclusion that vaccines, or anything else, are the cause of the rise in autism rates based on that type of argument alone. Also, she learned that the age of onset of autism symptoms happens to typically be around the time that the MMR vaccine is first given, so the apparent association in the timing may just be a coincidence.<\/p>\n
Finally, Samantha came across news about\u00a0 a measles outbreak in Vancouver, British Columbia in the winter of 2019. Measles wasn\u2019t just a disease of the past! She learned that measles and whooping cough, which had previously been rare thanks to widespread vaccinations, are now on the rise, and that people choosing not to vaccinate their children seems to be one of the contributing factors. She realized that it is important to vaccinate her baby against these diseases, not only to protect him from their potentially deadly effects, but also to protect others in the population.<\/p>\n
In their reading, Samantha and Aki learn that scientists do not yet know the causes of autism, but they feels reassured by the abundance of data that disproves any link with vaccines. Both parents think that the potential benefits of protecting their baby\u2019s health against deadly diseases outweighs any unsubstantiated claims about vaccines. They will be making an appointment to get baby James his shots soon.<\/p>\n
\n\nChapter 1 Summary<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n\nIn this chapter, you learned about some of the same concepts that helped Samantha and Aki make an informed decision. Specifically:<\/p>\n
\n- Science is a distinctive way of gaining knowledge about the natural world that is based on the use of evidence to logically test ideas. As such, science is\u00a0a\u00a0process,\u00a0as well as\u00a0a body of knowledge.<\/li>\n
- A scientific theory, such as the germ theory of disease, is the highest level of explanation in science. A theory is a broad explanation for many phenomena that is widely accepted because it is supported by a great deal of evidence.<\/li>\n
- The scientific\u00a0investigation is the cornerstone of science as a process. A scientific investigation is a systematic approach to answering questions about the physical and natural world. An investigation may be observational or experimental.<\/li>\n
- A scientific experiment is a type of scientific investigation in which the researcher manipulates variables under controlled conditions to test expected outcomes. Experiments are the gold standard for scientific investigations and can establish causation between variables.<\/li>\n
- Nonexperimental scientific investigations such as observational studies and modeling may be undertaken when experiments are impractical, unethical, or impossible. Observational studies generally can establish correlation \u2014 but not causation \u2014 between variables.<\/li>\n
- A pseudoscience, such as astrology, is a field that is presented as scientific but that does not adhere to scientific standards and methods. Other misuses of science include deliberate hoaxes, frauds, and fallacies made by researchers.<\/li>\n
- Strict guidelines must be followed when using human subjects in scientific research. Among the most important protections is the requirement for informed consent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Now that you know about the nature and process of science, you can apply these concepts in the next chapter to the study of human biology.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nChapter 1 Review<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n\n\n- \n\n
- \r\n \t
- The process of respiration, in which oxygen moves from the outside air into the body and carbon dioxide and other waste gases move from inside the body into the outside air.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The organs of the respiratory system, including the lungs, bronchial tubes, and the rest of the respiratory tract.<\/li>\r\n \t
- How the respiratory tract protects itself from pathogens and other potentially harmful substances in the air.<\/li>\r\n \t
- How the rate of breathing is regulated to maintain homeostasis of blood gases and pH.<\/li>\r\n \t
- How ventilation, or breathing, allows us to inhale air into the body and exhale air out of the body.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The conscious and unconscious control of breathing.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Nasal breathing compared to mouth breathing.<\/li>\r\n \t
- What happens when a person is drowning.<\/li>\r\n \t
- How gas exchange occurs between the air and blood in the alveoli of the lungs, and between the blood and cells throughout the body.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Disorders of the respiratory system, including asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The negative health effects of smoking.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nAs you read the chapter, think about the following questions:\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Where are the bronchial tubes? What is their function?<\/li>\r\n \t
- What is the function of mucus? Why can too much mucus be a bad thing?<\/li>\r\n \t
- Why did Dr. Choo check Erica\u2019s blood oxygen level?<\/li>\r\n \t
- Why do you think Dr. Choo warned Erica to avoid cough suppressant medications?<\/li>\r\n \t
- How does acute bronchitis compare to chronic bronchitis? How do they both relate to smoking?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
Attributions<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\nFigure 13.1.1<\/strong>\r\n\r\nCold\/ Look into my eyes forever<\/a> [photo] by Spencer Backman<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> is used under the Unsplash License<\/a> (https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license).\r\n\r\nFigure 13.1.2<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWrist-oximeter<\/a> by UusiAjaja<\/a> on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC0 1.0<\/a> Universal Public Domain Dedication (https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en) license.\r\n\r\n\r\nReference<\/span>\r\n
Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Bronchitis [online article]. Mayoclinic.org. https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/bronchitis\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20355566<\/p>","rendered":"
<\/p>\n
Figure 13.1.1 Feeling under the weather?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \n\u00a0Case Study: Cough That Won’t Quit<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
Three weeks ago, 20-year-old Erica came down with symptoms typical of the common cold. She had a runny nose, fatigue, and a mild cough. Her symptoms\u00a0were\u00a0starting to improve, but recently, her cough has been getting worse. She is coughing up a lot of thick mucus, her throat is sore from frequent coughing, and her chest feels very congested. According to her grandmother, Erica has a \u201cchest cold.\u201d Erica is a smoker and wonders if her habit is making her cough worse. She decides that it’s time to see a doctor.<\/p>\n
Dr. Choo examines Erica and asks about her symptoms and health history. She checks the level of oxygen in Erica\u2019s blood by attaching a device called a pulse oximeter to Erica\u2019s finger.<\/p>\n
\nFigure 13.1.2 A pulse oximeter, used to measure blood oxygen levels.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Dr. Choo concludes that Erica has bronchitis<\/a>, which is an infection that commonly occurs after a person has a cold or flu. Bronchitis<\/a> is sometimes referred to as a \u201cchest cold,\u201d so Erica\u2019s grandmother was right! Bronchitis causes inflammation and a build up of mucus in the bronchial tubes in the chest.<\/p>\n
Because bronchitis is usually caused by viruses<\/a> and not bacteria<\/a>, Dr. Choo tells Erica that antibiotics are not likely to help. Instead, she recommends that Erica try to thin out and remove the mucus by drinking plenty of fluids and using a humidifier or spending time in a steamy shower. She recommends that Erica get plenty of rest as well.<\/p>\n
Dr. Choo also tells Erica some things not<\/em> to do \u2014 most importantly, to stop smoking while she is sick, and to try to quit smoking in the long-term. She explains that smoking can make people more susceptible to bronchitis and can hinder recovery. Finally, she advises Erica to avoid taking over-the-counter cough suppressant medication.<\/p>\n
As you read this chapter about the respiratory system, you will be able to better understand what bronchitis is, and why Dr. Choo made the treatment recommendations that she did. At the end of the chapter, you will learn more about acute bronchitis, which is the type that Erica has. This information may come in handy to you personally, because chances are high that you will get this common infection at some point in your life \u2014 there are millions of cases of bronchitis every year!<\/p>\n
\n\n\n Chapter Overview: Respiratory System<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n
\nIn this chapter, you will learn about the respiratory system<\/a> \u2014 the system that exchanges gases (such as oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the outside air. Specifically, you will learn about:<\/p>\n
- \n
- The process of respiration, in which oxygen moves from the outside air into the body and carbon dioxide and other waste gases move from inside the body into the outside air.<\/li>\n
- The organs of the respiratory system, including the lungs, bronchial tubes, and the rest of the respiratory tract.<\/li>\n
- How the respiratory tract protects itself from pathogens and other potentially harmful substances in the air.<\/li>\n
- How the rate of breathing is regulated to maintain homeostasis of blood gases and pH.<\/li>\n
- How ventilation, or breathing, allows us to inhale air into the body and exhale air out of the body.<\/li>\n
- The conscious and unconscious control of breathing.<\/li>\n
- Nasal breathing compared to mouth breathing.<\/li>\n
- What happens when a person is drowning.<\/li>\n
- How gas exchange occurs between the air and blood in the alveoli of the lungs, and between the blood and cells throughout the body.<\/li>\n
- Disorders of the respiratory system, including asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.<\/li>\n
- The negative health effects of smoking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
As you read the chapter, think about the following questions:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Where are the bronchial tubes? What is their function?<\/li>\n
- What is the function of mucus? Why can too much mucus be a bad thing?<\/li>\n
- Why did Dr. Choo check Erica\u2019s blood oxygen level?<\/li>\n
- Why do you think Dr. Choo warned Erica to avoid cough suppressant medications?<\/li>\n
- How does acute bronchitis compare to chronic bronchitis? How do they both relate to smoking?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n
Attributions<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
Figure 13.1.1<\/strong><\/p>\n
Cold\/ Look into my eyes forever<\/a> [photo] by Spencer Backman<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> is used under the Unsplash License<\/a> (https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license).<\/p>\n
Figure 13.1.2<\/strong><\/p>\n
Wrist-oximeter<\/a> by UusiAjaja<\/a> on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC0 1.0<\/a> Universal Public Domain Dedication (https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en) license.<\/p>\n
\nReference<\/span><\/p>\nMayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Bronchitis [online article]. Mayoclinic.org. https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/bronchitis\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20355566<\/p>\n
definition<\/span>Created by CK-12\/Adapted by Christine Miller<\/p>\n
As you read in the beginning of this chapter, new parents Samantha and Aki left their pediatrician\u2019s office still unsure whether or not to vaccinate baby James. Dr. Rodriguez gave them a list of reputable sources where they could look up information about the safety of vaccines,\u00a0including\u00a0the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Samantha and Aki read that the consensus within the scientific community is that there is no link between vaccines and autism. They find a long list of studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals that disprove any link. Additionally, some of the studies are \u201cmeta-analyses\u201d that analyzed the findings from many individual studies. The new parents are reassured by the fact that many different researchers, using a large number of subjects in numerous well-controlled and well-reviewed studies, all came to the same conclusion.<\/p>\n
Figure 1.8.1 Do your research!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Samantha also went back to the web page that originally scared her about the safety of vaccines. She found that the author was not a medical doctor or scientific researcher, but rather a self-proclaimed \u201cchild wellness expert.\u201d He sold books and advertising on his site, some of which were related to claims of vaccine injury. She realized that he was both an unqualified and potentially biased source of information.<\/p>\n
Samantha also realized that some of his arguments were based on correlations between autism and vaccines, but, as the saying goes, \u201ccorrelation does not imply causation.\u201d For instance, the recent rise in autism rates may have occurred during the same time period as an increase in the number of vaccines given in childhood, but Samantha could think of many other environmental and social factors that have also changed during this time period. There are just too many variables to come to the conclusion that vaccines, or anything else, are the cause of the rise in autism rates based on that type of argument alone. Also, she learned that the age of onset of autism symptoms happens to typically be around the time that the MMR vaccine is first given, so the apparent association in the timing may just be a coincidence.<\/p>\n
Finally, Samantha came across news about\u00a0 a measles outbreak in Vancouver, British Columbia in the winter of 2019. Measles wasn\u2019t just a disease of the past! She learned that measles and whooping cough, which had previously been rare thanks to widespread vaccinations, are now on the rise, and that people choosing not to vaccinate their children seems to be one of the contributing factors. She realized that it is important to vaccinate her baby against these diseases, not only to protect him from their potentially deadly effects, but also to protect others in the population.<\/p>\n
In their reading, Samantha and Aki learn that scientists do not yet know the causes of autism, but they feels reassured by the abundance of data that disproves any link with vaccines. Both parents think that the potential benefits of protecting their baby\u2019s health against deadly diseases outweighs any unsubstantiated claims about vaccines. They will be making an appointment to get baby James his shots soon.<\/p>\n
\n\n Chapter 1 Summary<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n
\nIn this chapter, you learned about some of the same concepts that helped Samantha and Aki make an informed decision. Specifically:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Science is a distinctive way of gaining knowledge about the natural world that is based on the use of evidence to logically test ideas. As such, science is\u00a0a\u00a0process,\u00a0as well as\u00a0a body of knowledge.<\/li>\n
- A scientific theory, such as the germ theory of disease, is the highest level of explanation in science. A theory is a broad explanation for many phenomena that is widely accepted because it is supported by a great deal of evidence.<\/li>\n
- The scientific\u00a0investigation is the cornerstone of science as a process. A scientific investigation is a systematic approach to answering questions about the physical and natural world. An investigation may be observational or experimental.<\/li>\n
- A scientific experiment is a type of scientific investigation in which the researcher manipulates variables under controlled conditions to test expected outcomes. Experiments are the gold standard for scientific investigations and can establish causation between variables.<\/li>\n
- Nonexperimental scientific investigations such as observational studies and modeling may be undertaken when experiments are impractical, unethical, or impossible. Observational studies generally can establish correlation \u2014 but not causation \u2014 between variables.<\/li>\n
- A pseudoscience, such as astrology, is a field that is presented as scientific but that does not adhere to scientific standards and methods. Other misuses of science include deliberate hoaxes, frauds, and fallacies made by researchers.<\/li>\n
- Strict guidelines must be followed when using human subjects in scientific research. Among the most important protections is the requirement for informed consent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Now that you know about the nature and process of science, you can apply these concepts in the next chapter to the study of human biology.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n Chapter 1 Review<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n
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![Wrist-oximeter<\/a> by](\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Wrist-oximeter.jpg\"){kind=link}