Lisähengitystyö

Lisähengitystyö, or additional work of breathing, refers to the extra effort required by respiratory muscles to move air into and out of the lungs beyond the normal resting breathing effort. This increased workload can be caused by various factors, including airway obstruction, reduced lung compliance, or increased metabolic demand.

Conditions that lead to increased airway resistance, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or mucus accumulation, force the respiratory muscles to work harder to overcome the obstruction. Similarly, conditions that decrease lung compliance, like pulmonary fibrosis or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), make the lungs stiffer and harder to inflate, thus increasing the work of breathing.

Increased oxygen demand, such as during exercise, fever, or sepsis, also elevates the work of breathing as the body tries to meet the higher metabolic needs. The respiratory muscles themselves can also become fatigued or weakened, leading to an inability to maintain adequate ventilation and exacerbating the work of breathing.

The consequences of excessive additional work of breathing can include respiratory muscle fatigue, shortness of breath (dyspnea), and potentially respiratory failure. Monitoring and managing the underlying cause of increased work of breathing is crucial to prevent these complications. Treatment often involves addressing the specific condition contributing to the increased effort, such as bronchodilators for airway obstruction or mechanical ventilation to support breathing.