Question

When the blood contains a high percentage of ${\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$ and a very low percentage of ${{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$, the breathing stops and becomes unconscious. This condition is known as
A) Suffocation
B) Asphyxia
C) Emphysema
D) Eupnoea

Answer 1

Human blood is a complex mixture of many elements. Any irregularities in their composition can cause various diseases. Blood is the important transportation medium in the human body. Blood is able to transport oxygen because of the presence of an element called haemoglobin.

Complete answer:
Blood in the human body is used as a transportation medium for different substances in the body. Blood transports important minerals and all over the body. The main function of blood is the transportation of oxygen. Blood transports oxygen to all cells in the body and collects carbon dioxide from these cells and takes it back to the heart for purification. This process is carried out efficiently when the percentage of these gases are in the correct proportion in the blood. Any irregularities in this can be serious.

When we come across electric shocks, choking, drowning etc., there will be obstruction in airway passages and we will be receiving less amount of oxygen compared to the amount that we actually need. This situation creates an imbalance in the proportion of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. This results in an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood and this phenomenon is called asphyxia. During this occasion, we feel like the breathing is getting stopped. It can also lead to loss of consciousness. Also increased levels of carbon dioxide can also lead to increased blood pressure.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Additional information:
Our body uses some mechanisms to compensate for the excess of carbon dioxide in the blood. This includes increasing the blood pressure, increasing the breathing volume etc.

Note: In order to avoid infections, patients with emphysema should receive a flu shot annually and a pneumonia shot every five to seven years. There are four stages of the emphysema depending upon the stage and condition of the patient the medication will be needed to cure.