Carbon dioxide, a byproduct of metabolism, is carried in the blood to the lungs, where it is exhaled into the atmosphere. A high level of carbon dioxide in the blood, called hypercapnia, is usually accompanied by an increase in breathing to help return levels to normal.

Although a mild swelling of your fingers may be nothing more than a temporary nuisance, severe finger swelling may be a disabling condition. Infections or a buildup of fluid are common causes of swelling in the fingers.

Bronchial washing is part of a procedure called a bronchoscopy, in which a physician looks into the lungs with a fiber-optic bronchoscope to check for irregularities and take tissue samples. The physician injects saline through the bronchoscope into the lung and then suctions it back out.

Waking up to the sound of your toddler coughing can be alarming, especially if the cough produces large amounts of phlegm. However, coughing up phlegm isn't always cause for alarm. This phlegm may be caused by the common cold or other viruses.

When fluid collects in the various air sacs in the lungs, it's called pulmonary edema. This can result from a number of different conditions, most notably heart diseases, but also pneumonia, exercising and exposure to various toxins, according to MayoClinic.com.

Although breathing is a natural body function, some people need to learn how to do it properly. Oxygen levels can drop 20 percent as we age, according to the University of Missouri-Kansas City, partially due to poor breathing habits. Shallow breathing can cause a person to become dizzy, lightheaded, tense and tired.

If you suffer from asthma or other illnesses affecting the lungs such as COPD or cystic fibrosis, your doctor may prescribe the use of a nebulizer. A nebulizer is an electric-powered device that converts liquid medication into a mist that can be inhaled normally.

Though the process of respiration is quite complex, in basic terms, it is process of exchanging carbon dioxide for oxygen. The respiration rate is the number of breaths taken per minute. The way the respiratory system responds to exercise will vary from person to person, and also by the activity being performed.

Bronchitis and whooping cough are two respiratory conditions that have similar symptoms. This similarity makes it particularly challenging to diagnose one over the other. Despite their similar symptoms, the two conditions differ in their causes, their diagnostic testing and their treatment.

When you are exercising aerobically, your muscles consume more oxygen and produce more carbon dioxide than they do at rest. These gases are exchanged with the atmosphere when you breathe.

Many people have difficulty getting enough air through the nose and breathe primarily through the mouth. Mouth breathing can cause problems such as snoring, dry mouth, sleep problems and fatigue. Issues like a crooked nasal septum, allergies or weak, flimsy nostrils can make nose breathing a challenge.

Fiberglass is a multipurpose material used in the construction of buildings, automobiles, fabric and sporting goods. According to its material safety data sheet (MSDS), fiberglass is actually plastic wrapped in glass composed of plastic. The fibers are strung together into a mesh, much like woven wool.