How we breathe

 

Today I am sharing some information about how breathing works.

When you inhale, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, making more space in the chest. This lowers pressure in the lungs, so air flows in.

When you exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward. The chest space becomes smaller, pressure increases, and air is pushed out.

There is also gas exchange this happens in the alveoli. Oxygen from inhaled air passes through thin alveolar walls into the bloodstream. At the same time, carbon dioxide moves from the blood into the alveoli so it can be breathed out.

Why does it matter, well out respiratory system works closely with the circulatory system. The lungs supply oxygen to the blood, and the heart pumps that oxygen-rich blood around the body. Without oxygen, cells cannot efficiently release energy from food.

There are some common respiratory conditions such as:

Asthma

Bronchitis

Pneumonia

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Lung infections

Allergies affecting the airways

Then of course there is cancer and not just lung cancer but others. The cancers that affect the respiratory system are the following:

Lung cancer – the most common respiratory-system cancer; it starts in the lung tissue and can make breathing difficult.

Tracheal cancer – affects the windpipe, which carries air to and from the lungs.

Bronchial cancer – affects the bronchi, the large airways that branch into the lungs.

Laryngeal cancer – affects the voice box and can impact breathing, speaking, and swallowing.

Throat/pharyngeal cancer – can affect the upper airway and may interfere with breathing and swallowing.

Mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining around the lungs, often linked to asbestos exposure.

Metastatic cancer in the lungs – cancer that starts elsewhere in the body but spreads to the lungs.

 

Links

 

Here are this week’s links

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/07/fill-ins.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/07/lifes-hodgepodge.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/07/sharing-my-world_02091239208.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/07/tuesday-4_01392833923.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sticky Tape

 

Today we are looking at something most people have used and something I use daily that’s sticky tape.

The term “sticky tape” is commonly used in places such as Australia and the UK, while in the US people often say, “Scotch tape” or “transparent tape.” Over time, sticky tape evolved into many specialised forms, including masking tape, packing tape, electrical tape, double-sided tape, medical tape, and duct tape.

It was invented in the early 20th century as a practical solution to an everyday industrial problem: how to seal, mask, or hold materials together cleanly without using messy glue, string, or pins.

In the 1920s, 3M employee Richard Gurley Drew was working with car manufacturers, who needed a better way to create neat two-tone paint jobs on automobiles. Painters were using heavy paper and adhesive methods that often damaged the fresh paint or left uneven edges. Drew developed a pressure-sensitive masking tape in 1925, which could stick temporarily and be removed more cleanly.

A few years later, he helped create a clear version of pressure-sensitive tape. In 1930, 3M introduced Scotch® Cellulose Tape, a transparent adhesive tape made with cellophane. It became especially popular during the Great Depression because people used it to repair torn paper, mend household items, seal packages, and make things last longer rather than replacing them.

In short, sticky tape was invented not as a novelty, but as a clever industrial fix that became one of the most useful everyday tools in homes, schools, offices, and workshops.

 

 

Week 29 of 2026

 

Had a decent night sleep was up at 4.20am it is a cold morning with a temp of 9c or 48f and I have to put the heater on as I am that cold.

Went for my walk a bit later than usual as it was too cold at 6.40am so I went at 7.40am and only did a short walk. At this time, it is 12c or 53f.

I have felt good most of the day, did the housework and feed the birds.

This evening Tim started to sort through his receipts for his tax return, and he was getting annoyed as he didn’t have a table and he didn’t ask me to move so I didn’t. I just ignored his frustration.

Steps: 5,529 = 2.8k’s or 1.7miles

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Had a decent night sleep was up at 5am when the alarm went off. It is only 5c or 41f at 6am.

I had a letter to post off so I did that when I went for my morning walk, it was cold, but walking warmed me up a tad.

Tim is complaining he has no motivation and I do get that I blame the cold.

Sue came over to take me to pick up scrips from the chemist and some documents I had printed at Officeworks.

It is warm in the sun but otherwise its cold top temp was 16c or 60f

Steps: 4,138 = 2k’s or 1.2 miles

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Had an ok night was up at 4.30am and it was only 5c again, Tim is working today.

I did a load of washing and have hung it up to dry with the clothes hoists in the lounge area with the heater on and in front of the clothes. So, I can warm the room and dry the clothes.

I finished putting the clothes hanger together and it is now in the spare room with Tim’s shirts hanging on it.

It warmed up during the day, and I ended up opening the doors and turning the heater off.

Paid our power bill we owed $274 the bill was for $500 but I pay $10 a week off it.

Steps: 7,598 = 3k’s or 2.4miles

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Had an ok night was up at 4.30am and it was only 5c again, Tim is working today.

I didn’t go for a walk as it was too cold, and I didn’t feel steady on my legs.

I am using the vibration board twice a day for 15 minutes at a time.

I tried to go for a walk around 1.50pm but only managed 10 minutes as I was cold and unsteady and the cold weather made me start coughing and wheezing.

Every day around 5pm when the cold night air starts, I start coughing and wheezing, Tim says I sound awful.

Steps: 4,136 = 2.1k’s or 1.2miles

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I woke when the alarm went off this morning, I’m feeling good this morning but no walk as it is raining.

It is another cold morning with the temp being 9c or 48f, I have a Dr appointment this morning.

Saw the doctor have to have an Xray and ultrasound done of my right knee.

Sandy came over to use my computer she had to scan and attach some documents to something online. She had Skylar with her. She is divorcing Ed.

Around midday Tim walked in he dropped some people off around the corner and came home to have lunch before he goes back at 2pm to pick them up.

Steps count is low today only 3,199

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I woke when the alarm went off this morning, I’m feeling good this morning not sure if I will go for a walk as it is wet outside.

Sue and I went to see Jeannie, it was a nice visit, there was a fair bit of laughing.

Tim set up the new house phones.

Steps: 4,136 = 2.1k’s or 1.2miles

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I woke when the alarm went off this morning, after a good night sleep doesn’t feel as cold this morning the temp is 11c or 52f.

It stopped raining long enough for me to go for a walk.

It has rained on and off all day and has been cold most of the day but not cold enough for the heater. Unless you’re Tasha her house is so hot it’s like being in a sauna.

Steps:4,159 = 2.3k’s or 1.2 miles

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Friday

This week we have a photo of my sister Jeanie, it is her birthday on Monday

Parkinson's and the cold

As most of those who read my posts will know I have Parkinson’s Disease and since it is winter here, I am writing a bit about how the cold can affect people with Parkinson’s Disease

On thing I find is how hard it is for me to warm up once I become cold, I also feel the cold more. This is because Parkinson’s affects movement and can also affect the nervous system, which helps control body temperature.

I feel the cold weather makes my tremors more noticeable. I also find I suffer from shivering more. I have read that is common for some people to feel more tired because their body is working harder to stay warm and move comfortably.

Another common effect of cold weather is increased stiffness. When muscles are cold, they can tighten and feel less flexible. For a person with Parkinson’s, this can make rigidity, slowness, and everyday movements worse. Tasks such as walking, getting dressed, using buttons, or holding objects may take more effort than usual.

Mobility and balance can also be affected. In cold, wet, or icy weather, people with Parkinson’s may move more slowly and have a higher risk of falling. Stiff muscles, slower reactions, slippery paths, and bulky winter clothing can all make walking less steady.

To reduce these problems, it can help to dress in warm layers, keep hands and feet covered, warm up indoors before going outside, wear shoes with good grip, and allow extra time when walking in cold conditions.

The cold weather has prevented me from going for a walk the last couple of mornings, due to me finding it difficult to walk as my legs and feet feel heavy. I don’t feel safe as it is harder to pick me feet up and I am shuffling about.

 

  

Respiratory System

 

This week we are starting to look at the human respiratory system I will be doing a few posts about this topic over the next few weeks.

We need a constant supply of oxygen to stay alive, our respiratory system is what allows us to obtain oxygen from the air and to get rid of carbon dioxide which is the waste it is a gas produced by cells.

Our respiratory is made up of the following parts.

Nose and nasal cavity: Filter, warm, and moisten incoming air.

Mouth: An alternate pathway for air, especially during exercise or congestion.

Pharynx: The throat area that carries air from the nose/mouth toward the larynx.

Larynx: Also called the voice box; helps produce sound and protects the airway.

Trachea: The windpipe, which carries air down into the chest.

Bronchi: Two main branches from the trachea, one going to each lung.

Bronchioles: Smaller branching airways inside the lungs.

Alveoli: Tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs.

Lungs: The main organs of breathing.

Diaphragm: A dome-shaped muscle under the lungs that drives breathing.

More next week.