How Does the Respiratory System Help Maintain Homeostasis?

The respiratory system helps maintain homeostasis by regulating the intake of air into the body and by removing carbon dioxide from the blood, which in turn assists the circulatory system’s function and many other operations in the body. Homeostasis is the overall equilibrium of the body’s internal organs and functions. Without these internal systems being properly balanced it can lead to a number of issues in the human body, including death, depending on the severity of the imbalance.

Imbalances in the human body can cover a wide range of things, from high blood pressure to improper sugar levels. Either of these imbalances can cause greater health problems. If the body can maintain homeostasis then it can keep the body’s systems running correctly and balanced. Most of these functions are handled on such small levels that a person is normally unaware of what is happening. Outside factors such as illness, poor eating habits and lack of exercise can influence homeostasis. In the same manner that the body’s balance can be affected by these types of things in a negative manner, it can also be helped and repaired by outside influences. For instance, diabetics can take insulin to help correct sugar imbalances, and people can exercise more and lose weight to help lower high blood pressure.