[Coughing & Sneezing] Everything about coughing & sneezing

Hi there,

During this session, let’s learn about coughing and sneezing, which are symptoms commonly associated with cold and flu.

If you’re curious, I’ve covered cold and flu before. You can refer to the link below for more information.

So, what are coughing and sneezing that trouble us?

Coughing : It is a reflex action that clears the airways of your throat and lungs by expelling irritants, mucus, or foreign substances

Sneezing : It is a sudden, involuntary expulsion of air from the nose and mouth caused by irritation or infection, often to remove foreign particles or clear the nasal passages.

So, in essence, coughing and sneezing are our body’s way of cleansing itself to protect against potential harm.

It’s something we unavoidably have to do, and it’s essential.

Let’s not get too frustrated with our body for performing those actions.

Action:
- Coughing: Involves a forceful expulsion of air from the lungs through the mouth, often to clear the airways.
- Sneezing: Involves a sudden and forceful expulsion of air through the nose and mouth, usually triggered by irritation in the nasal passages.
Purpose:
- Coughing: Primarily clears irritants, mucus, or foreign substances from the lower airways and lungs.
- Sneezing: Clears irritants from the upper respiratory tract, particularly the nasal passages.
Sound:
- Coughing: Often produces a variety of sounds, depending on the cause and intensity.
- Sneezing: Typically produces a distinct and recognizable sound.
Frequency:
- Coughing: Can occur due to various reasons and may be more frequent during illness or exposure to irritants.
- Sneezing: Usually occurs in response to irritation caused by environmental factors or infections.
Physical Sensation:
- Coughing: Can be associated with discomfort in the throat or chest.
- Sneezing: Often involves a sudden and involuntary reaction with a sensation of relief after the sneeze.
Force:
- Coughing: Can vary in force, ranging from gentle to forceful.
- Sneezing: Generally involves a more forceful expulsion of air.
Duration:
- Coughing: Can be repetitive and prolonged, especially during respiratory illnesses.
- Sneezing: Tends to be a brief and sudden action.

Irritation Detection: The process often begins with the detection of irritants or foreign substances in the airways. These irritants can include dust, smoke, mucus, or even infections like colds or the flu.
Nervous System Trigger: When irritants are detected, sensory receptors in the airways send signals to the brainstem through the nervous system. This triggers the cough reflex.
Inhalation: The first step of a cough involves a deep inhalation, where you take in a significant amount of air.
Closure and Pressure Buildup: Once you’ve inhaled, your vocal cords close to prevent the irritant from entering further into the respiratory tract. The muscles in your chest and abdomen contract, building up pressure in the lungs.
Forceful Exhalation: The sudden release of the built-up pressure occurs through a forceful exhalation. This rapid expulsion of air from the lungs is what we perceive as a cough.
Clearing the Airway: The strong rush of air from the lungs helps to dislodge and expel irritants, mucus, or foreign particles that might be obstructing the airway.
Recovery and Relief: After the cough, the airways are cleared, and the irritation is often relieved. The cycle may repeat if the irritant persists.

Irritation Detection: When particles such as dust, pollen, or other irritants come into contact with the sensitive lining of the nasal passages, it triggers a reaction.
Nerve Stimulation: Sensory receptors in the nasal lining detect the irritation and send signals to the brainstem through the trigeminal nerve.
Brainstem Activation: The brainstem, the lower part of the brain responsible for vital functions, receives these signals and initiates the sneeze reflex.
Deep Inhalation: The reflex begins with a deep inhalation, where a significant amount of air is taken in rapidly.
Closing of Airway: Simultaneously, the soft palate (the back part of the roof of the mouth) closes off the nasal passages to prevent the irritants from entering further into the respiratory tract.
Forceful Exhalation: The body responds by rapidly expelling the trapped air through the mouth and nose in a forceful manner. This forceful expulsion is the sneeze itself.
Clearing Irritants: The sudden and forceful airflow dislodges and expels the irritants, clearing the nasal passages.
Eye Closure: The eyes often close involuntarily during a sneeze, which is thought to be a protective mechanism against potential debris being propelled into the eyes.
Relief: After a sneeze, the irritation is usually relieved, and the airways are cleared.

So far, we’ve delved into coughing and sneezing, which seem similar yet distinct from each other.

Was it too much?

Still, shouldn’t we be aware of and understand the unconscious actions of our body?

If you’re experiencing excessive coughing and sneezing, consider consulting a doctor for advice.

for our healthy life.