CHOKING- COUGHING- SNEEZING

CHOKING, COUGHING, SNEEZING

 Large particles of undesirable substances bring, fortunately, an immediate response from the respiratory system. If food accidentally starts down the wrong way, into the lungs rather than the stomach, there are explosive protests from the lungs. 

Normally, swallowing blocks off the glottis, halts breathing briefly, and assures correct division of air and food. It should be noted, however, that this automatic activity may be lacking in an unconscious person, and if a drink is poured through clenched teeth it may proceed straight into the lungs. 

The automatic system is not 100 percent perfect even during consciousness, and many a fruit pit, bite of food, or other object has gone into the windpipe and has had to be coughed up or, in some cases, forcibly retrieved. The protective reflex becomes sluggish after heavy alcohol intake. 

A cough can be a very powerful force. Involved in it are a slight breathing in, closing of the glottis, buildup of pressure, and a sudden release of the trapped air-at speeds of as much as 500 feet per second. A sneeze can be even more explosive. And attempts to muffle a sneeze, to quiet it down, to make it polite, or to avoid it can sometimes lead to nosebleed, ringing in the ears, or sinus trouble.