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.
