Are two hazardous diseases of mankind. Parents nightmare since their child’s birth. These are the most fearsome diseases of pediatric OPDs. A single episode of single strike of either of them drive parents and pediatrician in to panic attack and you and me are sure that I am not exaggerating.
But sneeze and cough are reflexes. What is a reflex? Imagine a fly running into your eyes and in split of seconds you close your eyelid and the fly hit your eyelid and now your eyes are safely guarded. A happy ending. But sneeze and cough even being reflexes drive us panic. Why? Aren’t these reflexes useful? Are they dangerous signs? Is it true that they are preferably avoided? Why?
Inner surface of your nostrils, throat, trachea and lungs are very covered by secretary cells, sensitive cells and lung surface again with tissues capable of carrying out gaseous exchange. These alveoli surface should not be disturbed in any case as it might cause life hazard. Nose to alveoli is our respiratory unit. Dust, microbes, humidity, altered temperature of air etc could cause irritation to alveolar layer. Hence any such ENEMY crossing nostril which is coarse enough to be stopped by nasal hair to minutest dust may not only be blocked but would be thrown away from nose or throat by a highly pressurized drift of air pushed from the lung depending on the area of reflex elision.
One,
Next time when you sneeze or cough, please be happy and be grateful for the healthy functioning of these reflexes. Every and any attempt to stop these reflexes is a rebellious act against your own body.
Believe me