The Gross Science of Sneezing, Coughing, and Vomiting

The Gross Science of Sneezing, Coughing, and Vomiting — page 1
INTRODUCTION Picture it a serious math test is in progress but you can’t focus on it Something’s building up inside you a powerful urge your body can’t fight down Maybe your nose is tingling Maybe your throat is itchy Maybe your stomach is hurting and twitching You can feel the unpleasant sensation rising up through your chest your throat maybe up your nose Whatever’s about to happen you know it’s going to be loud and potentially super gross This could be the most embarrassing moment ever Why does the body have to do something so icky What possible good can come out of sneezing coughing or vomiting Well a lot of good actually The reaction or reflex that causes a person to sneeze cough or throw up means that something is wrong inside one’s body and the reflex happens when the body is trying to protect itself It’s cleaning up and throwing out any unwanted visitors We think of sneezing coughing or vomiting as symptoms of being sick However often these reflexes kick in to repel a change in the physical environment such as a nonsmoker being around people using tobacco products The reflexes might even work together in some cases a person entering a very dusty room is sure to sneeze thanks to all the irritating particles floating around but enough inhalations of the dust and the internal buildup will produce a coughing fit too Every part of the body has a purpose and what may seem totally disgusting can actually be very helpful to one’s overall health The amount of snot produced by sneezing or its color can provide a valuable valuable insight into what’s causing that particular symptom The difference between a dry cough and a wet one which can be expelling a lot of harmful germs is crucial to understand 4