What makes you cough when you eat?

Have you ever had a meal that made you cough uncontrollably? Whether it’s pizza, popcorn, spicy foods or even just bread, it can be frustrating to have an enjoyable dining experience interrupted by sudden coughing fits. In this article, we’ll explore the various reasons why certain foods can make us cough and what we can do to prevent or alleviate this discomfort.

The Anatomy of a Cough

Before diving into the reasons behind food-induced coughs, let’s first understand how a cough works. Essentially, a cough is the body’s way of clearing out any foreign particles or irritants from our respiratory system such as dust or smoke. It involves contracting your diaphragm and forcing air rapidly up through your throat to expel anything causing irritation in the upper respiratory tract.

Very often after taking bites of hot peppers you might feel sensation like there is fire in your mouth due to capsaicin which tricks receptors in your tongue making them believe their surface has been touched by something dangerously hot – so they induce pain signals being sent on nerve pathways already activated by inhalation of spores/particles/dust/thick sauces/etcetera etcetera , thus triggering a sneeze/cough response from lungs’ alveoli

Acid Reflux

One major reason for food-related coughing could be acid reflux disease. This occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus – which connects our throat to rest of digestive tract- irritating its lining causing heartburn and sometimes leadings us to cover our mouths with both hands and brace for impact–Cue foamy intrusions in throats before letting out big “eeeeep!”

Symptoms associated with GERD include frequent throat clearing along with persistent dryness/soreness/irritable-tickle reflex(es) plaguing other non-acidic coffee-break topics such as that guy who always leaves the break room dirty whenever he uses it.

Aspiration

Another possible cause of food-induced coughing could be aspiration. This occurs when small particles of the foods or liquids we consume accidentally make their way into our lungs instead of going down to its proper destination- The stomach via esophagus. When that happens, the lungs try to clear themselves by triggering a cough reflex.

So next time you are enjoying your meal with friends and notice them suddenly reaching out for tissues, don’t just judge them yet because they might have inhaled some seafood stuck between teeth -and for all you know- they may be trying discreetly force air through without getting caught up in awkward moments which we all want to avoid occasionally.

Allergies

Allergies may also play a role in causing food-related coughs. If someone is allergic to certain foods, consuming these can lead not only runny nose , eyes tearing but also itching wheezing and cough alongwith scratchy pain while swallowing anything including saliva as well.

Now take a short break here , and find this funny meme I saw on reddit yesterday about allergies:

Why did the tomato turn red?

It saw the salad dressing!

Let’s now continue with explanations

While even minor symptoms like those mentioned above should alert mind towards self-adjustments (i.e elimination diet), more severe signs such as hives or difficulty breathing merits going straightaway emergency department! Strange that sometimes our immune system decides turn on us unintentionally … sigh

Dysphagia

For people who struggle swallowing even normal textures (nothing too chunky) due feeling sensation blocked throat areas through neurological problems post-stroke/trauma/surgery/anomalies/birth defects etcetera then coughing frequency increases significantly would induce last-in-first-out concept an attempt in clearing malplaced particles before consequence(s).

Patients encounters varying degrees dysphagia conditions- some of them losing their appetite while others need to avoid crunchy or crumbly foods entirely as they might trigger unexpected coughing bouts if not mindful whilst eating!

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

Laryngopharyngeal reflux is a condition where acid flows back from the stomach into the throat and can go up all way upto vocal cords. This leads to chronic symptoms like hoarseness, soreness , tickling feeling alongside needing frequent clearing throad sensations and… you guessed it – coughs!

It sounds pretty serious but fortunately it can be managed fairly well through lifestyle modifications medication therapy plus targeted speech therapies with professionals on board help reinforce healthy swallowing patterns amongst an array lpr-patient community facing adjustments off late!

Remedies for Food Related Coughing

Now that we’ve explored various causes of food-induced coughing fits, let’s delve into ways that may alleviate this unpleasant experience:

Tapping your chest lightly

This helps moving secretions caught somewhere down along trajectory fixed tubes which could benefit overall airflow function . Gentle actions are better than nothing after all.

Drinking Water Between Bites

Water always has been held in high regard being essential fluidity force multiplier existing anywhere there’s life particularly planet Earth however drinking water while have bite(s) helps keeping those minuscule particles nudging alveoli tucked inside tracheobronchial airways thus reducing urge stimulating irritation receptors conveying message “hey something doesn’t belong here-clear this area now!”

We should note that carbonated beverages increase chances aspiration hazard tremendously so best avoiding soda pop during meal hours due increasing bubble cavitations popping spores dust going towards our nose & mouth oral vehicle. Forgo soft-drinks when dining-out with friends indeed.

Chewing Slowly and Carefully

This technique involves taking smaller bites and chewing each thoroughly before swallowing. Doing this can help prevent food from getting stuck in the throat and causing coughing. Ironically, it’s a good habit to have as this makes us appreciate both texture flavors without compromise leastways at table-manners level!

Avoiding Certain Foods

Certain foods are more likely to cause irritation than others due their inherent reactive substances floating/tugging underlining integrity ->red-alert sort of reactions- thereby activating our body’s defence mechanism , hence why if prone allergies /hives or decided make move plant-based orientation start reading labels identifying everything consuming certainly becoming aware what enters belly each day critical while still retaining humorousness for sanity!
On that note these exemplary aforementioned delightful maladies will happily come say “hi” in everyday life (such as gluten casein soy etc.) sometimes disguised behind fancy terminologies celebrating themselves with highflying syntactic structures only known – so prepare yourself…

Steam Inhalation

A practical way of accomplishing soothing airwaves comes via good ole fashioned pot heated enough provides steam! It not only calms mind but also serves loosening congestions allowing locked particles’ passage through tracheobronchial channels relieving stacked-up queasiness blocking-breathing feeling(s)- helping clearing off internal plumbing accompanied by single non-contagious sneeze per occasion

Conclusion

In conclusion, there can be several reasons why you may experience coughing fits while eating certain foods. From acid reflux disease to allergy sensitivity, each individual reacts differently based on the circumstances they find themselves facing . However instead focus worrying how looks whilst extending condolences mumbling word enquire whether guests want seconds take mental notes reminders later self-improvement tips get equipped everytime new relationship entree(s) arrives place for dining experiences sans-surprises; following these ~simply bewildering~ ideas help managing & enjoying meals better along respiratory care keeping calmer breathing quieter conversation conducive overall health plus mood enlightenment whenever we discover added ingredient in humor .

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