Cough reflex

In which Cough reflex it is a process occurring in the human body that cannot be suppressed arbitrarily. It is used, for example, when harmful elements have been deposited in the bronchi. The cough reflex is one of the body's own protective measures.

What is the cough reflex?

The cough reflex is involuntary, which means that it is not controlled by humans. It arises in a neurological way through several switching stations.

The receptors for the cough reflex can be located in the mucous membrane in the area of ​​the upper airways. Receptors usually consist of sensory cells. They transmit information from the environment to the brain by translating them into specific stimuli and passing them on to neurons. In the case of the cough reflex, the receptors are predominantly located in the larynx, trachea and bronchi. In addition, some can also be found in the lung membrane, but their proportion is much lower. The signals reach the medulla oblongata via the vagus nerve, the brain nerve. This is part of the central nervous system in the brain. This is also where the human body's cough center is located.

A cough reflex is typical in some diseases. These include cold symptoms, for example.

Function & task

The cough reflex is inevitable for health. So it is always noticeable when, for example, foreign bodies have penetrated the bronchi. These are expelled by the reflex so that no further complaints or illnesses can follow.

The cough reflex itself arises in the brain. After receiving information about an intruder, the brain sends out certain stimuli that affect one of the larynx muscles. The musculature tightens, which narrows the glottis. The foreign body is removed from the airways by suddenly starting breathing, which is often pressure-like. The air only comes out when the valve of the larynx opens.

The breathing air that is expelled during such a cough can under certain circumstances reach a speed close to the sound limit. A pressure of around 400 mbar can be determined within the chest cavity. There is enormous violence behind the urge to cough.

However, discomfort can result from this as part of a dry cough. The dry cough has no purifying function. Instead, it cannot be ruled out that his pressure will damage the surrounding structures. This means that the cough reflex is not always a useful process. In most cases, however, it can save the body from further problems.

At the same time, coughing cannot be avoided as soon as the signal for the process is controlled by the brain via the nerve tracts. The various elements of the airways are cleaned by the urge to cough. However, as a person ages, the excitability of the receptors can decrease, so that not every foreign body coughs up.

As a rule, the urge to cough takes on an extremely important task. It is always used when foreign bodies have to be smuggled out of the organism. Sometimes mucus comes out from coughing. In the context of a disease, this includes the causative pathogens. The urge to cough can help the disease to subside more quickly and the person affected regains their health.

You can find your medication here

Illnesses & ailments

The cough reflex is usually always accompanied by complaints. It occurs either when bacteria or other pathogens colonize the organism, or when, for example, residues get into the airways instead of the esophagus while eating.

For example, the flu leads to an urge to cough. Sometimes the reflex becomes noticeable even when tumor cells have settled in the area of ​​the lungs. If no further symptoms such as fever or runny nose can be identified and the cough reflex occurs over a long period of time without any improvements being achieved with the help of medication, a doctor should be consulted.

However, the cough reflex is not always accompanied by discomfort. It can also cause other symptoms of its own. Most people have suffered from a dry cough while having a common cold. Dry cough often occurs in a dry form and leaves reddened mucous membranes, which may be painful. This often creates a further incentive to cough, which causes those affected to find themselves in a kind of vicious circle.

Furthermore, the sensitivity of the receptors can be restricted due to various factors. Primarily, the sensitivity decreases with increasing age. In addition, however, certain substances can also be responsible for the process. Studies have shown that sensitivity is limited in people who frequently smoke secondarily. This is especially true for children who come into contact with smoke at an early age. A low cough reflex can cause discomfort in the further course of the child's life if foreign bodies are no longer sufficiently removed from the lungs. Because the pollutants can increasingly accumulate in the lungs, children who grow up in a family with high tobacco consumption often suffer from various diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis and other ailments that affect the respiratory tract. Accordingly, it is advisable to step outside the door while smoking so that the child's important cough reflex can develop optimally.