Category

Coughs & Colds

Category

After a pretty “cold and flu-free” autumn/winter transition last year, owing to the hard lock down during this time, “normal” respiratory infections are back with a bang this autumn! Snots and sneezes, coughs and wheezes…we are seeing it all! The cough is a protective reflex, essentially to protect the vulnerable chest from foreign particles, mucus and infections. An occasional cough is normal and necessary. A persistent cough is a sign that something is going on! The average cough: Can fill a 1.5 Litre bottle with air Forces out 3000 small salivary /mucus droplets At a speed of 80 km/hour! Now that helps to explain why masks are needed during pandemics to prevent illnesses spread by coughs! Where do coughs come from? Coughs occur when our cough receptors are stimulated from mucus or irritants or inflammation. Cough receptors are scattered all over our airways! Coughs can come from: THE UPPER…