Why do we drink water after coughing if our windpipe controls our respiratory system and the water goes down our esophagus?
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The epiglottis which is like a huge flap controls which solids or liquids go into our airway or down our esophagus to our stomach. It flaps back and forth depending on if we’re eating/drinking or breathing. When we have something “go down the wrong tube” and cause that coughing fit, it’s usually doesn’t fully go down the lungs which makes coughing it up effective enough. The improvement in our coughing after drinking liquid is soothing, however usually ineffective in actually removing that residual liquid and it’s likely it goes down into the lungs if not coughed up. Fortunately, if you are an averagely healthy individual, this won’t harm you at all. Especially if it’s water. But, if you are an 80 year old, immunocompromised person, do not drink water after coughing.
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