How do we breathe from nose when we eat?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the physiological processes of breathing and swallowing, particularly how individuals manage to breathe through the nose while eating. It touches on the mechanics of these processes and their implications for different age groups and health conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how breathing is possible while eating if the epiglottis closes, indicating a lack of understanding of the mechanics involved.
  • Several participants assert that breathing does not occur during swallowing, with one noting personal experiences of attempting to do both simultaneously, leading to choking.
  • A participant highlights the evolutionary advantage of being able to chew without restricting breathing, particularly for herbivores.
  • Another participant mentions that infants can breathe and swallow simultaneously up to about six months of age, suggesting a developmental aspect to the discussion.
  • A participant with COPD shares their experience of needing to breathe through the mouth while chewing, indicating the challenges faced by individuals with certain health conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that breathing does not occur while swallowing, but there are differing views on the ability of infants to manage both processes simultaneously and the implications for individuals with specific health conditions.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the mechanics of breathing and swallowing, particularly in relation to different age groups and health conditions. The discussion does not clarify the physiological mechanisms in detail.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in human physiology, parents of infants, and those with respiratory conditions may find the insights shared in this discussion relevant.

sameeralord
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If the epiglottis closes when we eat how come we can eat food with our mouth closed, how can we breathe then. Obviously this can be done so I'm missing something. Please help Thanks :smile:
 
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You don't breathe when you swallow.
 
Blenton said:
You don't breathe when you swallow.

Thanks.Overthinking as usual by me :smile:
 
This appears to me to be a significant advantage, especially for herbivores. The ability to chew and not restrict breathing allows for the crushing of the food over extended periods of time.
 
Blenton said:
You don't breathe when you swallow.

I have unwillingly tried this many times and doing both at the same time leads to (near) choking. I am obviously still alive, so one might claim that "it worked" but I guess this is due to the two processes somehow organising themselves sequentially after a bit of a "bottleneck" (the choking).

Warning: I don't recommend you try this at home!
 
My daughter's pediatrician told me that infants can breathe and swallow at the same time, up to about 6 months of age.
 
I have to be extremely careful, with the COPD. Frequently I have to breathe through my mouth while chewing. It's really tricky to get the air past the food without inhaling something solid.
 
lisab said:
My daughter's pediatrician told me that infants can breathe and swallow at the same time, up to about 6 months of age.

Definitely true. They'd suffocate while breastfeeding otherwise.
 
CRGreathouse said:
Definitely true. They'd suffocate while breastfeeding otherwise.

I'd be more than happy to volunteer as a test subject for that.
 

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