Pay attention! A great war is imminent! The defenders are the nose, and the attackers are the mouth, aiming to seize ownership of "breathing"! However, the battle is not easy. Three gatekeeping generals of the nose step forward to fight... Let’s see how they use their unique tactics to protect the nose!
First Defender—Nasal Hair
Defense Rating: ★★★★★
Powerful Barrier
Nasal hair blocks dust and bacteria in the air from entering the nasal cavity, preventing respiratory diseases. It also propels attached bacteria into the stomach via ciliary movement, where stomach acid eliminates them.
Temperature Regulation and Humidification
Covering the nasal vestibule’s skin and mucosa, nasal hair aids in heat dissipation when pores dilate, maintaining constant nasal temperature. It warms cold air during inhalation, keeping nasal mucosa moist to prevent rhinitis and nosebleeds.
Tactile Assistance
Nasal hair acts as a tactile sensor, transmitting external scents to the nasal cavity to stimulate emotions and appetite.
When larger intruders like insects invade, nasal hair blocks them and immediately alerts the nervous system headquarters, summoning the second general to eliminate them.
Second Defender—Sneezing
Attack Rating: ★★★★★
Foreign Object Expulsion
When the nasal cavity or upper respiratory tract is irritated (e.g., by pollen, dust, smoke, or foreign objects), sneezing uses rapid airflow to expel these irritants. During respiratory infections like the flu, sneezing helps discharge pathogens, reducing further internal spread.
Mental Clarity
Sneezing increases thoracic pressure and muscle contraction, boosting lung capacity. This enhances oxygen intake and carbon dioxide expulsion, alleviating brain hypoxia, refreshing the mind, and restoring alertness.
With sneezing triggered, the third general finally enters the fray!
Third Defender—Nasal Mucus
Comprehensive Rating: ★★★★★
Combining nasal hair’s barrier and humidification functions with sneezing’s expulsion capabilities:
Moisture Retention
Nasal mucus keeps respiratory mucosa hydrated. In dry environments, it prevents throat dryness and pain.
Filtration
As a natural filter, mucus traps dust, pollen, and large particles. Containing lysozyme, it inhibits and dissolves bacteria, ensuring cleaner air enters the body.
Foreign Object Expulsion
Blowing the nose removes attached dust, bacteria, or debris, maintaining nasal freshness.
Unique Ability—Infection Control
Thick mucus proteins reduce bacterial and viral activity, effectively preventing infections.
The Mouth’s Plight
Meanwhile, the mouth’s forces are exhausted—soldiers weary, faces gaunt, strength depleted.
Three generals have fallen, and prior misuse of "breathing" has left troops weakened, manifesting symptoms like:
Bad Breath: Increased oral bacteria and dryness cause foul odors.
Snoring: Relaxed tongue during mouth breathing narrows airways, worsening sleep apnea.
Fatigue: Low oxygen levels lead to physical exhaustion.
Tooth Decay: Dry mouths lose protective barriers, allowing bacterial proliferation.
Facial Deformity: Poor maxillary development causes misaligned teeth and facial distortion.
Infection Risk: Oral bacteria strain the immune system, raising respiratory infection risks.
Increased Stress: Chronic mouth breathing may trigger anxiety or depression.
With three generals defending, the nose’s gates remain unbreached, securing permanent ownership of "breathing." Meanwhile, the mouth’s futile "mouth breathing" harms health, stunts growth, disrupts life, and ultimately loses to "nasal breathing"!
