Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Getting Winded
May 1, 2024
Discover the odd yet fascinating experience of getting the wind knocked out of you. The hosts break down the role of the diaphragm and the solar plexus in this startling phenomenon. They tackle myths and share surprising recovery techniques, all while weaving in personal stories for added humor. Learn about the body's immediate reactions and how to handle breathlessness with practical advice. It's a lighthearted dive into a common experience that many find daunting!
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Ruby's Winded Experience
- Chuck's daughter, Ruby, recently had the wind knocked out of her at school.
- Chuck recounts a similar childhood experience falling from a tree, highlighting the scary feeling of not being able to breathe.
The Science of Getting Winded
- Getting the wind knocked out of you, or phrenospasm, involves the phrenic nerve and diaphragm.
- The diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle, controls breathing by contracting and expanding.
Diaphragm and Solar Plexus
- The diaphragm usually works involuntarily, controlled by the nervous system.
- A blow to the solar plexus, near the diaphragm, can temporarily paralyze it, causing the inability to breathe.