Why do I cough after I eat? Cough after eating food is caused due to disorders such as GERD, LPR, asthma, and other allergic reactions to food. These coughs may be moderate to much severe depending upon the type of allergic reactions and the production of histamine. The allergic reactions don’t have a proper cure but they can be treated with medicines and by adopting a good healthy lifestyle. One should take care regarding the intake of diet so that he/she could prevent himself from severe cough attacks.
Why do I cough after I eat?
There are a number of people who suffer from constant cough triggers after every meal. This could happen after the time they have had their meals or even without eating their meals too.
These coughs are basically the allergic coughs and need just a stimulus to act.
There are a number of causes due to which these types of cough may arise.
Some of these major causes are given below:
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asthma
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food allergies
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acid reflux
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Dysphagia, which means feeling a sort of difficulty while swallowing food.
Most of the air we breathe through our nasal cavity contains dust particles and some other allergic bacteria which are not good for the respiratory system. These dust particles are immediately reacted by the immune system as soon as they come inside your body.
The immune system reacts against the dust particles by make you cough so that the particles could immediately move out of your body.
So, whenever a person coughs, it is basically his/her body’s response against those harmful dust particles to keep them away from the respiratory system and getting rid of them by coughing them out.
Most of the causes of why a person coughs too much can be treated by changing or maintaining a person’s dietary habits and his/her intake of the medicines.
Summary:
Cough disorders result due to a number of diseases such as GERD, LPR, allergic reactions to pollen etc. Most commonly, when the food is eaten, the particles inside the food make their way towards the windpipe and come down towards the lungs, thereby result in cough.
Some of the most common disorders due to which sudden cough after a meal or in between gets stared are described below.
1. Acid indigestion and disorders related to it:
The movement of the acid present in stomach back towards the esophagus results in acid indigestion or more commonly it is described as a feeling of ‘heart burn’.
The lower part of esophagus which is also known as ‘the lower esophageal sphincter’ contains a large cluster of muscles. This cluster of muscles functions to help the food move efficiently and smoothly into the stomach by relaxing itself down.
This cluster of muscle has to be closed after a person has finished eating or there is no more food left to enter the digestive system.
Sometimes, it happens that this cluster of muscles still remains open, partially, which makes the acid present in the stomach to move up towards the esophagus resulting in a sensation of burning or acid indigestion.
This movement of acid towards the esophagus causes an irritation inside the esophagus which results in sudden and long lasting coughs.
Other common symptoms which result in acid indigestion are given below:
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A sore throat
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A bitter taste which is felt at the back of throat
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A burning sensation which is felt in the chest, this is commonly called ‘heart burn’
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A sour sensation in the mouth
1. Gastro esophageal indigestion disease (GERD):
Gastro esophageal reflux disease is among the most severe types of acid indigestion.
The most common symptom of a gastro esophageal reflux is a chronic cough which lasts even longer and happens when a person has just had his meal.
Other most frequent symptoms of a gastro esophageal reflux disease are given below:
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nausea or vomiting
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trouble swallowing
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belching
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to have acid indigestion problem at least two times a week
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wheezing
2. Laryngopharyngeal disorder (LPR):
LPR or Laryngopharyngeal reflux is most commonly referred to as a silent reflux because it happens frequently and doesn’t show any traditional symptoms before its emergence.
Laryngopharyngeal reflux is most commonly of the type of gastro esophageal reflux disease which involves the acid in the stomach to pass through the esophagus and into the larynx or may even enter a person’s nose.
A person could suffer from laryngopharyngeal reflux disease with gastro esophageal reflux disease in combination or without having a gastro esophageal reflux disease.
Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease can make a person suffer from cough disorders during the time he or she is eating a meal or even after he or she has done with eating their meals.
A person could also suffer from the cough disorders during the time he or she is talking to any other person, walking down on the road, or even if he or she is laughing.
All these situations require your muscles to expand and contract which result in sudden coughs.
Most common symptoms of a laryngopharyngeal reflux disease include:
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Postnasal drip which involves a feeling of something coming down towards the lower end of a person’s throat from his/her nasal passage
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A constant need of clearing up the throat
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Dysphonia, a condition in which a person’s sound becomes breathy like he or she is in lack of breath
Laryngopharyngeal reflux disorder can be managed with proper medications.
If Laryngopharyngeal reflux disorder is left untreated, it can eventually result in ulcers of the throat and certain types of voice disorders so it is advised to treat the Laryngopharyngeal reflux disorder as early as possible.
Acid indigestion and disorders of this type (LPR, GERD) don’t have a cure but by using different medications which are suitable for the treatment of these disorders.
Other related home remedies can actually help a person in better management of these types of disorders.
2. Infections of the respiratory tract:
Many coughs are brought about by upper respiratory diseases, yet these coughs generally clear up inside half a month. Any cough enduring two months or longer is considered persistent.
A persistent cough disorder subsequent to eating could be brought about by a disease that was never treated appropriately.
A cough brought about by a disease seems like a brutal, dry, industrious disorder. This disorder makes its way through the respiratory tract, which can result in prompt trigger of more coughs.
Coughs brought about by bacterial infections are ■■■■■■ to treat due to the reason that constant swelling in the airways and coughing at the same time break the process of healing.
On the off chance that the cough doesn’t disappear, an individual’s primary care physician might recommend medicines which act to reduce the swelling, like breathed in or steroids for the ■■■■ cavity.
3. Asthma disorder:
Asthma is an ongoing infection that influences the lungs. It may result in wheezing, chest congestion, and constant cough. Asthma ordinarily begins in adolescence, however it can likewise show more effects when a person has grown up.
Cough brought about by asthma is typically more effective late around evening time or promptly in the first part of the day.
During the condition of asthma triggers, the symptoms get worse. Numerous things that can cause asthma triggers, including sulphites, which are largely found in beer and wine, onions which are usually pickled in some solution of salt and vinegar, and carbonated drinks.
On the off chance that you will in general hack in the wake of eating or drinking any of these, asthma could be the reason.
An individual can effectively overcome the triggers of asthma by utilizing drugs and staying away from normal asthma triggers.
4. Allergic reactions to food:
Food sensitivities are more likely to develop inside a person’s body at an early stage, however they can strike at whatever stage in life.
There is a likelihood that a person could get allergic from the food which he or she is eating for quite a long time. An allergic reaction generally occurs within a short time period, typically between two hours, after a person has just eaten the meal.
The symptoms of asthma which cause allergic reactions differ from one person to another. These symptoms of asthma sometimes get worse and affect the respiratory tract by causing inflammation inside the whole respiratory system which ultimately results in sudden cough reactions.
Some other symptoms which result due to allergic reactions from a food include the shortness or lack of breath and wheezing.
There are some cases which are rare but happen so when an allergic reaction to a food leads to a disorder known as anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is an extremely severe disorder which threatens a person’s life by affecting the whole process of breathing. It is advised that every person should know the symptoms of anaphylaxis so that timely treatment could be carried out against anaphylaxis.
5. Dysphagia
A disease in which a person feels difficulty when swallowing the food down is known as Dysphagia.
People who suffer from dysphagia have to suffer from a condition in which their food or the drink takes a longer time to reach their stomach which makes the swallowing of food difficult for them or even seems to be impossible.
The consequences of dysphagia include constant coughs and blocking of the mouth when the food is being swollen down by a person. People with dysphagia feel that the food they have just eaten is struck in their throat before it could reach their stomach.
This sensation of food being trapped inside the throat can ultimately make a person to cough more. There are a number of causes which result in dysphagia.
These causes include:
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Gastro esophageal reflux disease
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Acid indigestion
A person should immediately reach towards his/her doctor to diagnose dysphagia. In some cases, doctors ask their patients to do a little exercise daily to overcome dysphagia. The other times, the symptoms of dysphagia become so worse that they can’t be treated with simple exercises. Rather, the patient has to go through surgeries and certain treatments such as the endoscopic treatment for dysphagia.
6. Aspiration pneumonia disorder:
When smaller particles of food are inhaled through the air into the respiratory system, these particles along with the air which is inhaled, reach towards the lungs where these particles are settled down.
These particles aren’t good for the respiratory system as they contain microbial infections and harmful bacteria which can result in different kinds of chest infections.
Apart from being inhaled directly from the air, sometimes these particles and droplets reach the lungs by no other means, but the food a person consumes. It happens so when a person eats a meal and the smaller particles of food go into the wrong opening which ends up in the lungs.
It is a natural phenomenon that whatever particles reach the lungs, they are ultimately cleared out by the lungs which are much healthier to do this, but if in any case these particles or harmful microbial bacteria aren’t well-cleared up by the lungs they remain inside the lungs and cause a severe disease which is known as aspiration pneumonia.
People who suffer from dysphagia or acid indigestion have a much higher chance of developing aspiration pneumonia than those who don’t have these diseases.
The most common symptom of aspiration pneumonia is a sudden cough which sounds wet and occurs after a person has just eaten his/her meal.
Greenish or reddish mucus could also be coughed out a person who suffers from aspiration pneumonia which is the most common symptom of this disease.
Some other symptoms which show aspiration pneumonia are given below:
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a painful or difficulty in swallowing the food down
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a sudden cough or breath which comes out with a whistling sound after the meal
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more saliva than is usually produced
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a recurring pneumonia infection
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a fever that arises in a short time of one hour after a person has just eaten his meal
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heartburn
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a sensation of fatigue or shortness of breath
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chest congestion after the food is eaten or something drunk
If aspiration pneumonia not treated timely, it may result in serious infections and disorders, such as the dysfunction of respiratory system or lung abscess.
How can a cough be prevented after a meal?
Irrespective of the reasons behind cough which occurs after a person has just had his meal, the cough can actually be prevented by following some guidelines.
There are some simple measures which could be taken to avoid these constant and sudden cough triggers and make a person safe from the ill-effects of aspiration pneumonia:
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A person should eat slowly and is advised not to swallow the food immediately as soon as it goes into the mouth.
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A person should maintain his daily in which he should enlist all those food items which made him cough during the previous months.
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A person should avoid eating the food during cough as it may lead to the condition in which the food could choke inside his throat which is more painful and harmful at the same time.
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A person should daily take all the medicines especially those medicines which are recommended for acid indigestion and asthma attacks.
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A person should fill a glass of water and keep that with him when he sits for the meal. Also, a person should take as many sips of water while eating as much possible.
How can a person prevent himself from cough at the night time?
Depending upon the reasons behind sudden and severe coughs, there are certain home-remedies and procedures along with some lifestyle measures which a person should adopt in order to get relief from coughs which occur at the night in adults as well as children.
1. Keep your head above from the bed:
Allergy causing agents which are basically the irritants, they become active when a person is lying straight enough.
In order to break the activity of these allergic irritants, it is recommended to lay your head on some kind of cushion or pillow so that the allergic particles couldn’t directly reach towards your throat and you become safe from the triggers of coughs happening at the night time.
2. Keep the air of your room moist:
Air which is mostly dry and warmer in nature can affect the respiratory tract as well as a person’s throat. When there is enough cold temperature, people usually prefer to turn on their heaters.
These heaters aren’t suitable for some people as they trigger their allergic symptoms. These people start to cough more as soon as they are exposed to the heat.
The allergic symptoms which arise from the turning on of heaters happen due to the dust particles which get accumulate on the front side of heater.
To reduce the allergic symptoms which get rise from the heaters when they are turned on, can be reduced by the use of a humidifier. Humidifier is a device which functions in maintaining the atmosphere of a space by maintaining its moisture.
Humidifiers maintain a moist atmosphere in the room by producing a moist air. This moist air, in turn, makes a person’s throat much better.
3. Use honey in your diet:
| Honey | Lubricates the mucus |
|---|---|
| Probiotics | Reduce the likelihood of getting a cold |
| Pineapple | Contain bromelain enzyme which reduces cough |
| Soup of chicken | Relieve mucus congestion in the nasal cavity |
| Liquorice root tea | Makes the mucus thinner and treats cough |
Honey is a natural remedy for a number of ailments. It has a unique characteristic that it helps to lubricate the tightness or agents which cause tightening inside your body.
Honey or other drinks which are hot, they help in making the mucus soft so that it could move downwards away from a person’s throat and thereby releasing the effects of coughs.
It is advised to take two tea-spoons of honey and mix them gently in a tea which doesn’t contain caffeine in it, for instance a tea made up of herbs.
Drink the mixture of honey and tea just before you go to sleep. However, there is a restriction that children who are less than one year of age shouldn’t be given the honey for their coughs.
4. Maintain the gastro esophageal reflux disorder (GERD):
When a person lies straight for sleep, the acid present in his stomach makes a much easier way to move backwards towards his esophagus. This problem is referred to as an acid reflux or acid indigestion.
Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a persistent disorder which results in acid indigestion and makes a person cough more especially at night.
There are some recommended lifestyle habits which a person could adopt for in order to stay away from coughs which result due to gastro esophageal reflux disorder.
These lifestyle habits include:
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A person should stop eating those foods which trigger his gastro esophageal reflux disorder. These foods could be noted down in a diary if person finds a difficulty in remembering them.
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It is recommended not to lie straight enough after almost two hours a person has just eaten his meal.
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Keep something down your head, whether a cushion or a pillow when you go for a sleep. Lying straight on the bed with head not raised above can result in gastro esophageal reflux disorder.
How can severe cough be prevented?
Coughs are usually the result of any microbial bacteria that sits inside a person’s throat or other particles which are usually dusty and make a person’s throat sensitive resulting in coughs.
Usually coughs are triggered and then these coughs may go without using any medication, but those which occur late at night are usually an alarm of a severe infection or health disorder.
For instance,
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A person whose heart has stopped functioning may face sudden and strong cough attacks which are persistent enough and occur late at night.
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Respiratory disorders such as pneumonia, bronchitis infection, and COPD also result in severe and persistent cough attacks.
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One other disorder which could arise from cough is the lung cancer but its probability is lower to happen due to cough at night.
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A blood clot made inside a person’s lungs is also one of the disorder can happen in a person’s lungs due to severe cough, but its probability is also lower to happen due to nigh-time severe cough.
| Honey tea | Relieves night-time cough |
|---|---|
| Ginger | Treats dry cough especially in asthma |
| Water | Makes the body hydrated and treats cough |
| Steam | Softens the mucus |
| Herbs such as Marshmallow root | Treats sore throat and cough |
| Warm salt-water | Clears the throat from mucus |
| Soup | Give a warm effect and treat the cold |
Summary:
Cough disorders result from different allergic reactions. These disorders can actually be prevented by adopted a healthier lifestyle and using certain techniques such as lying the head above a pillow, using humidifier to maintain the level of moisture, using honey and lemon in warm water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
People ask a number of questions related to cough disorders. Some of these questions and their answers are given below:
1. Why do people start coughing as soon as they eat their meal?
This is due to the reason that lower esophageal sphincter remains open even after a person has finished his meal allowing acid to move up towards the esophagus.
There is a strong band of muscles which is in the form of cluster at the lower end of esophagus; this cluster of muscles is what known as ‘lower esophageal sphincter’.
When a person takes food in his mouth, the food has to move down towards the stomach. This lower esophageal sphincter is initially closed.
As soon as the food makes its way downwards towards the stomach, the lower esophageal sphincter opens ad it remains so in this position until all the food has reached towards the stomach.
After a person has eaten his meal, the lower esophageal sphincter automatically closes as there is no stimulus for more food coming towards it.
If in any case, the lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t close properly and is left open, the acid from a person’s stomach makes it way out of the stomach and moves upward towards the esophagus.
This backward movement of acid from the stomach towards the esophagus results in coughing. That is why most people cough after they have just eaten their meal.
2. Why do people make their throat clear after they have just eaten their meal?
People do clear their throat due to a disorder known as Laryngopharyngeal reflux or LPR.
Laryngopharyngeal reflux disorder results when acidic as well as non-acidic matter from a person’s stomach moves upwards towards his throat which gives a feeling of discomfort and makes the person to constantly clear his throat.
3. Why is mucus produced in a person’s body after he has eaten his meal?
Histamine is generally released by the brain if a person is suffering from some allergic reactions. In case of an allergic response, histamine gets released inside a person’s body. There are some foods in which histamine is naturally present. These foods when taken inside a person’s body combine with the natural capability of histamine production in a person’s body and thereby increase the level of mucus production in a person’s body.
4. Is it possible that a food might cause a cough?
Yes, there are some foods which can make a person cough after he has just eaten them. These foods increase the level of phlegm production inside a person’s body.
The example of such group of food includes dairy products. These dairy products include:
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Milk
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Cheese
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Cream
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Butter
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Yogurt
There are a number of individuals who show allergic symptoms after they have eaten the above dairy products as their body increases the level of phlegm production which makes them to cough after they have eaten their meal.
5. How can a person stop or break the production of mucus inside his body?
The level of mucus production can be stopped inside a person’s body by following the given techniques:
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Clean the throat with salty water which should be a little warmer
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Make the air moist by using a humidifier
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Raise the level of head by keeping some down like a cushion or pillow
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Drink more water
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Avoid fragrances, pollen, pollution, other chemicals which basically act as stimulus for allergic reactions
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If a person smokes, he should stop it; otherwise he might face severe allergic reactions.
6. Is it possible to stop coughs which occur after the meal?
Yes, by following the methods given below, a person can stop his coughs which occur after a meal.
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Eat the food slowly
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Try to drink more water in between the meal
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Make a diary in which there should be a record made for the foods which trigger allergic reactions inside a person’s body
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All recommended medicines should be taken on time
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Take a pause from the meal if sudden cough comes in between the meal
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Keep the atmosphere of room moist by using a humidifier so that the throat could get dry
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Use acid indigestion medicines for acid reflux disorders
7. Does apple helps to reduce the level of mucus production inside a person’s body?
Yes, Apples are a natural source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps fight against the inflammation of the respiratory as well as digestive tract which reduces the mucus production and strengthens a person’s immune system.
8. Does honey proves to be beneficial against mucus production?
Yes, honey is one of the best natural supplement which fights against the mucus by making it soft so that it could move away from the infectious area.
If a person suffers from mucus problem, it is advised to use honey as it makes the mucus soft so that it could make its way down from the area where it is present.
By adding 1 teaspoon of honey in a warm glass of water along with half a lemon in it, this helps to clear away all the mucus built in a particular area.
9. Which fruit proves to be beneficial against mucus?
Blueberries
Blueberries have an advantage that they are naturally filled with vitamins which fight against the mucus productions thereby releasing the symptoms and triggers of cough.
Blueberries have an advantage that they contain a large amount of anti-oxidants in them which are not present in such amount in any of the fruits or vegetables.
This is why blueberries keep a person’s body healthy and give him a good health.
10. Should phlegm be spitted out by a person?
When phlegm from the lungs moves up and reaches the throat, a person’s body tries to remove it from the throat at the earliest due to a feeling of discomfort.
Spitting the mucus out to get rid of it from the throat is healthier than swallowing the mucus.
It is advised to use nasal spray or rinse the throat with warm water to clear the throat from mucus.
Conclusion:
Cough is a disorder which results from different allergic reactions such as asthma, food allergies, etc. Cough can also occur due to the underlying diseases such as gastro esophageal disorder, Laryngopharyngeal disorder, etc.
Cough disorder can actually be prevented by adopting a suitable lifestyle and changing the diet. Some diets are not suitable to your health so keep a record of them to get prevention from cough triggers.
The production and clearance of mucus from throat can be carried out by using honey and warm water. Hone and warm water are a natural way of clearing the mucus as they make it soft so that it could move away.
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