What happens when we sneeze

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Sneezing

Sneezing, which is a protective reaction of the body, occurs when receptors located on the mucous membranes of the nasal cavities are irritated. The result is an uncontrolled, sudden burst of air passing through the nasopharynx from the lungs.

Table of contents:

Sneezing mechanism

To understand what sneezing is, it is necessary to take into account that it is an unconditioned reflex that plays a protective role. Since a sharp exhalation occurs, various agents that irritate the receptors are removed from the respiratory tract.

The physiological process is carried out in several stages:

  • a tickling sensation in the nose;
  • this itching prompts you to take a deep breath to get enough air into your lungs;
  • the soft palate rises, contraction of the arches of the pharynx occurs in front;
  • the back of the tongue is adjacent to the hard palate:
  • the oral cavity and nasopharynx are isolated, after which the eyes reflexively close;
  • the further mechanism of sneezing is the contraction of a whole group of muscles - intercostal muscles, diaphragm, abdomen, larynx, which leads to an increase in intra-abdominal and intrathoracic pressure;
  • sneezing ends, which means a reflexive protective process, with vigorous exhalation while tearing off the nasopharynx.

On average, the speed of a person’s sneeze in the glottis area is km/h. The volumetric air flow rate can reach 12 l/s. At this intensity, high pressure is created, due to which, on the way through the nose and mouth, the air captures microparticles of saliva and mucus. They are carried in the surrounding atmosphere at a distance of up to three meters.

Consequently, sneezing is a vegetative reflex that allows you to get rid of various agents that begin to irritate the internal mucous membranes in the nose.

Symptoms

It is difficult to describe the symptoms of sneezing, since such a protective mechanism itself is one of the common signs of various diseases.

In case of allergies or the development of respiratory diseases due to swelling of the mucous membranes, the nose can very quickly become stuffy, disrupting the normal functioning of all respiratory organs. The onset of this condition is marked by a watery runny nose, when nasal discharge flows in a stream. Gradually they stop flowing as they turn into thick mucus.

Sneezing in the morning after sleep is the most pronounced symptom of allergic rhinitis. There is a group of diseases that include atrophic and vasomotor rhinitis, as well as deviated septum, when a person sneezes a lot during the day without signs of a runny nose. The same phenomenon with a genetic predisposition can be observed after a heavy meal, when heaviness is felt in a full stomach.

Causes

To understand why a person sneezes many times in a row, one should study the dominant causes that cause this phenomenon.

  • The most common and well-known cause of sneezing is a cold, as well as chicken pox, flu, and measles.
  • A reflex release of air may occur as a reaction to allergens. These are animal hair, household chemicals, dust, pollen. And also smells, medicines, food.
  • Substances in the surrounding atmosphere that are harmful to the body can often provoke sneezing. These include chemical compounds and tobacco smoke.
  • If there is constant sneezing, the reasons may relate to the development of a deviated nasal septum.
  • Some women start sneezing just before giving birth. Along with swelling of the nasal mucosa, they develop rhinitis during pregnancy as a sign of hormonal imbalance. The same phenomenon occurs during menstruation.
  • A nervous breakdown, fear, or severe stress can provoke the sudden appearance of sneezing more than once in a row. With such an energy surge, the blood vessels expand sharply, and reflexive muscle contraction allows you to stop this process.
  • Temporary sudden changes in temperature and bright lighting have an effect.
  • A breastfeeding baby is sometimes made to sneeze by a drop of milk that gets into the nose during feeding. Dry air and the excessive presence of dust in it cause receptor irritation of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity in the infant.
  • Another reason that can cause frequent sneezing indicates a loss of the nose’s ability to self-cleanse secretions as a result of mechanical injury.
  • If there is non-infectious vasomotor rhinitis, if the tone of the vessels located in the nasal cavity is disturbed, a chronic runny nose develops. A person suffers from constant congestion. He starts sneezing and coughing.

Causes of sneezing many times in a row can be explained by natural hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. Increased levels of hormones can cause congestion due to the appearance of swelling of the mucous membranes. In this condition, oxygen starvation occurs, which is harmful to the developing fetus due to the possible development of hypoxia. Therefore, it is important for a pregnant woman to consult a doctor promptly.

Attentive owners notice that their pets suddenly begin to sneeze loudly. This could mean that something has gotten into their nose. If the process becomes permanent, this indicates some kind of infection. Cats can develop leukemia and polyposis. Allergies often provoke this condition. Some diseases can cause your pet to die without treatment, so contacting a veterinarian is mandatory.

Diagnostics. Who to contact

When contacting a medical center with complaints of prolonged sneezing, diagnostic examinations are prescribed in order to identify the underlying cause that provoked this phenomenon.

You should contact an otolaryngologist with such a problem. If during examination he reveals cold pathologies, then usually additional tests are not prescribed. The rhinoscopy technique is used. Using an optical instrument equipped with mirrors, the doctor examines the nasopharynx and nasal mucous membranes. Since a rearward view is provided, the doctor can use the imaging results to form a fairly complete picture for making a diagnosis.

If there is a suspicion that sneezing is developing against the background of allergic rhinitis, you will need to do a special test to determine exactly the type of allergen. The diagnosis will be made by an allergist after receiving the test results.

Allergy process

The tendency to allergic reactions helps to understand why people sneeze many times in a row without obvious signs of a cold.

An allergen that causes such a protective reaction can penetrate the body of both an adult and a child. The result is a runny nose. Often the eyes begin to water, a cough, a rash on the skin, and swelling appear.

The presence of allergies is characterized by a characteristic paroxysmal sneezing process. This can last longer than 10 times. In adults, the release of mucus most often occurs in the morning, and there is no fever.

For some people, alcohol is an allergen. This is a fairly common phenomenon when, after a few drinks, a person is attacked by frequent sneezing. Knowing about this feature, it is necessary to have antihistamines with you at all times, which will stop the involuntary reaction to irritation of the nasal receptors.

Sneezing with a cold

It’s enough to catch a cold in your feet, and you start to have snot, a cough, and a sore throat. The body seeks to free the nasal cavities and nasopharynx from infectious agents, such as bacteria and viruses, by sneezing.

At the moment of activation of the protective mechanism, which ensures the reflex flight of droplets of mucus with saliva, pain sometimes occurs, further confirming the infectious nature of the phenomenon. If purulent white lumps fly out of the throat, this indicates chronic tonsillitis.

The nose can become clogged with thick mucus with deterioration in health, long-lasting high temperature, and cough due to ARVI. The sneezing is prolonged, just like with the flu.

Therapeutic drug techniques

Understanding the specifics of the defense mechanism, it is advisable to solve the problem of how to stop sneezing in the context of identifying the provoking factor.

A single sneeze does not cause concern, but it cannot be continued for a long time if watery discharge appears from the nose, the eyes become swollen and watery, and itchy skin causes concern. Against this background, sneezing, which occurs in painful attacks, requires immediate use of antiallergic drugs - Claritin, Zyrtec and consultation with a doctor. Due to rapidly developing swelling of the nasopharynx, a person can die. Prescribed for allergic sneezing Nasonex, Aldecin in the form of a spray.

Aqua Maris is used as first aid. With its help, the nasal cavities are effectively washed and cleared of secretions and irritants that cause sneezing. Sea water, which is the dominant component of the drug, will produce the desired therapeutic effect if a child or pregnant woman is sick.

It will make the itching that causes sneezing disappear by washing the nasal passages with saline solutions specially made for these purposes - Aqualor, Aquamaris, Dolphin. Antiseptic solutions of Miramistin and Furacilin are suitable.

Effectively relieves swelling accompanying sinusitis and vasomotor rhinitis, Rinofluimucil spray. It can cause increased heart rate and increase blood pressure, so it is not prescribed to pregnant women. If a bacterial infection develops, your doctor can choose appropriate antibiotics. It is dangerous to use medications from this group on your own, as the opposite effect of worsening the condition may occur.

Taking any dosage form requires following medical recommendations and instructions. Do not exceed the dosage and duration of treatment. You should stop using the product if an allergy occurs.

Traditional methods

Sneezing can be transmitted to another person if the cause is an infectious disease. Treatment with medications is often accompanied by folk remedies, the value of which is sometimes very high.

For a stuffy nose and no fever, inhalation is recommended. For the procedure, pour hot water into a stable bowl, about two glasses, add three drops of antibacterial essential oil - eucalyptus, mint, juniper. Having covered yourself with a blanket, you begin to inhale and exhale healing vapors for 10 minutes, passing them through your nose.

To get rid of infections that affect the upper respiratory tract and increase immunity, useful herbal infusions are prepared. Suitable raw materials include willowherb flowers, chamomile, and elecampane. A tablespoon is kept in 200 ml of boiling water under a towel for 30 minutes. Divide into three servings and drink throughout the day.

Not hot tea with a slice of lemon, raspberry jam, honey, and a small amount of ginger root is always considered effective against colds.

Fenugreek seeds are beneficial. You will need two tablespoons of raw material per 300 ml of water. After ten minutes of boiling, remove the pan from the stove, wrap it in a terry towel and leave for 45 minutes. Then comes filtering. Drink 150 ml of decoction in the morning and evening.

Herbal baths relieve sneezing caused by a runny nose. Infuse two tablespoons of sage, birch leaves or yarrow in 500 ml of boiling water for an hour. After filtering, pour into water. Take a bath for 15 minutes.

If they want to speed up recovery, use aloe juice for instillation. Three drops are administered into each nostril three times a day. Young children and adolescents under 12 years of age should dilute the juice with warm boiled water 1:3. For the age category over 12 years old, the proportion is 1:1. Using the same scheme, drops are made from beet juice. You can instill a mixture of menthol and camphor oils, taken in equal quantities.

The warming effect of pepper is known. If sneezing becomes painful, use a pepper patch. Before going to bed, glue it to the soles and put on cotton socks.

At the first sign of a cold, indicated by sneezing, whip a small piece of laundry soap into a foam. Dip a cotton swab into the foam and carefully lubricate the internal cavities of the nose. After three days there is relief, and the runny nose does not develop further.

Rinsing the nose promotes good cleansing of mucus and pathogens.

To do this, fill a bulb or a special device with a saline solution. To do this, stir half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of boiling water cooled to warm.

A homemade ointment helps well, for which fresh calendula flowers ground into a paste are added to Vaseline in a 1:1 ratio. Apply the mixture onto cotton wool and keep it in the nostrils for five minutes.

You can find many folk recipes that have a beneficial effect on the development of sneezing. In any situation, you must first consult a doctor.

Complications and consequences

It is harmful to hold back sneezing, as the air will be directed to the Eustachian arch and then into the middle ear, which provokes the appearance of otitis media. Due to the high flow rate, eardrums can be damaged. After the spread of microbes into the paranasal sinuses, sinusitis develops.

Holding your hand over your nose and mouth while sneezing can also cause negative consequences. Cases are described when, due to a sudden movement of the head during severe sneezing, the intervertebral discs in the cervical region were ruptured.

A young man in the UK suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage due to a series of consecutive sneezes. He lost consciousness, and after a while cardiac arrest occurred.

Prevention

Sneezing cannot be considered a harmless process. During the release of tiny saliva and mucus, infection is transmitted. It is important to learn to follow simple preventive rules to avoid sneezing:

  • do not be in drafts;
  • do not overcool;
  • every morning, when planning to go out, choose clothes according to weather conditions;
  • avoid contact with people who sneeze;
  • during periods of outbreaks of infections, wear a protective mask;
  • get a flu shot once a year in early autumn;
  • exercise daily;
  • wash your hands with soap several times a day;
  • take long walks;
  • systematically carry out the procedure of rinsing the nose with saline solution.

You can avoid allergic sneezing if you know the allergen. In any situation, it is important to strengthen the immune system, get rid of bad habits, and plan a balanced menu.

I sneeze a lot. I get bored and swear. There are no allergies, no colds.

I think it's due to age. I’ll just note that if you start counting “sneezes”, it usually ends before 10, if you don’t count, you can sneeze more than 20 times in a row

Copying of materials is permitted only with an active link to the source.

Source: http://lor-uhogorlonos.ru/simptomy/chihane.html

Do you know the main reasons for sneezing?

All people on our planet are gifted with a host of reflex functions. One of them is sneezing. Sneezing is an incomparable reflex that a person needs to free the respiratory passages from irritants. If a person sneezes rarely, then doctors recommend not paying special attention to this. You should think about treatment if this process is accompanied by other symptoms or lasts too long.

Sneezing is a reflex that a person needs to clear the respiratory passages.

How do we sneeze?

This sign is not a pathology. Its occurrence is accompanied by the influence of some irritant.

Before the process begins, a person feels a slight and fleeting itching in the nasal passages. Then a short exhalation occurs through the nose, followed by a deep inhalation through the mouth. During this period of time, the vocal cords contract, and tension appears in the tonsils of the palate. The tongue is “chained” to the palate and a sharp exhalation is made.

It is worth saying: the lower center of the brain is responsible for the fact that a person sneezes. If this area is damaged, it will lead to the inability to sneeze at all.

Purpose of sneezing

Sneezing is a protective reaction of the human body

What makes people sneeze? This process is necessary for a person to clear the respiratory passages of dust, dirt and foreign bodies that have penetrated. In other words, sneezing is a protective reaction of the human body. After the process is completed, the person feels much lighter, and the lungs are filled with a new portion of fresh air.

If you sneeze and do not cover your nose and mouth, the germs will be transmitted to 150 other people.

Reasons why a person sneezes

In medicine, the following causes of sneezing are noted.

  1. Presence of a cold.
  2. Chemicals that accumulate in the nasopharynx in the presence of viral diseases.
  3. Allergic response of the body.
  4. Dry or cold air.
  5. Hormonal changes in women.
  6. Mechanical and physical stimuli.
  7. Hypothermia.
  8. A sharp decrease or increase in air temperature.

It is worth saying that a person can sneeze for other reasons - due to exposure to too bright light (statistically, 35% of people sneeze for this reason).

Frequent experiences, stress, fear and depression also lead to the formation of this process. This is explained by the body’s desire to maintain balance in the nose.

Doctors say that nasal membranes are too sensitive to the emotional state of their owner. With a sharp change in mood, the blood vessels are constantly compressed and unclenched. Sneezing helps them return to their previous state.

A woman can sneeze even before her period begins.

During pregnancy, the expectant mother constantly sneezes. This process is not at all connected with the fact that the pregnant woman is overcome by a cold. This is explained by hormonal imbalance in the body of the expectant mother. A woman can sneeze even before the start of menstruation. This process causes pain in the lower abdomen due to contraction of the muscles of the uterus.

Sneezing due to allergic reactions

The reasons for frequent sneezing may be associated with allergic reactions. This process usually occurs seasonally - during the flowering period. Allergens are:

With allergies, a person often sneezes, his nose itches on the outside, and his eyes become very watery. In such cases, the doctor advises taking antihistamines (Suprastin) and vasoconstrictor drops. After using the proposed remedies, the swelling of the mucous membrane will sharply subside, and the accumulated mucus will separate faster.

It should be remembered that using vasoconstrictor drugs for more than 5 days is not recommended.

Is sneezing a sign of a cold?

Therefore, if the process is accompanied by elevated body temperature, cough, sore throat and runny nose, then they are definitely talking about a cold. Does it hurt when you sneeze? There is a clear presence of infection here.

Do not delay going to the doctor, otherwise self-medication will lead to irreversible consequences.

Many people are interested in the question: “Is sneezing during a cold good or bad?” The answer in this case is obvious: “Good!” The body reflexively responds to the penetration and spread of infections in the nasopharynx area. Sneezing eliminates all pathogenic microorganisms.

Under no circumstances should you hold back sneezing when you have a cold. Doctors explain this by saying that microbes can penetrate into the middle ear, which will lead to the appearance of otitis media, sinusitis and other dangerous diseases.

People often come to doctors and complain: “When I sneeze, whitish lumps fly out of my mouth.” In this case, they speak of the presence of tonsillitis in the chronic stage. Lumps arise due to the death of epithelial tissue in the area of ​​the tonsils of the palate, as well as when pus is released from them, which accumulates during inflammation.

Sneezing in babies

Frequent sneezing in newborns is not necessarily accompanied by the presence of a cold. While in the womb, the baby is constantly in water. There is also fluid in his throat and nasal passages. After birth, the baby’s respiratory system begins to work actively, getting rid of excess water, thereby leading to drying out of the mucous membranes and the formation of crusts.

This is exactly how doctors answer a mother’s question about why her baby sneezed immediately after birth.

It is worth saying that people are not able to sneeze in their sleep, since all the nerves involved in this process rest with their owner.

“Why am I sneezing?” The answer to this question is not necessarily the statement: “It’s a cold!” The reason may be different. Therefore, if this process occurs over a long period of time, it is better not to self-medicate, but to urgently consult a doctor.

Source: http://nasmorkoff.ru/nose/a-vy-znaete-osnovnye-prichiny-chixaniya/

Why do people sneeze: main reasons

A living person has many reflexes from birth. So, when the larynx is irritated, a cough occurs. It can also be called a spasm. If dust or other foreign matter gets into the eyes, lacrimation begins. Sneezing is also one of the normal human reflexes. Even newborn babies have it. This article will tell you about why people sneeze. You will find out the main reasons for the occurrence of such a symptom.

Why do people sneeze?

Before finding out the main reasons for the appearance of this condition, it is worth talking about the process of its occurrence. Why do people sneeze?

This symptom is not an independent pathology. It always occurs due to exposure to a stimulus. Before sneezing, a person feels itching and itching in the nose. After this, a sharp short exhalation occurs (usually through the nose) and a deep inhalation. At this moment, contraction of the vocal cords and tension of the palatine tonsils occurs. The person’s tongue is pressed against the upper palate and then a sharp exhalation follows.

Purpose of sneezing

Why do people sneeze? Most often, this process occurs in order to cleanse the respiratory system of dust, dirt and foreign objects. Sneezing is a kind of protective function of the body. This symptom allows you to feel better and fill your lungs with a large portion of fresh air.

Why does a person sneeze a lot? The reasons for this reflex may vary. Let's try to understand each of them separately.

Influence of external stimulus

Why do people sneeze many times? Most often, such a reflex appears when an external stimulus occurs. Such a substance can be dust, sand, a strong odor or any perfume. It is not uncommon for people to sneeze from cigarette smoke or exposure to carbon dioxide.

In this case, the irritant enters the mucous membrane of the nasal passages. She gets irritated and starts itching. Next, the person takes that short breath that pushes the external stimulus deeper. After this, a sharp exhalation occurs, which is accompanied by a sneeze and getting rid of the foreign substance.

Cold

The cause of a sneeze may be a banal illness. It can be viral or bacterial. Acute or chronic. If inflammation occurs in the nasopharynx, then it is there that the protective mechanism begins to work.

During illness, the nasal mucosa swells and produces large amounts of mucus. It's called a runny nose. This pattern allows you to clean the nasal passages and rid the patient of bacteria and viruses in a short time. Often the mucus that forms dries out and small crusts form in the nose. They cause sinus irritation and sneezing.

In addition, a person may sneeze at the very beginning of the development of the disease. This is caused by small viruses or bacteria actively multiplying in the nasal passages. The mucous membrane begins to become irritated and a reflexive inhalation and exhalation occurs.

Allergic reaction

The cause of a person's sneezing may be a simple allergy. Most often, pathology occurs in the off-season, when various plants, flowers and trees begin to bloom. Pollen from them can fly in the air and enter the nasal passages.

Allergies can also be chronic. In this case, the patient often has a stuffy nose. This is caused by slight swelling of the mucous membrane. Antihistamines and drops that have a vasoconstrictor effect are used for treatment. After using such formulations, the swelling decreases sharply and mucus secretion increases. Because of this, irritation of the membranes and sneezing occurs.

Sneezing in newborns

Often new mothers complain that their baby sneezes often. Usually this is not a sign of any pathology or cold. This reaction occurs for the following reasons.

While in the womb, the baby is completely immersed in water. There is also fluid in his nasal passages and throat. After birth, the active work of the respiratory system begins. The body tries to naturally get rid of the fluid, which often dries out and leads to the formation of those very irritating crusts.

Reaction to external conditions

Why do people sneeze in the sun? Sometimes it is common for a person to sneeze at the moment when he looks sharply at the sunlight. An ordinary lamp can also act as an irritant. Sneezing begins when a person moves from a dark room into a light one. Why does this happen?

When looking at light or the sun, irritation of the membranes of the eyes begins. This often leads to watery eyes. It is worth noting that it is not always noticeable. However, the lacrimal glands are strongly related to the functioning of the sinuses. When the eyes are irritated, a similar reaction occurs in the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. Because of this, a person feels the urge to sneeze and does so.

A similar reflex also appears when a person enters a cold room from a warm room and vice versa. In this case, a change in temperature is to blame.

Summarizing

You now know the main reasons why a person sneezes. This symptom is not always a sign of illness. Why don't people sneeze in their sleep? This is due to the fact that during rest a person’s breathing works slightly differently. However, with a cold, contraction of the vocal cords and reflex exhalation of air can still occur. Be healthy!

Source: http://www.syl.ru/article/197793/new_pochemu-lyudi-chihayut-osnovnyie-prichinyi

Nmedicine.net

They say that when you sneeze, all body functions stop, even the heart stops beating. This is an intuitive statement, not yet supported by anything.

In addition, they also say that if you feel like you are about to sneeze, you should rub the bridge of your nose and thus prevent cardiac arrest.

Sneezing is a sudden, spasmodic, sharp exhalation of air through the nasal opening, and is a protective reaction of the body to external irritants.

He also claims that if he sneezed, he told the truth. Can the truth make your heart stop?

How does the sneezing process occur?

If something tickles your nose, then it is almost impossible to stop the sneezing process, but after sneezing a person feels much better, and this is not without reason, because when sneezing, the body is freed from harmful substances that have entered the body. The nose is a kind of filter that cleans the incoming air from foreign impurities and bacteria. When enough dust, viruses and bacteria accumulate in the nose, the nerve endings are irritated and harmful substances are released with the air flow.

The central drives of the nervous mechanism of sneezing are the nasal branches belonging to the fifth pair of cranial nerves. The centers that control the process of exhalation of the respiratory mechanism are also involved, and the conductors are motor nerves, respiratory mechanisms and branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve.

Sneezing is initiated by muscle contraction of the chest and pharynx, which connects the esophagus and the nasal cavity. Nerve endings in the nose detect the presence of any pathogen and send impulses to the part of the brain that controls involuntary actions. The brain then sends signals to the pectoral muscles, which causes the lungs to fill with air. The openings connecting the pharynx and mouth are closed, and the movement of air from the lungs to the oral cavity is blocked. After this, a quick strong exhalation is made, and the person sneezes.

How to reduce the number of sneezes?

Nowadays, modern medicine makes it possible to control this process. Antihistamines block the function of histamine at receptors found in the nasal blood vessels. Some antihistamines do not cause drowsiness or weakness, unlike other drugs that stimulate receptors that are located in the same blood vessels, causing sneezing to clear a clogged nasal cavity. Therefore, people suffering from allergies are prescribed hormonal medications that reduce the number of inflammatory cells and counteract the release of histamine.

Some people also sneeze from bright sunlight, which is explained by the fact that ultraviolet rays irritate the olfactory receptors.

However, regardless of the cause of a good, powerful sneeze, remember to cover your nose securely to prevent bacteria from spreading to those around you.

So does the heart stop when you sneeze? To some extent, this may be true, but a sneezing person will not be able to feel a change in the rhythm of the heartbeat. When you cough or sneeze, positive pressure occurs in the chest, which is the reason for the myth of cardiac arrest.

Source: http://nmedicine.net/pri-chixanii-ostanavlivaetsya-serdce/

Sister - Muslim Women's Directory

Questions that are important for every sister to know

What happens when you sneeze

The human body is a very complex combination of a variety of different systems, the work and interaction of which is sometimes not easy for us to understand even with full research.

One of the little studied processes today is sneezing.

According to the background information: “Sneezing is a sudden spasmodic sharp exhalation of air through the nose or mouth, and is a protective reaction of the body to external irritants. Sneezing is a normal protective reaction of the body to irritants or allergens. This protective reflex is characteristic of both humans and animals. Sneezing can also be a symptom of a number of acute respiratory and allergic diseases."

The speed of exhaled air when sneezing can reach approximately 160 kilometers per hour.

An interesting fact was established in the course of ongoing scientific research - in most cases, a person does not sneeze in his sleep.

In the course of research, it was also found that during the sneezing process the following occurs: first, some tickling (irritation) appears in the nose; then the person takes a breath (often a deep, short breath), and the lungs fill with air; then, when you sneeze, your eyes usually close; the glottis closes; The intercostal muscles, diaphragm, laryngeal muscles and rectus abdominis muscles contract, while intrathoracic and intra-abdominal pressure sharply increases; Finally, the glottis opens, and vigorous exhalation occurs with the opening of the nasopharynx. When sneezing, the eyes reflexively close, and the head and neck are thrown back, and sometimes the whole body shudders.

It is known that during sneezing the airways can be (reflexively) cleared, and this clearing is deep.

Some observations during research suggested that for a moment during a sneeze, the heart can stop, and not only the heart, but also some functional systems of the body. However, this remains an assumption. It was found that a sneezing person will not be able to fully feel the change in heart rate and other similar changes, since this occurs in a very short period of time, lasting a fraction of a second. Cardiac arrest during sneezing has not been proven experimentally. It has been found that when coughing or sneezing, positive pressure occurs in the chest, which is the reason for such assumptions. The process of sneezing to a certain extent affects the functioning of the circulatory system, changing the pressure inside the chest. This pressure surge somewhat slows down the flow of blood into the heart, which in turn affects the heart rate. Thus, the consequence of sneezing is a delay in one of the heart contractions, which is sometimes called a “missed beat,” although in fact the beat, of course, is not missed but is delayed for a fraction of a second. A wave of sneezing passes through the entire body, since the body is an interconnected system. It has been found that after sneezing, a person may experience disorientation for a short time, after which he usually feels somewhat more alert, and pleasant sensations arise in the body.

In modern medicine, the most common causes of sneezing are considered to be the following:

– the influence of various allergens: plant pollen, which causes allergies in many people, as well as dust, mold, scales of the epidermis of humans and animals, dandruff, particles of animal hair and nails.

– exposure to strong odors, including tobacco smoke, aerosols, perfumes, detergents and cleaners, gaseous substances in the air, etc.

– the presence of nasal polyps (growths of the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses).

– rapid changes in ambient temperature or cold, humid air can also be causes of sneezing.

– sometimes sneezing can be caused by physical exertion, when hyperventilation (intense breathing) causes the nasal passages and mouth to dry out.

– irritation of the eyes by bright light, mainly from the sun. It has been found that approximately 18-35% of people sneeze when exposed to sudden bright sunlight. This phenomenon is called the "light sneeze reflex"

– in the cold season, sneezing can often be a symptom of colds, infectious diseases and diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

– sneezing can also occur during pregnancy due to hormonal changes in a woman’s body.

– there is an opinion that sneezing may be caused by other factors. For example, sneezing can be triggered by severe sadness, severe fear, or emotional shock. This response to strong emotions occurs due to an attempt to restore balance in the nasal cavity.

Some scientists believe that sneezing is a process that can hardly be stopped once it has already begun. The process of sneezing occurs involuntarily and cannot be controlled, that is, if it is started, then it is not possible to regulate its time and speed due to the speed of its development. Despite the benefits of sneezing, at different times there were people who tried to stop this process by massaging the nose or performing various other manipulations, but they did not always succeed. It is possible to stop sneezing caused by illness or allergies by eliminating the cause itself. That is, sneezing may be an indicator of a problem.

Sneezing helps remove germs, allergens and foreign bodies from the upper respiratory tract, which in turn helps maintain health. Based on scientific research, it has been found that suppressing sneezes is harmful. If a person holds back a sneeze by holding his nose with his fingers and closing his mouth, he risks damaging the eardrum, since the pressure from the sneeze is directed into the Eustachian tubes, which connect the nasopharynx to the middle ear. There have been cases where people who tried to prevent sneezing experienced ruptured blood vessels, nosebleeds, headaches, and in rare cases even blindness, muscle pain in the abdominal area, in addition, in this case the direct function of the sneezing process would remain unfulfilled (that is, deep cleansing of the respiratory tract). As a result of their observations, scientists concluded that it is not worth holding back sneezing.

Imam Al Bukhariy reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon Him, said that when Prophet Adam, peace be upon Him, was created, He sneezed and said “Alhamdulillah” and greeted the Angels.

It is known that it is Sunnah for a sneezer to say after sneezing:

[Al-hamdu lillah], which means: “Praise be to Allah,”

And also the Sunnah to answer:

[Yarhamukallah], which means: “May the Mercy of Allah descend upon you”

Then the sneezing person says in response:

يَهْدِينَا وَيَهْدِيكُمُ اللهُ

[Yahdina wa yahdikumullah], which means: “I ask Allah to grant you and me truthfulness.”

يَهْدِيكُمُ وَيُصْلِحُ بَالَكُمْ

[Yahdikumullahu wa yuslih balyakum], which means: “I ask Allah to grant you truthfulness and tranquility.”

Source: http://sister.net.ua/?p=3976

What happens when we sneeze?

At this moment, hundreds of muscles are involved, and the flow of outgoing air moves at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour. The pressure is 100 mm Hg. If the eyes were not closed at the same time, they would fly out of their sockets. But during a sneeze, the eyes reflexively close. Forty thousand droplets no thicker than a human hair are released into the environment. They consist of saliva and mucus from the nasal and oral cavities. Along the way, they decrease in size and become invisible to the human eye. They carry millions of bacteria and viruses, the purpose of which is to multiply. These particles can spread over twenty, and in the presence of air flow, up to forty meters. The viability of bacteria and viruses lasts for two to three days and for many months.

Dogs and cats also sneeze for reasons similar to humans.

what happens when you sneeze

Sneezing is a sudden strong spasmodic exhalation of air through the nasal opening, a kind of protective reaction of the body to external irritants.

Sneezing is one of the ways our body gets rid of harmful substances that enter our body. The nose resembles a kind of filter that cleans the incoming air from bacteria and other harmful substances. Therefore, when too many viruses and bacteria collect in our nose as a result of illness, a large accumulation of dust, or as a result of allergies, then irritation of the nerve endings occurs in the nose and all harmful substances come out along with the air flow.

Source: http://otvet.mail.ru/question/

17 Interesting Information and Facts About Sneezing

There are many signs and superstitions associated with sneezing in different cultures. Meanwhile, sneezing is a normal protective reaction of the body to irritating substances or allergens. This protective reflex is characteristic of humans and higher animals. Sneezing can also be a symptom of a number of acute respiratory and allergic diseases. So, let's figure out why a person sneezes, what is the mechanism of sneezing, and what other interesting facts about sneezing are now known?

– Various allergens: plant pollen, which causes allergies in many people, as well as dust, mold, scales of human and animal epidermis, dander, particles of animal hair and nails.

– Strong odors, including tobacco smoke, aerosols, perfumes, detergents and cleaners, polluted air, etc.

– Nasal polyps (growths of the mucous membrane of the nose and paranasal sinuses).

– Rapid change in ambient temperature or cold, humid air.

– Sometimes sneezing can be caused by physical exertion, when hyperventilation (intense breathing) causes the nasal passages and mouth to dry out.

– Eye irritation from bright light, mainly sunlight.

– In cold weather, sneezing is often a symptom of colds, infectious diseases and diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

– Sneezing can also occur during pregnancy due to hormonal changes in a woman’s body.

– There is an opinion that sneezing may be caused by psychological factors. Sneezing can be triggered by sadness, fear, or emotional excitement. The response to strong emotions arises from an attempt to restore balance in the nasal cavity.

2. The sneezing center is located in the lower part of the brain stem - in the medulla oblongata. The centers of other protective reflexes are also located there: coughing, vomiting, lacrimation, blinking. If this part of the brain is damaged, you may lose the ability to sneeze.

3. Sneezing is an unconditioned (innate) reflex that practically cannot be stopped once it has already begun. The process of sneezing occurs involuntarily and cannot be controlled.

4. Suppressing sneezing is harmful. If you hold back a sneeze by pinching your nose with your fingers and closing your mouth, you risk damaging your eardrum as the pressure from the sneeze is directed into the Eustachian tubes, which connect the nasopharynx to the middle ear. People who tried to prevent sneezing experienced ruptured blood vessels, nosebleeds, headaches, and in rare cases, even blindness. In addition, when we sneeze, our body gets rid of germs and allergens, so there is no need to restrain yourself.

5. We do not sneeze in our sleep because our nerves, which are responsible for sneezing, also rest at this time. And if at night during sleep the nervous system rests, then there is no one to send the command to sneeze.

6. Few people know that a healthy human nose produces approximately 1-2 glasses of mucus (about half a liter) daily, and a diseased nose produces 5 times more.

7. What happens when you sneeze? The process of sneezing comes down to the following: first there is a tickling in the nose; then the person takes a deep breath, and the lungs fill with air; then, when sneezing, the eyes close; the glottis closes; The intercostal muscles, diaphragm, laryngeal muscles and rectus abdominis muscles contract, while intrathoracic and intra-abdominal pressure sharply increases; Finally, the glottis opens, and vigorous exhalation occurs with the opening of the nasopharynx.

8. Sneezing sounds about the same in many languages ​​of the world. For example, in Russian, as we know, it sounds like this: “Apchhi.” The prim Englishmen pronounce “achoo”, the aesthete French - “atchoum”, the Germans sneeze like this - “hatschi”, the Italians pronounce “etchiu”, the Spaniards - “achu”, and the Portuguese - “atchim”. In Polish it sounds like “apsik”, in Romanian “hapciu”, in Bulgarian “apchihu”, in Japanese “hakushon”, and the Finns pronounce it “atshii”.

9. Different countries also respond to sneezing differently. Russians say “Be healthy!”, The British answer “God bless you” or “Bless you” (which literally translates as “Bless you”). Among the Romans and Greeks, sneezing was considered a good omen, and in India this reflex is generally considered a sign of health.

10. The longest duration of sneezing is 978 days. This sad sneezing record belongs to Donna Griffiths from the UK. A 12-year-old English girl sneezed from January 13, 1981 to September 16, 1983. At first she sneezed every minute, and later every 5 minutes. In the first year alone, the poor thing sneezed about a million times!

11. The iguana is recognized as the most sneezing animal. The fact is that iguanas do not sweat. And in order to get rid of excess potassium and sodium salts in their body, which are by-products of digestion, they sneeze through the salt glands - a special organ located on their heads. Therefore, a white coating can be seen around the iguana’s face and on the walls of the terrarium.

12. How fast does a person sneeze? The speed of exhaled air when sneezing can reach 160 kilometers per hour (or 44.7 meters per second).

13. When a person sneezes, a drop of mucus and saliva flies out of a person’s mouth, which spreads over a distance of up to 2-3 meters.

14. When you sneeze, microorganisms enter the air. Therefore, if a sneezing person does not cover their nose and mouth area in public, they can transmit the bacteria to about 150 people around them.

15. In the American popular science program “MythBusters,” an experiment was conducted to find out how best to cover your face when sneezing so that droplets of germs do not fall on others. The subjects tried sneezing into a handkerchief, palms, and elbow of a bent arm. And to see where the drops fly, they used a coloring agent. As it turned out, when sneezing into both palms, the entire floor around the sneezers was stained with drops. A handkerchief provided much better protection, but when using it, the experiment participants' palms were heavily stained with paint. Therefore, the patient can transmit his germs to other people through dirty hands or objects that he touched with his hands. But by sneezing into the crook of your elbow, you can minimize the spread of bacteria and viruses. There were no traces near the participants in the experiment who used this method of protection.

16. Approximately 18-35% of people sneeze from sudden bright sunlight. This phenomenon is called the “light sneeze reflex.” It is not yet known exactly why this happens. Scientists theorize that when ultraviolet rays from the sun enter the eyes, the optic nerve transmits impulses to the brain, causing the eyes to close. In this case, nerve impulses may intersect at the level of reflex arcs (pathways) of the eye reflex to light and the sneezing reflex. Although normally the reflex pathways of the nervous system run separately. The impulse sent by the optic nerve acts on the trigeminal nerve, which perceives it as irritation in the nose. As a result, there is simultaneous constriction of the pupil and sneezing into the light.

17. We sneeze for a reason. This automatic reflex protects our body and is an important component of the immune process. As a protective reflex, sneezing removes germs and foreign bodies from the upper respiratory tract, which helps maintain health.

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4 comments to “17 interesting information and facts about sneezing”

interesting facts, thank you

when I get excited, I sneeze. I don’t know why. It’s kind of strange))

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Why do we yawn, sneeze and hiccup?

There is no such person who has never hiccupped, so there is no need to explain what it is. It is clear that hiccups are a rather unpleasant process that causes considerable inconvenience and sometimes irritation. Recently, scientists have been studying hiccups in depth, as well as yawning and sneezing. During the tests, quite interesting facts were discovered: it turns out that hiccups, sneezing and hiccups are useful for the human body.

Why do we hiccup?

Science has long proven that hiccups relieve the body of stress from the vagus nerve, relieving it of excessive activity.

The vagus nerve connects the central nervous system with almost all internal organs of a person. It passes from the chest to the abdominal region, closely adjacent to the esophagus, through the diaphragm through a small hole in it.

The diaphragm is a partition that separates the abdominal cavity from the chest and consists primarily of muscles and tendons.

It is, in fact, precisely in the opening of the diaphragm that hiccups originate. If a person eats quickly, without chewing food, but swallowing it in large pieces, it injures the esophagus, and along with it the vagus nerve is damaged. In turn, this nerve begins to be pressed and irritated. This nerve is also injured due to other factors: fear, overeating, hypothermia (remember small children: when they hiccup, it is generally assumed that they are cold), uncomfortable posture.

At these moments, our body feels discomfort, the vagus nerve tries to get rid of excess burden, which leads to hiccups. The vagus nerve begins to quickly shrink, which has a detrimental effect on the functioning of many organs in the body. A signal is sent to the central nervous system, due to which the diaphragm begins to actively pulsate and contract, making this with powerful and sudden movements. This is what hiccups look like from a scientific point of view. And the sound of hiccups occurs due to the fact that the glottis closes very quickly at this moment.

It should be noted that hiccups are an involuntary reflex and cannot be controlled by a person. If you have hiccups too often and you can’t get rid of them for a long time, it may not hurt to visit a doctor and get checked for various disorders not only physiologically, but also mentally.

Hiccups can sometimes be a sign of gastritis, myocardium, tumors in the neck or esophagus. Therefore, as soon as you feel that the hiccups are abnormal, do not hesitate and run to the doctor for advice.

How to get rid of hiccups?

You can get rid of hiccups yourself using simple but proven methods.

You need to stretch, take deep breaths several times and hold the air for a while. Water also helps a lot. You should drink it in small sips until the hiccups disappear.

Why do we yawn?

Yawning is a complex phenomenon, and therefore little studied. It has already been proven that it has a direct connection with fatigue and lack of sleep. However, a person who does not want to sleep can also yawn. In addition, almost all animals are susceptible to yawning. Even babies yawn while in the womb. Yawning can often overcome a person who finds himself in a stressful situation.

Scientists claim that with the help of yawning, the brain receives invaluable respite and relaxation, and the airways expand during yawning, enriching the body with oxygen, which often does not happen during normal breathing. Yawning can often overwhelm a person in a poorly ventilated room or in a room with low oxygen levels.

Thus, yawning is designed to relieve stress and psychological stress from the body, and also prevents many diseases. Therefore, doctors do not recommend fighting yawning.

A number of studies have been conducted that have identified another cause of yawning. This is brain overheating. It turns out that people begin to yawn when their brains “boil.” This process can be compared to the operation of a fan on a computer processor.

The brain functions much better when cooled. And yawning is a natural physiological process that helps the brain cool down.

Thus, yawning is very easy to explain. For example, a person is tired and wants to sleep. In this situation, his brain begins to heat up, as does the blood flowing through it. And yawning helps a person cool down the brain.

In addition, frequent yawning can be a sign of certain diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or migraines. Yawning also often precedes epileptic attacks in epileptics. And compulsive yawning can be caused by problems with brain temperature. In this case, doctors need to carefully monitor the patient who complains of constant yawning.

Why do we sneeze?

Sneezing, or, as professionals say, the sneeze reflex, is characteristic not only of humans, but also of most animals. And the reason for sneezing is simple. Usually people sneeze due to the fact that they need to get rid of all kinds of microparticles present in the nose. These particles prevent us from breathing normally and irritate the nasal mucosa. Thanks to sneezing, the nose and sinuses are cleared of dust, and the body's cells begin to be actively enriched with oxygen.

Let's take a closer look at each of the stages of sneezing:

  • First, a person feels a slight tickling in the nose caused by an irritant (dust and other microparticles).
  • The brain receives a signal that it is necessary to get rid of this stimulus.
  • The person takes a deep breath, and then sharply and powerfully exhales the air through his nose.
  • At this time, the tongue is pressed against the palate, as a result of which air from the lungs stops entering the oral cavity and flies out forcefully through the nasopharynx. The flight distance is less than three meters, and the speed is reached up to 130 meters per second. The whole body is incredibly tense at this moment.
  • Now that the airways are cleared of the irritant, the person can breathe calmly.

If you sneeze quite often, then you should pay attention to ventilation of the room. This may also indicate that there is some allergen or other irritant nearby that causes sneezing.

Thus, we can safely say that sneezing, hiccups and yawning are natural physiological processes that benefit a person.

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