In the summer, allergies are often to blame for sneezing, but you may be surprised how intricate this bodily function can be. Outside of its role in eradicating irritants, sneezing reveals fascinating insights into our respiratory system’s workings. Here we will discover some of the more unknown facets of this common reflex.
1. Sneezes: reset your sinuses
Sneezing is a reflex, but it’s also the reset button for your nose’s successful performance. Imagine a computer lagging or freezing, sometimes, a complete shutdown is needed to restore optimal function. Sneezing clears out irritants and gets your nasal passage working like a fine-tuned machine again.
2. Multiple sneezes: not always a sign of illness
When somebody sneezes repeatedly, the typical assumption is illness. However, multiple sneezes often reveal the body’s effort to completely clear irritants from the nasal cavity. It’s more of a sinus reset than a sign of an infection or cold.
3. Sneezing and sleep: a rare combination
Various stimuli can trigger the sneezing reflex. Because your muscles and nerves are relaxed when you sleep, sneezing doesn’t occur that frequently when you’re sleeping. Daytime hours typically see more sneezing as nasal passages actively clear. In some rare instances, though, sneezing can be induced by external stimuli like pepper, even when you’re sleeping.
4. Debunking the myth: your heart and sneezing
Counter to popular thinking, sneezing doesn’t cause your heart to stop. The feeling of a skipped heartbeat frequently felt during a sneeze is merely a temporary alteration in blood flow and pressure. Rest assured, your heart keeps beating steadily.
5. Sunlight’s sneeze induction: the photic reflex
Certain individuals, when subjected to bright light, will have a sneezing reflex. Around one in four individuals experience a photic sneeze reflex, where abrupt exposure to light induces sneezing. This phenomenon underscores the complex nature of sneeze triggers over and above allergens like pollen.
How to successfully manage sneezing
While sneezing offers relief, it also presents a quick means of germ transmission. Mucus can travel as far as five feet from a sneeze, so it’s important to practice appropriate sneezing etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze and keep your hands sanitized in order to minimize the spread of germs.
When sneezing calls for a specialist
If you’re experiencing persistent sneezing or have concerns about allergies and sinus health, contact us today for an appointment.