Sneeze

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Sneezing
)
For other uses, see Sneeze (disambiguation).
"Achoo" redirects here. For the acronym "ACHOO", see Photic sneeze reflex.

Sneeze
mucosa
Light
Cold air
Snatiation
Allergy
Infection
MethodExpulsion of air through nose/mouth
OutcomeRemoval of irritant

A sneeze (also known as sternutation) is a semi-autonomous,

exposure to allergens, or viral infection. Because sneezes can spread disease through infectious aerosol droplets, it is recommended to cover one's mouth and nose with the forearm, the inside of the elbow, a tissue or a handkerchief
while sneezing. In addition to covering the mouth, looking down is also recommended to change the direction of the droplets spread and avoid high concentration in the human breathing heights.

The function of sneezing is to expel mucus containing foreign particles or irritants and cleanse the nasal cavity. During a sneeze, the

palatine uvula depress while the back of the tongue elevates to partially close the passage to the mouth, creating a venturi (similar to a carburetor) due to Bernoulli's principle
so that air ejected from the lungs is accelerated through the mouth and thus creating a low pressure point at the back of the nose. This way air is forced in through the front of the nose and the expelled mucus and contaminants are launched out the mouth. Sneezing with the mouth closed does expel mucus through the nose but is not recommended because it creates a very high pressure in the head and is potentially harmful.

Sneezing cannot occur during sleep due to

REM atonia – a bodily state where motor neurons are not stimulated and reflex signals are not relayed to the brain. Sufficient external stimulants, however, may cause a person to wake from sleep to sneeze, but any sneezing occurring afterwards would take place with a partially awake status at minimum.[2]

N95 mask

Description

Sneeze
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Sneezing typically occurs when foreign particles or sufficient external stimulants pass through the nasal hairs to reach the nasal

tracheal muscles and creates a large opening of the nasal and oral cavities, resulting in a powerful release of air and bioparticles. The powerful nature of a sneeze is attributed to its involvement of numerous organs of the upper body – it is a reflexive
response involving the face, throat, and chest muscles. Sneezing is also triggered by sinus nerve stimulation caused by
allergies
.

The neural regions involved in the sneeze reflex are located in the

laryngeal and respiratory muscles, and the combined activity of these muscles serve as the basis for the generation of a sneeze.[3]

The sneeze reflex involves contraction of a number of different muscles and muscle groups throughout the body, typically including the eyelids. The common suggestion that it is impossible to sneeze with one's eyes open is, however, inaccurate.

autosomal dominant trait.[7]

Epidemiology

7-to-8-metre-long (23 to 26 ft) turbulent multiphase plume from a human sneeze.

While generally harmless in healthy individuals, sneezes spread disease through the

flu), one holds the forearm, the inside of the elbow, a tissue or a handkerchief in front of one's mouth and nose when sneezing. Using one's hand for that purpose has recently fallen into disuse[9] as it is considered inappropriate, since it promotes spreading germs through human contact (such as handshaking
) or by commonly touched objects (most notably doorknobs).

Until recently, the maximum visible distance over which the sneeze plumes (or puffs) travel was observed at 0.6 metres (2.0 ft), and the maximum sneeze velocity derived was 4.5 m/s (about 10 mph).[10] In 2020, sneezes were recorded generating plumes of up to 8 meters (26 ft).[11]

Prevention

Sneezes are covered by handkerchief or forearm

Proven methods to reduce sneezing generally advocate reducing interaction with irritants, such as keeping pets out of the house to avoid animal dander; ensuring the timely and continuous removal of dirt and dust particles through proper housekeeping; replacing filters for furnaces and air-handling units; air filtration devices and humidifiers; and staying away from industrial and agricultural zones. Tickling the roof of the mouth with the tongue can stop a sneeze.[12] Some people, however, find sneezes to be pleasurable and would not want to prevent them.[13]

Holding in sneezes, such as by pinching the nose or holding one's breath, is not recommended as the air pressure places undue stress on the lungs and airways.[14] One computer simulation suggests holding in a sneeze results in a burst of air pressure of 39 kPa, approximately 24 times that of a normal sneeze.[15]

In 1884, biologist Henry Walter Bates elucidated the impact of light on the sneezing reflex (Bates H.W. 1881-4. Biologia Centrali-Americana Insecta. Coleoptera. Volume I, Part 1.). He observed that individuals were only capable of sneezing when they felt in control of their entire environment. Consequently, he inferred that people were unable to sneeze in the dark. However, this hypothesis was later debunked.

History

In

gods (Odyssey 17: 541-550). It may be because this belief survived through the centuries, that in certain parts of Greece today, when someone is asserting something and the listener sneezes promptly at the end of the assertion, the former responds "bless you and I am speaking the truth", or "bless you and here is the truth" ("γεια σου κι αλήθεια λέω", ya sou ki alithia leo, or "γεια σου και να κι η αλήθεια", ya sou ke na ki i alithia). A similar practice is also followed in India.[17][18] If either the person just having made a not most obvious statement in Flemish, or some listener sneezes, often one of the listeners will say "It is beniesd", literally "It's sneezed upon", as if a proof of truth – usually self-ironically recalling this old superstitious habit, without either suggesting doubt or intending an actual confirmation, but making any apology by the sneezer for the interruption superfluous as the remark is received by smiles.[19]

In Europe, principally around the early Middle Ages, it was believed that one's life was in fact tied to one's

Raymond Henry Payne Crawfurd, for instance, the registrar of the Royal College of Physicians, in his 1909 book, "The Last Days of Charles II", states that, when the controversial monarch was on his deathbed, his medical attendants administered a concoction of cowslips and extract of ammonia to promote sneezing.[20] However, it is not known if this promotion of sneezing was done to hasten his death (as coup de grâce
) or as an ultimate attempt at treatment.

In certain parts of

Book of Songs (a collection of Chinese poems)[21] in ancient China as early as 1000 BC, and in Japan this belief is still depicted in present-day manga and anime. In China, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan, for instance, there is a superstition that if talking behind someone's back causes the person being talked about to sneeze; as such, the sneezer can tell if something good is being said (one sneeze), someone is thinking about you (two sneezes in a row), even if someone is in love with you (three sneezes in a row) or if this is a sign that they are about to catch a cold (multiple sneezes).[citation needed
]

Parallel beliefs are known to exist around the world, particularly in contemporary Greek, Slavic, Celtic, English, French, and Indian cultures. Similarly, in Nepal, sneezers are believed to be remembered by someone at that particular moment.[citation needed]

In English, the onomatopoeia for sneezes is usually spelled 'achoo' and it is similar to that of different cultures.[22]

Culture

motion picture with a copyright
.

In Indian culture, especially in northern parts of India, Bengali (Bangladesh and Bengal of India) culture and also in Iran, it has been a common superstition that a sneeze taking place before the start of any work was a sign of impending bad interruption. It was thus customary to pause in order to drink water or break any work rhythm before resuming the job at hand in order to prevent any misfortune from occurring.

In

Catholic
countries, such as Mexico, Italy, or Ireland, the remnants of pagan culture are fostered in Polish peasant idiosyncratic superstitions.

The practice among

Abu Hurayrah
that Muhammad once said:

When one of you sneezes, let him say, "Al-hamdu-Lillah" (Praise be to God), and let his brother or companion say to him, "Yarhamuk Allah" (May God have mercy on you). If he says, "Yarhamuk-Allah", then let [the sneezer] say, "Yahdeekum Allah wa yuslihu baalakum" (May God guide you and rectify your condition).

Verbal responses

Main article: Response to sneezing

In English-speaking countries, one common verbal response to another person's sneeze is "[May God] bless you". Another less common verbal response in the United States and Canada to another's sneeze is "Gesundheit", which is a German word that means, appropriately, "health".

Several hypotheses exist for why the custom arose of saying "bless you" or "God bless you" in the context of sneezing:

Sexuality

See also: Sexually induced sneezing

Some people may

genitals during sexual arousal. The nose, like the genitals, contains erectile tissue.[26] This phenomenon may prepare the vomeronasal organ for increased detection of pheromones.[27]

A sneeze has been compared to an orgasm, since both orgasms and sneeze reflexes involve tingling, bodily stretching, tension and release.[28] On this subject, sexologist Vanessa Thompson from the University of Sydney states, "Sneezing and orgasms both produce feel-good chemicals called endorphins but the amount produced by a sneeze is far less than an orgasm."[29]

According to Dr. Holly Boyer from the University of Minnesota, there is a pleasurable effect during a sneeze, where she states, "the muscle tension that builds up in your chest causes pressure, and when you sneeze and the muscles relax, it releases pressure. Anytime you release pressure, it feels good...There's also some evidence that endorphins are released, which causes your body to feel good". Endorphins induce the brain's reward system, and because sneezes occur in a quick burst, so does the pleasure.[30]

In non-humans

A sneezing zebra

Sneezing is not confined to humans or even mammals. Many animals including cats,[31] dogs,[32] chickens[33] and iguanas[34] sneeze. African wild dogs use sneezing as a form of communication, especially when considering a consensus in a pack on whether or not to hunt.[35] Some breeds of dog are predisposed to reverse sneezing.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sneeze". The Free Dictionary. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  2. ^ "Sleep On, Sneeze Not". A Moment of Science. Indiana University. Archived from the original on 23 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  3. S2CID 26718567
    .
  4. ^ "Myth: Can sneezing with your eyes open make your eyeballs pop out?". Myth Busters.
  5. ^ Goldman JG (June 24, 2015). "Why looking at the sun makes us sneeze". BBC Future. BBC. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  6. S2CID 10884414
    .
  7. PMID 2769729
    .
  8. PMID 9721404
    .
  9. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Central Maine Medical Center. "Why Don't We Do It In Our Sleeves". CoughSafe. CMMC, St. Mary's Hospital, Maine Medical Association. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  10. PMID 23560060
    .
  11. PMID 32631450
    .
  12. ^ Laurie L. Dove (2015). "Why does tickling the roof of your mouth with your tongue stifle a sneeze?". HowStuffWorks.com.
  13. ISBN 978-0-323-01425-0.[page needed
    ]
  14. S2CID 58587363
    .
  15. PMID 26914240
    .
  16. ^ Xenophon. Anabasis. Book 3, chapter 2, paragraph 9.
  17. ^ "Why Do We Say "Waheguru!" Every Time We Sneeze?". Sikhing Answers – V.
  18. ^ "Why do we say this when a person sneezes or hiccups?". India Study Channel. 24 January 2015.
  19. ISBN 978-90-209-3510-3
    .
  20. S2CID 71281077
    .
  21. 詩經·終風
    [The Book of Songs - Final Wind] (in Chinese). If you speak insomnia, you will sneeze.
  22. ^ "Where Did The Word "Achoo" Come From?". Dictionary.com. 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  23. ^ Bukhari SA. "When somebody sneezes, what should be said?". Sunnah.com.
  24. ^ "Does your heart stop when you sneeze?". Everyday Mysteries: Fun Science Facts. The Library of Congress.
  25. ^ "'Bless you': Social convention or theological statement? | UU World Magazine". www.uuworld.org. 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  26. PMID 19092028
    .
  27. S2CID 196423179
    .
  28. LiveScience
    .
  29. ^ Terlato P (1 June 2015). "We asked a sexologist if the theory about sneezing and orgasms was true – here's what she said". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 23 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  30. ^ DeRusha J (17 April 2012). "Good Question: Why Does Sneezing Feel So Good?". CBS Minnesota.
  31. ^ "Why Cats Sneeze". WebMD.
  32. ^ "My Pet Is Sneezing and Snorting. What's Going On?". Vet Street. 19 September 2011.
  33. ^ "Why is my Chicken Sneezing?". Keeping Chickens. Archived from the original on 2015-05-17. Retrieved 2015-04-18.
  34. ^ Kaplan M (1 January 2014). "Sneezing and Yawning". Herp Care Collection.
  35. PMID 28878054
    .

Further reading

External links

  • The dictionary definition of sneeze at Wiktionary
  • Media related to Sneezing at Wikimedia Commons
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