We all get the urge to sneeze from time to time. It’s the human body’s natural mechanism to protect the airway, and is most often triggered by particles from dust, pollen, or smoke. When your nose becomes irritated, the sneeze reflex kicks in. Your nervous system responds with a signal to open your mouth and fill your lungs with air, overriding your usual breathing. The air is then pushed out by your diaphragm and abdominal muscles, causing your eyes to close. Your vocal cords engage and vibrate when this powerful gust goes by, just as they would when you talk or sing, resulting in the characteristic noise of the sneeze.
There are other, less obvious reasons why people sneeze. Some individuals feel the urge to sneeze in bursts (as few as one sneeze or as many as 10 sneezes) whenever they encounter a bright light or a change in light intensity. This is known as “photic sneezing” or the “ACHOO syndrome,” which is an acronym for “Autosomal-dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst.” It may be caused by a confusion of nerve signals, with the nervous system mixing up the stimulus of a change in light intensity with irritation in the nasal cavity.
The photic sneeze reflex is a congenital condition that could affect up to one-third of the world’s population. Some research suggests that it’s more common in women than in men, and especially in individuals with a deviated nasal septum. The condition itself is not dangerous, though the photic sneeze reflex could lead to dangerous situations if triggered while operating a motor vehicle or flying a plane.
Managing the photic sneeze reflex can often be accomplished by simply wearing a hat or sunglasses to avoid exposure to dramatic changes in brightness. Antihistamines that usually treat seasonal allergies may also reduce the frequency of photic sneezing.
Gesundheit!
- Plucking your eyebrows is another factor that can cause people to sneeze, triggered by stimulating the trigeminal nerve. Other common causes include having a very full stomach (known as “snatiation”) or eating certain foods, especially spicy foods (“gustatory rhinitis”).
- Did you know that it’s possible to control the volume of your sneeze? The next time you feel a big “achoo” coming at an inconvenient moment, try exhaling before the sneeze erupts to release some of the pressure. You can also try relaxing your vocal cords or keeping your mouth closed so that the air pressure is released through your nose.
- No matter where you are, it’s always better to sneeze than to try to hold it in, as the contained air pressure could lead to throat damage or even hearing loss. After all, when you sneeze, the air is expelled at speeds of up to 100 mph (161 km/h).
