Sneezing is your body’s way of removing irritants from your nose or throat. It is a powerful, involuntary expulsion of air. It often happen suddenly and without warning. Another name for sneezing is ‘’sternutation.’’ It is also a mechanism to clear the nose. When foreign matter such as dirt, pollen, smoke or dust enters the nostrils, the nose usually becomes irritated and tickled. When this happens, your body does what it needs to clear the nose- it causes a sneeze which is one of your body’s defenses against invading bacteria and bugs.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SNEEZE?
When a foreign particle enters your nose, it may interact with the tiny hairs and delicate skin that lines your nasal passage. These particles and contaminants range from smoke pollution, and perfume to bacteria, when the delicate lining of your nose experiences the first tinge of a foreign substance, it sends an electric signal to your brain. This signal tells your brain that the nose needs to clear itself. The brain signals your body that it’s time for a sneeze, and your body responds by preparing itself for the impending contraction. In most cases, the eyes are forced shut, the tongue moves to the roof of the mouth and the muscles brace for the sneeze all of which happens in just a few seconds.
Sneezes also perform another vital role in the body. It is the body’s natural way to ‘’reset’’. The cells that line the tissue inside the nose, are rebooted with a sneeze, in other words sneeze resets the entire nasal environment.
FACTS ABOUT SNEEZING.
- Sneezing starts in your nerves.
- Sneezing helps keep your body safe by clearing the nose of bacteria and viruses.
- Sneezes are speedy. A single sneeze can send 100,000 germs into the air.
- Plucking your eyebrows may make you sneeze.
- You don’t sneeze in your sleep.
- Your workout may make you sneeze.
- Sunshine may make you sneeze.
- Sex can be a sneezing trigger. The stimulation of the of the parasympathetic nervous system fires off signals in some people to not only enjoy the act but to sneeze when it’s over.
CAUSES.
Sneezing is caused by irritation to the mucous membrane of the nose or throat. It can be very bothersome. Sneezing can happen due to:
- Allergy to pollen, mold, dander and dust.
- Breathing in corticosteroids.
- Common cold or the flue.
- Drug withdrawal.
- Triggers such as dust, air pollution, dry air, spicy foods, strong emotions, certain medicines and powders.
SYMPTOMS THAT YOU MAY SNEEZE.
- Nasal congestion or runny nose.
- Sore throat.
- Fever and chills.
SNEEZING DIAGNOSIS.
People who have been previously diagnosed with allergies, viral infections, narcotic withdrawal, corticosteroid inhalation or chronic exposure to nasal irritants are most likely to experience sneezing. While a great deal of these risks factors cannot be controlled, they can be assisted to a reasonable degree through medication. Any form of chronic sneezing may mean the onset or existence of an underlying condition, sneezing is a symptom not a disease.
TREATMENT.
In most cases sneezing requires no form of treatment. However, if the sneezing is a symptom of an allergy, the allergies should be treated, allergies are tested via a skin test, where common allergies are scratched into the skin and the allergies which the body reacts to indicate an allergic reaction. Most of them are treated by either allergy shots, allergy medication or the removal of the allergen from the environment if at all possible,
HOME REMEDIES FOR SNEEZING.
PEPPERMINT OIL. If your sneezing is due to stuffy nose, peppermint oils antibacterial properties can help. You can boil some water and add 5 drops of peppermint oils. Cover your head with a towel and breathe in the steam coming from the boiling pot. Inhaling the steam will clear your nasal passages.
FENNEL TEA. Fennel has natural antibiotic and anti-viral properties that can fight off any upper respiratory infection, including sneezing. You can boil a cup of water add two teaspoons of crushed fennel seeds and cover the pot. Soak the seeds for 15 minutes and then strain the liquid. Drink 2 cups of this tea daily to reduce the frequency of sneezing.
BLACK PEPPER. This can reduce the intensity of sneezing and a runny nose. You should mix one-half tablespoon of pepper powder with lukewarm water. Drink it two to 3 times each day.
GINGER. The most versatile herb, it is one of the oldest and effective treatment of different viral and nasal problems including sneezing. Consume 1 to 2 teaspoons of ginger extract twice a day until the sneezing stops.