Sneezing

Sneezing Overview

Sneezing is a protective reflex which usually happens suddenly and without any warning. A sneeze is a powerful, involuntary expulsion of air. It’s the body’s way of removing irritants from the nose or throat. Sneezing is also known as sternutation is a routine function in humans and many animals. While sneezing as a symptom can be quite annoying, it’s not usually the result of any serious health problem.

People sneeze to remove from the nasal cavities mucus containing foreign particles or irritants. A sneeze (or sternutation) expels air forcibly from the mouth and nose in an explosive, spasmodic involuntary action caused mainly from irritation of the nasal mucous membrane. During a sneeze, the soft palate and palatine uvula are lowered while the back of the tongue rises to partially close the passage to the mouth so that air expelled by the lungs can exist the nose. Because the mouth closes only partially, much of this air is also expelled through it; the power and amount of air pushed through the nose varies. There is actually a “sneezing center” in the brain that causes the nose to react to stimulants. The sudden air can be expelled by the nose at high speeds of 1 kPa through the upper airways.

What Triggers a Sneeze

Many things can trigger a sneeze, sneezing can be triggered through cold, sudden exposure to bright light, a particularly full stomach and physical stimulants of the trigeminal nerve, as a result of central nervous system pathologies such as epilepsy, posterior inferior cerebellar artery syndrome or as a symptom of psychogenic pathologies. Further more, sneezing can also be triggered by a drop in temperature or a cold breeze, allergies, exposure to chemicals, a full stomach, having or thinking about sex and orgasm, touching something, being exposed to an electric current. Sneezing is the semi-autonomous , convulsive expulsion of air through the lungs and the mouth, usually caused by foreign particles irritating the nasal mucosa.

Sneezing is a coordinated protective respiratory reflex which occurs due to stimulation of the upper respiratory tract, particularly the nasal cavity. The sneeze reflex frequently accompanies rhinitis of allergic or nonallergic origin. Sneezing can also arise due to bright light or sun (ACHOO syndrome), physical stimulants of the trigeminal nerve, psychogenic or central nervous system pathologies and even due to a full stomach (snatiation reflex) or a sexual ideation.

Sneezing does not Occur during sleep

Sneezing does not occur at any time, for examples when you are in a deep rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, you can’t sneeze because your body has gone into a state of atonia when the motor neurons cannot be stimulated and the brain does not receive signals of reflexes. But if you wake up in the middle of (REM) sleep you can start sneezing. The sneeze reflex involves various nerves in the brainstem that control muscles in the throat and lungs.

Signs and Symptoms of Sneezing

Depending upon the reason for the sneezing, other symptoms can also occur, including:

Burning, itchy, or watery eyes
Nasal congestion or runny nose
Sore throat
Cough
Fever
Chills

Causes of Sneezing

Sneezing can be triggered by a variety of things, including:

Allergens
Anesthetics
Viruses, such as the common cold or flu
Nasal irritants
Inhalation of corticosteroids through a nasal spray
Drug withdrawal

Other Causes of Sneezing

Air Pollutants
Cold Air
Drug Withdrawal
Dust
Exposure to Bright Light
Medications
Spicy Foods
Strong Emotions
Viral Infection
Capsaicin

Capsaicin, the active chemical component of chili peppers, is a prime cause of sneezing for both animals and humans. Inhaling it produces a sensation of burning in any tissue with which it comes into contact.

Part of your nose’s job is to clean the air we breathe, making sure it’s free of dirt and bacteria. In most cases, our nose traps this dirt and bacteria in mucus. Your stomach then digests the mucus, which neutralizes any potentially harmful invaders. Sometimes, however, dirt and debris can enter your nose and irritate the sensitive mucous membranes inside your nose and throat. When these membranes become irritated, it causes you to sneeze.

A widely used anesthetic called propofol (Diprivan) that anesthesiologists use can cause multiple sneezing, according to a study in a CMAJ. Some patients react so strongly to this that the operating table shakes, causing the surgeon problems. One involuntarily sneezing patient was even stabbed in the eye by the surgeon’s scalpel. Yet the psychoactive substances known as opioids such as Fentanyl have been found to prevent sneezing during surgery, especially on the eyes.

Allergies

Sneezing and nasal itching (LAS) as a result of allergies is caused by inflammation of the nasal passages. Allergic rhinitis, known as hay fever, is a term used to describe allergic reactions in the nose. Allergies are an extremely common condition caused by the body’s response to foreign organisms. Under normal circumstances, the body’s immune system protects you from harmful invaders such as disease-causing bacteria. If you have allergies, your body’s immune system identifies typically harmless organisms as threats. Allergies can cause you to sneeze when your body tries to expel these organisms.

The difference between allergic sneezing and infectious sneezes is that the latter involves a rise in body temperature. The best ways to avoid allergies are to avoid being exposed to the allergen or to take antihistamine mediations.

Infections

Infections caused by viruses such as the common cold and flu can also make you sneeze. There are more than 200 different viruses that can cause the common cold. However, most colds are the result of the rhinovirus.

Less common causes of Sneezing

Other, less common causes of sneezing include:

Trauma to the nose
Withdrawal from certain drugs, such as opioid narcotics
Inhaling irritants, including dust and pepper
Breathing cold air

Treatment of Sneezing

One of the best ways to keep from sneezing is to avoid the Allergens that trigger you to sneeze. You can also make some simple changes in your life to reduce exposure irritants.

Avoidance

Outdoor Exposure

Stay indoors as much as possible when pollen counts are at their peak, usually during the midmorning and early evening (this may vary according to plant pollen), and when wind is blowing pollens around.
Avoid using window fans that can draw pollens and molds into the house.
Wear glasses or sunglasses when outdoors to minimize the amount of pollen getting into your eyes.
Don’t hang clothing outdoors to dry; pollen may cling to towels and sheets.
Try not to rub your eyes; doing so will irritate them and could make your symptoms worse.

Indoor Exposure

Keep windows closed and use air conditioning in your car and home. Make sure to keep your air conditioning unit clean.
Reduce exposure to dust mites, especially in the bedroom. Use “mite-proof” covers for pillows, comforters and duvets, and mattresses and box springs. Wash your bedding frequently, using hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit).
To limit exposure to mold, keep the humidity in your home low (between 30 and 50 percent) and clean your bathrooms, kitchen, and basement regularly. Use a dehumidifier, especially in the basement and in other damp, humid places, and empty and clean it often. If mold is visible, clean it with mild detergent and a 5 percent bleach solution as directed by an allergist.
Clean floors with a damp rag or mop, rather than dry-dusting or sweeping.

Exposure to Pets

Wash your hands immediately after petting any animals; wash your clothes after visiting friends with pets.
If you are allergic to a household pet, keep your pet out of your home as much as possible. If the pet must be inside, keep it out of your bedroom so you are not exposed to pet allergens while you sleep.
Close the air ducts to your bedroom if you have forced-air or central heating or cooling. Replace carpeting with hardwood, tile, or linoleum, all of which are easier to keep dander-free.

Medications

Many allergens that trigger sneezing are airborne, so you can’t always avoid them. If your symptoms can’t be well-controlled by simply avoiding triggers, your allergist may recommend medications that reduce nasal congestion, sneezing, and an itchy and runny nose. They are available in many forms oral tablets, liquid medication, nasal sprays and eyedrops. Some medications may have side effects, so discuss these treatments with your allergist so they can help you live the life you want.

Intranasal Corticosteroids

Intranasal corticosteroids are the single most effective drug class for treating allergies, they can significantly reduce sneezing as well as nasal congestion and itching and a runny nose. These sprays are designed to avoid the side effects that may occur from steroids that are taken by mouth or injection.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are also used to treat sneezing and allergies, these medications counter the effects of histamine, the irritating chemical released within the body when an allergic reaction takes place. Although other chemicals are involved, histamine is primarily responsible for causing the symptoms.

Antihistamines help to relieve nasal allergy symptoms such as:

Sneezing and an itchy, runny nose
Eye itching, burning, tearing and redness
Itchy skin, hives and eczema

Nasal sprays that have a corticosteroid in them reduce inflammation in your nasal passages and decrease the frequency of sneezing.

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