Sneezing refers to the body's reflex reaction, which allows you to clear the airways. It occurs with irritation of the nasal mucosa. This can occur from dust particles, pollen and other allergens. The reaction can appear from excessive reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms on the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx. What is sneezing, as well as the causes of this ailment are presented in the article.
The concept
What is sneezing? This is an unconditioned reflex that occurs in humans and animals. With a sharp exhalation through the nasopharynx, all foreign bodies from the respiratory organs are eliminated. This reaction occurs from dust particles, pollen, fluff and chemical components. A reflex appears from severe irritation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
And what is sneezing as a process? It occurs in several stages:
- Tickling in my nose.
- Then a deep breath is taken, and the lungs are filled with air.
- Then there is a slight rise in the sky, and a reduction in the arches placed in the throat, the base of the tongue is tensed. Due to these changes, the nasopharynx and oral cavity are isolated.
- The person closes his eyes. If they are open, sneezing will not work.
- There is a contraction of the abdominal muscles and the area between the ribs. The diaphragm tightens, overlapping the glottis.
- With sneezing, an increase in intra-abdominal and intrathoracic pressure is performed.
- A man sneezes, the air exhales sharply.
If sneezing is frequent, a person can take several breaths between them. For 1 attack it happens up to 20 times. This is observed with severe irritation of the mucosa. There is the so-called reflex arc of sneezing: receptor irritation - medulla oblongata - sneezing. This explains the mechanism of this phenomenon.
This information fully explains what sneezing is. It can occur both rarely and often. When this is observed very often, it causes discomfort.
Causes
Reflex sneezing comes from allergies and respiratory ailments. Irritation of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx is observed from:
- Toxins formed on the nasopharyngeal mucosa, due to the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms. With repeated sneezing, this is the first sign of a respiratory illness. In this case, other cold symptoms are also noticeable: runny nose, sore throat, and weakness.
- Allergens. The irritant may be household dust, pollen, fluff of animals and some products. Allergy is almost always supplemented by lacrimation and a runny nose, and some water leaks from the nose.
- The sharp aromas of perfumes, household cleaning products and other chemical components. Sneezing comes from tobacco smoke and heavily polluted air. Often a person sneezes a lot after a walk near a busy highway.
- Foreign body in the nose. It can be a piece of fluff from a dandelion or a small object. During games, children often stuff small objects in their nose that lead to a sneezing reflex.
- Abrupt changes in temperature. For example, when leaving in the winter from the house to the street.
- Exposure to the bright sun. This is due to the fact that the rays irritate the eyes, and they will watery, tears are partially removed through the lacrimal tubules in the nose and irritate the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx.
Sneezing without fever, followed by the passage of mucus is considered a normal reaction of the body. No treatment is needed for this. But this is the norm when sneezing does not occur very often. When this phenomenon is frequent, it may indicate a pathology.
When sneezing comes from allergies, itching appears in the nasal mucosa and tearing of the eyes. There are also skin rashes of a different plan. Identifying an allergy will not be difficult. All allergy symptoms appear after walking around flowering plants, playing with animals, or being in a dusty room. Some foods and household chemicals can lead to allergies.
If there is a temperature when sneezing, then this is associated with a cold. There may also be a sore throat, malaise. In this case, sneezing is not harmless. If you pay attention to this symptom in a timely manner, it will turn out to quickly begin treatment, to prevent the spread of infection throughout the body.
When sneezing, do not pinch your nose, because the air pressure at this time is large, eardrum can be damaged. Due to improper sneezing, the infection can spread to the sinuses.
Diseases
Sneezing occurs when:
- ARVI.
- Influenza
- A cold.
- Corey.
- Chicken pox.
- Allergies.
- Wreck pregnant.
- Allergic rhinitis.
- Vasomotor rhinitis.
These ailments have a health hazard, therefore it is necessary to consult a doctor. The specialist will diagnose and then make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Diagnostics
After going to the hospital, diagnostic measures are prescribed to determine the cause of sneezing. You need to contact the otolaryngologist. During the examination, he reveals colds, but additional tests are usually not required.
The rhinoscopy technique is applied. Using an optical device that has mirrors, a nasopharynx and nasal mucosa are examined by a doctor. Since a back view is provided, the doctor, based on the results of imaging, makes up the whole picture for the diagnosis.
If it is revealed that sneezing occurs from allergic rhinitis, a special test is needed to establish the exact type of allergen. The diagnosis after obtaining the results of the study puts an allergist.
Allergy treatment
If sneezing without a runny nose is observed, then this occurs from an allergy. If you want to sneeze, do not suppress this symptom. This probably helps eliminate pathogens in the nasopharynx. People do not often get colds very often, not only because of good immunity, but because of the periodic cleansing of the respiratory tract through sneezing.
If this symptom occurs with allergies, then allergens must be avoided and antihistamines should be taken in a timely manner. Usually people who are prone to allergies take antiallergenic drugs before blooming the vegetation. Such drugs as Cetrin, Claritin, and Loratadin are effective. They have a prolonged effect, so they need to be taken only 1 time per day.
Cold treatment
If the reflex appears from a respiratory illness, then this is accompanied by:
- high fever and chills;
- headache, weakness;
- sore throat and coughing;
- decreased appetite;
- drowsiness.
If there is pain when sneezing, then it is likely that it is a cold. Treatment should be comprehensive. The main task is to eliminate unpleasant symptoms and protect against complications. To avoid frequent sneezing, the doctor recommends:
- Rinse your nose often with saline or a decoction of anti-inflammatory herbs.
- Timely nose, and the handkerchief must be changed after a few hours.
- Take a cold medicine prescribed by your doctor.
- More rest in the early days of the disease.
Frequent sneezing appears only in the first 2 days, and then the irritation of the mucous membrane is not strong, so the sneezing reflex practically does not appear. Treatment involves the use of folk recipes, many of which have excellent effects.
Proper sneezing
To prevent the spread of infection, you need to properly sneeze. Do not cover your nose with your fingers. But, in order not to attract people's attention, you need to follow simple recommendations:
- When sneezing, you need to hide behind a disposable handkerchief, and then it curls up and throws itself out. Blow your nose better in paper scarves. This will exclude self-infection and infection of other people.
- When sneezing, you need to cover your mouth and nose not with your palm, but with your elbow. This allows you to prevent the spread of infection, since the ability to wash your hands is not always.
- If sneezing is associated with allergens, then a person needs to go to a place where there will be less irritating components.
If the reflex lasts several days, then this exhausts the person. To quickly eliminate this symptom, rinse your nose with saline. Causes of sneezing are usually found in respiratory ailments and allergies. You should not restrain yourself, because with the help of a sneezing reflex, the airways are cleansed and protected against inflammation.
Folk remedies
Treatment with alternative recipes is an effective method if supplemented with drug therapy and agreed with the doctor. The following are effective:
- It will require menthol and camphor oil, which are mixed in equal amounts. This method eliminates nasal congestion in a short time and eliminates sneezing. Drip should be 2 drops in each nostril 2 times a day.
- The solution from Ledum helps. To prepare the product, you need 1 tbsp. l dried grass and 2 tbsp. l olive oil. The components are mixed and insisted in a dark place during the day. Then you need to instill 1 drop 3 times a day.
Complications
Do not hold back sneezing, as it is harmful. In this case, air is sent to the Eustachian arch, and then to the middle ear, which can lead to otitis media. From high flow rates there is a risk of damage to the eardrum. When germs are spread in the paranasal sinuses, sinusitis appears.
When the nose and mouth are clamped while sneezing, negative consequences also appear. There are cases when, due to a sharp movement of the head with strong sneezing, the intervertebral discs in the cervical region get a gap. Therefore, it is important to sneeze correctly, as well as treat diseases and engage in preventive measures.
Prevention
To prevent sneezing, it is important to follow preventive measures. To do this, avoid contact with infected people in order to prevent the appearance of influenza and SARS. For protection, medical masks, respirators or special preparations are used.
In cold weather, you need to dress warmly. After a walk or a long stay in places where there were a lot of people, the nasal cavity should be washed with saline solutions. You need to play sports and adhere to a healthy lifestyle. You should abandon cigarettes, normalize nutrition and observe the daily routine.