Doctors talked about the dangers of restraining sneezing

Sneezing on a crowded bus, at a meeting, or during a performance is a situation that many consider awkward. Therefore, some people instinctively hold their nose and mouth, trying to suppress sneezing. However, doctors warn that although in most cases nothing terrible happens, such a habit can still be unsafe. The reason to discuss this issue again was the material from Popular Science magazine, in which experts explained why a person needs a sneezing reflex at all and why you shouldn't try to stop it too often. About how sneezing works, what risks are associated with its suppression, and when to consult a doctor, see the Izvestia article.

Not just a reflex: why does a person need to sneeze

Sneezing is a natural protective reflex that helps the body to clear the upper respiratory tract of irritants. It can be caused by dust particles, plant pollen, animal hair, tobacco smoke, pungent odors, viruses and other substances that irritate the nasal mucosa. From a medical point of view, sneezing itself helps to prevent potentially dangerous particles from entering deeper into the respiratory tract.

This process starts automatically. After irritation of the nasal mucosa, the nerve endings transmit a signal to the brainstem, where the sneezing reflex is coordinated. Then the person takes a deep breath, the muscles of the chest, diaphragm and abdomen contract sharply, and a powerful stream of air through the nose and mouth pushes out the mucus and particles trapped in it. That is why experts consider sneezing as one of the important mechanisms of protection of the respiratory system.

Although sneezing often causes inconvenience to others, doctors do not advise intentionally suppressing this reflex. It is much safer to let it happen by following the rules of respiratory etiquette: cover your mouth and nose with a disposable napkin or a bent elbow, and then treat your hands. This approach simultaneously helps the body get rid of the irritant and reduces the risk of transmission of respiratory infections to other people.

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What happens if you try to stop sneezing

When a person holds his nose and mouth at the same time, the air that should come out remains inside the respiratory tract. The pressure in the nasal cavity, pharynx and middle ear increases dramatically, and the body has to redistribute it to the surrounding tissues. That is why experts do not recommend regularly suppressing the sneezing reflex: although in most cases this does not lead to consequences, such a habit cannot be called completely safe.

Although most people who once stop sneezing will not face any complications, rare cases of serious injuries are described in the medical literature. Thus, the journal BMJ Case Reports published an observation of a patient who, after trying to suppress a strong sneeze, had a rupture of the pharyngeal tissues with air entering the soft tissues of the neck and mediastinum. The man was hospitalized, and after treatment he fully recovered, but the authors of the work emphasized that such cases are extremely unusual and extremely rare.

A review article published by American otorhinolaryngologists in the journal Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery notes that medical practice also describes isolated cases of damage to the eardrum, injuries to the larynx, paranasal sinuses and blood vessels associated with very severe sneezing or its suppression. However, the researchers emphasize that such complications are so rare that they are published as individual clinical observations, rather than as a common occurrence.

When does a restrained sneeze really become a reason to consult a doctor?

In most cases, an attempt to suppress sneezing does not lead to serious consequences. However, if severe neck or chest pain, difficulty swallowing, voice changes, hearing loss, severe dizziness or nosebleeds occur immediately after this, doctors recommend not delaying seeking medical help. Although such complications are rare, they may indicate tissue damage or barotrauma that requires examination.

Cases when a person starts sneezing too often also deserve special attention. By itself, this symptom does not always indicate a cold. It can be caused by seasonal allergies, exposure to irritating substances, upper respiratory tract infections, and sometimes certain medications. If sneezing attacks last for several weeks, accompanied by nasal congestion, fever, shortness of breath or other pronounced symptoms, it is worth contacting a therapist or an otorhinolaryngologist to find out the cause.

Doctors also remind you that it is better not to try to stop sneezing, but to make it as safe as possible for others. To do this, it is recommended to cover your mouth and nose with a disposable napkin, and if not, with a bent elbow. After that, you should throw away the used napkin and thoroughly wash or treat your hands. It is this kind of respiratory etiquette that helps to simultaneously reduce the risk of virus spread and does not prevent the body from performing its protective function.

Why do doctors advise against fighting the natural reflex?

The main conclusion of experts is simple: most people should not be afraid of sneezing itself. It is part of the normal functioning of the respiratory system and helps the body get rid of potentially dangerous irritants even before they penetrate deeper into the respiratory tract. That is why doctors do not recommend intentionally pinching your nose and mouth every time you feel like sneezing.

At the same time, you should not overestimate the danger of restrained sneezing. The severe complications described in the medical literature do exist, but they remain extremely rare. Most of these publications represent isolated clinical cases precisely because the probability of their occurrence is extremely low. For the vast majority of people, one unsuccessful attempt to restrain a sneeze will not end in serious injury.

Nevertheless, experts agree that it is not necessary to regularly suppress this reflex. If the body is trying to get rid of an irritant, it is safer to allow it to do so in a natural way, observing hygiene rules. According to experts, it is much easier to cover your face with a napkin or elbow than to create excessive pressure inside the respiratory tract, even if the risk of complications remains minimal.