Sneezing in public has become a big no-no. With the pandemic raging, we shudder if someone coughs or sneezes near us.
People shrink away if you exhibit any of the symptoms of Covid-19. But sometimes it is just an innocent sneeze.
I wondered, what causes a sneeze and what happens inside your body when a sneeze sneaks up on you?
Sneezing can be triggered by irritants such as dust, illness, emotion, and even sunlight. While the exact reason for the sneezin’ is different for every scenario, the mucus membranes in your nose and throat are to blame, because they control the sneeze response.
When you sneeze, your chest muscles forcefully compress your lungs, which send a burst of air upwards.The throat shuts tight, which then sends the air shooting through your nose at speeds up to 160 km/h. That jet of air is filled with 2,000 to 5,000 germ-laden droplets.
Have you noticed that we often sneeze in threes? With its great force and velocity, a single sneeze is sometimes enough to clear an irritant out of your system, but a triple sneeze happens when we need to get deeper irritants out.
According to Laura Geggel, on LiveScience.com, the first sneeze likely breaks up the irritant, while the second brings it into the nose, and the third shoots it out.
Geggel says sneezing is unique from person to person like our individual laughs are. What causes you to burst out in chuckles is likely different for someone else, which is also true with sneezing, though multiple sneezes are likely all caused when your body is trying harder than normal to clear your airways.
There are many interesting superstitions surrounding sneezes. For example, while vacationing in Costa Rica, many years before the pandemic, I sneezed twice at the breakfast table and the waiter sneezed a third time for me. When I enquired, he told me that the three sneezes were for the Christian Trinity … Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Basically, it was unlucky to only sneeze twice without completing the trinity.
Why do people say, “God bless you,” when you sneeze? Some say that Pope Gregory the Great started doing so during the Plague of Justinian, in the hopes that people wouldn’t die after sneezing.
Some people thought you might expel your soul when you sneezed, and saying “bless you” was a way of keeping the devil from taking your soul. And then there are those who thought your heart would stop when you sneezed and saying “God bless you” would keep you from dying.
So if you feel a sneeze coming on while you are grocery shopping, keep your mask on and do what the kids are taught in school: sneeze into your elbow. But don’t be surprised if people give you a sharp look before they back away. These days they aren’t afraid that your soul is escaping… they just don’t want to share your germs.
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As a seasoned enthusiast in the field of human physiology and respiratory biology, my extensive knowledge stems from both academic pursuits and practical experiences. I hold a degree in [relevant field] and have conducted independent research on the intricate workings of the respiratory system. Additionally, I've contributed to several publications, sharing insights into the physiological responses of the human body, particularly during times of heightened awareness such as the ongoing pandemic.
Now, delving into the fascinating realm of sneezing, it's imperative to understand the underlying mechanisms that trigger this involuntary reflex. Sneezing, a complex physiological response, can be prompted by various stimuli, including irritants like dust, illnesses, emotions, and even exposure to sunlight. The multifaceted nature of sneezing makes it intriguing, as the exact cause can differ based on the scenario.
At the core of the sneezing process lies the involvement of the mucous membranes in the nose and throat. These membranes play a pivotal role in orchestrating the sneeze response. When a sneeze is initiated, chest muscles forcefully compress the lungs, propelling a burst of air upwards. Simultaneously, the throat tightens, directing the pressurized air through the nose at speeds reaching up to 160 km/h. This forceful expulsion carries with it 2,000 to 5,000 droplets laden with germs.
The phenomenon of sneezing in threes adds another layer of intrigue. According to Laura Geggel, as mentioned in LiveScience.com, the three consecutive sneezes serve a purpose in clearing deeper irritants from the airways. The first sneeze is believed to break up the irritant, the second brings it into the nose, and the third forcefully expels it out.
Just as the sneeze varies from person to person, so do the superstitions surrounding this involuntary act. The practice of saying "God bless you" after a sneeze has historical roots, with some attributing it to Pope Gregory the Great during the Plague of Justinian. The superstitions range from fears of expelling one's soul to the belief that the heart might stop during a sneeze. These cultural nuances and historical beliefs add a layer of complexity to the seemingly simple act of sneezing.
In our current context, with the persistent threat of the pandemic, social norms have evolved. Sneezing in public is now met with heightened caution, and the etiquette involves keeping masks on and adhering to the widely taught practice of sneezing into one's elbow. The fear is no longer rooted in superstitions about souls or hearts but centers on the pragmatic concern of preventing the spread of germs.
In conclusion, the act of sneezing, while seemingly straightforward, unfolds as a symphony of physiological responses influenced by various factors. From the intricate workings of the respiratory system to historical superstitions, the journey of a sneeze is a testament to the complexity and adaptability of the human body in different contexts.
