$Unique_ID{BRK01088}
$Pretitle{Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare Diseases}
$Title{What Causes Sneezing Episodes and do They Cause Damage to Heart?}
$Subject{sneezing allergy}
$Volume{N-6}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Causes Sneezing Episodes and do They Cause Damage to Heart?


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QUESTION:  My husband claims that when you sneeze, your heart stops.  Isn't
this an old wive's tale?  He will have sneezing episodes for anywhere from 3
to 15 minutes.  What causes this and what damage is he doing to his heart?  He
claims he has had such episodes for about 20 years.

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ANSWER:  Sneezing is an uncontrollable reflex that occurs when something
irritates the upper air passages, such as the nose or pharynx.  First a large
amount of air is pulled into the lungs and then pushed out by the breathing
muscles in a rapid and forceful manner, so that a large volume of air passes
through the nose and mouth at great speed.  This is designed to clear the
passages of the cause of the irritation.  The heart does not stop during this
action, although the rate may be altered by the changes in the timing and
pattern of breathing.  Your husband, therefore, is inflicting no damage to his
heart, as his 20 years of experiences surely proves.  Sneezing is frequently
caused by allergens such as pollen, or the increased mucous flow in the nasal
passages provoked by a cold.  However, other irritations may be the root of
the problem, such as cigarette smoke, an abrupt change in air humidity or
temperature, the smell of certain perfumes and even bright light or high
pitched sounds in certain sensitive individuals.  No damage occurs, provided
the sneeze is not suppressed but allowed to happen, while mouth and nose are
gently covered to prevent the spread of germ carrying droplets.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
