Why Do We Sneeze

Posted on August 8, 2008
Filed Under Health & Fitness |

Sneezing is something we all do, probably several times a day without warning and more often than not as a reaction to an irritation in the nose. Some people have allergies, and they sneeze when they are exposed to certain things, such as animal fur, or pollen. When the inside of your nose gets a tickle, a message is sent to a special part of your brain called the sneeze center.

The sneeze center then sends a message to all the muscles that have to work together to create the amazingly complicated process that we call sneezing. Once someone has discovered a trigger fotr the sneeze, it should be possible to nullify the effect by avoidance. However, there are around 10% of the population of this planet - and I include myself in this little group - who have outbreaks of sneezing brought on by something that, unless we lock ourselves indoors, is virtually impossible to evade - the sun!.

That’s right we only have to step out in to the sunlight after a period indoors, where the pupils have adapted to a darker environment, and you can guarantee we will immediately sneeze 2 or 3 times. We are often the source of great amusement to our friends and family and they find it a little hard to grasp that the sun could have this effect. Well they did until now, because Scientists have now recognised the condition and have actually given it an official name, and you have to admire their sense of humour, as they‘ve given this form of sneezing the name: Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst Syndrome, or ADCHOO!

The condition is actually better known as the photic sneeze reflex. It is believed that the cranial nerves run very close to one another inside the head.When a stimulus as bright as the sun strikes the optic nerve through the eye, it stimulates a reflex reaction in the nearby olfactory nerve, causing the sneeze. So next time you look suspiciously at someone sneezing uncontrollably after emerging from a darkened building, don’t ridicule them, be thankful that you’re part of the 90% who can simply enjoy the sunshine!

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