Is Holding A Sneeze Dangerous? Here's What Doctor Says

Sneezing is an inborn defence mechanism- your body trying to get rid of irritants like dust, pollen or microbes out of your nose. However, suppressing a sneeze, in many situations is attempted by many, either because one does not want to get noticed or it is practice to try to keep hygienic. Although better motives may be on heart, trying to suppress a sneeze may prove to be inconsiderate on some occasions. In a conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. Saroj Kumar Yadav, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Aakash Healthcare explained what happens when you suppress a sneeze.

The Science Behind A Sneeze

Sneezing is not merely a common reflex. It is a combined action of the muscles of the chest, diaphragm, the throat as well as the facial muscles. At that point, a sneeze is capable of emitting air in the range of more than 100 miles per hour. Such a high velocity is energetic enough to wash away the foreign particles in your nasal airways.

Imagine it all now and trying to stop that pressure. When you seal your nose by pinching it or you clamp your mouth to avoid sneezing, you are pushing that accumulated pressure into your head again. This has the ability to cause sinus pressure, ear and even the blood vessels. Some people have experienced ruptured eardrums, nosebleeds, facial swelling and injuries in the throat in the few documented cases when they hold a sneeze.

Some other reports point to even worse effects like pneumomediastinum (air trapped in the chest cavity) which can occur in the case of forcing air into the surrounding tissues in the case of a blocked sneeze. These might seem extreme, yet there is a point to the dangers of messing with natural reflex.

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Is It Okay To Suppress A Sneeze?

In some cases, where one is trying to suppress a sneeze, this need not necessarily cause adversities, particularly when it is a minor sneeze. Nevertheless, doing it habitually or forcibly may cause stress to fragile internal frameworks. Chronic cases of sinusitis, nasal congestion or cases of ear problems put people at risk when sneezing is suppressed.

Become good at using a tissue or sneezing into the crevice of your elbow so as to control the spread of germs. Do not use your hand because this will give rise to more infections. When you have the urge to sneeze in an open space where there is the need to be quiet, be very gentle when sneezing; however, avoid holding it completely.

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Conclusion

Catching a cold makes your body defend itself through sneezing. As a professional, I do not encourage holding in a sneeze, particularly forcefully. The force your body applies when you sneeze has to be dealt with and not held. Therefore, remember to sneeze the next time it happens but safely and politely.