Sneeze

A sternutation, sternutatory reflex or, more commonly known, sneeze is a semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the nose and mouth. This air can reach speeds of 70 m/s (250 km/h or 155 MPH), Sneezes spread disease by producing infectious droplets that are 0.5 to 5 µm in diameter, about 40,000 such droplets can be produced by a single sneeze.

Science

Cause

Sneezing is generally caused by irritation and some times bacterial clog up in the throat, lungs or in the passages of the nose. Allergens such as pollens, pet dander, house dust mites, as well as nonallergenic particles are usually harmless, but when they irritate the nose the body responds by expelling them from the nasal passages. The nose mistakes strong odors, sudden chills, bright lights (see photic sneeze reflex), and even orgasms in some people for nasal irritants, and it tries to defend itself with a sneeze.

Eyelid close response

It is often considered impossible to keep one's eyelids open during a sneeze, although some rare individuals report having little trouble. The reflex of shutting the eyes serves no obvious purpose: the nerves serving the eyes and the nose are closely related, and stimuli to the one often trigger some response in the other. Though the closing of the eyes may be to protect the tear ducts and blood vessels from bacteria expelled in the sneeze.

Beliefs and cultural aspects

In 400 BC the Athenian general Xenophon gave a dramatic oration exhorting his fellow soldiers to follow him to liberty or to death against the Persians. He spoke for an hour motivating his army and assuring them a safe return to Athens until a soldier underscored his conclusion with a sneeze. Thinking this sneeze a favorable sign from the gods, the soldiers bowed before Xenophon and followed his command. Another divine moment of sneezing for the Greeks occurs in the story of Odysseus. Odysseus returns home disguised as a beggar and talks with his waiting lover Penelope. She says to Odysseus, not knowing to whom she speaks, that he will return safely to challenge her suitors. At that moment their son sneezes loudly and Penelope laughs with joy, reassured that it is a sign from the gods.[1]

Among the pagans of Flanders, a sneeze was an omen. When Saint Eligius warned the pagans against their druidical practices, according to his companion and biographer Ouen, he included the following: "Do not observe auguries or violent sneezing or pay attention to any little birds singing along the road. If you are distracted on the road or at any other work, make the sign of the cross and say your Sunday prayers with faith and devotion and nothing inimical can hurt you."

In Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia and some Middle Eastern countries a sneeze that occurs after making a statement is sometimes interpreted as a confirmation by God that the statement was true.

In Japan, people often believe that sneezing occurs when they are being talked about or badmouthed behind their back or by a person far away.

It is a common belief in India that someone who randomly sneezes remembers or is remembered by someone dear to him or her. Most Indians consider sneezing healthy, and the inability to sneeze to be cause for alarm. Psychology Today reports that Indian scientists have labeled an inability to sneeze "asneezia"; the people of India have long used snuff as a way to artificially induce sneezing.

Onomatopoeia

The onomatopoeias for the sneeze sound are "achu" (the "a" is pronounced as the "u" in "mug"), "atisshoo" and "achoo".

In other languages

• In Arabic is "عطسة" (atsa)
• In Bulgarian is "апчих"("upchikh" pronounced "up" as the word "up", "chi" as in "children", and "kh" as "ch" in "Loch").
• In Spanish is "atchís" (pronounced "a" as in "hat", and the rest as in "cheess",

and "atchús" (pronounced "a" as in "hat", and the rest as in "chooss").

• In Portuguese is "atchim" (pronounced "at" as in "hat", and "chim" like in "chin").
• In Danish is "atjuu" (pronounced "a" as in "hat", "tj" as "ch" in "rich", and "uu" as "oo" in "Boo!").
• In Dutch is "hatsjoe" (pronounced "ha" as in "harp", "tsj" as "ch" in "rich", and "oe" as "oo" in "Boo!"), and "hatsjie" (pronounced "ha" as in "harp", and the rest as "chee" as in "cheese").
• In French is "atchoum" (pronounced "a" as in "hat", and the rest as in "choom").
• In German is "hatschi" (pronounced "ha" as in "harp", and the rest as "chee" as in "cheese").
• In Hebrew is "apchee" (pronounced "a" as in "up", and the rest as "chee" as in "cheese").
• In Hindi is "chheenk".
• In Indonesia is "'hatchi'"
• In Japanese it is "hakushon" or "kushami". Written as はくしょん or 嚏（くしゃみ).
• In Chinese it is "penti" (喷嚏)
• In Cantonese it is "hut-chi" (乞嚏)
• In Latvian it is "apčī", (pronounced "ap" as in "up" and the rest is "chee").
• In Marathi it is "shheenka".
• In Polish it is "apsik" (pronounced "apsheek").
• In Portuguese it is "atchim".
• In Slovene is "kihanje".
• In Turkish it is "hapşuu" (pronounced as "hupshoo").
• In Romanian it is "hapciu" (pronounced as "hupchue").
• In Norwegian it is "atsjo"
• In Tagalog it is "hatsing" (pronounced as "haching")
• In Thai it is "Hutchew or Hutchei" (ฮัดชิ่ว or ฮัดเช่ย) (pronounced hut as "hut" and chew as "chiu" or and chei as "chei")
• In Tamil it is "Thummal".
• In Telugu it is "Thummu".
• In Icelandic it is "Atsjú" (pronounced "achoo")

Traditional responses to a sneeze

In English-speaking countries, it is common for at least one person to say "God bless you" (or just "Bless you") after someone sneezes. This tradition originates from the Middle Ages, when it was believed that when one sneezed, the heart stops, the soul left the body and could be snatched by an evil spirit. Today, it is said mostly in the spirit of good manners. For subsequent sneezes the following phrases are uttered in turn:

1. "Bless you"
2. "Keep you"
3. "May the lord have contenance upon you"
4. "and give you peace"
5. "You are so good looking" from a popular episode of Seinfeld

In English speaking countries, the German word "Gesundheit" (which means good health) is occasionally said after a sneeze instead of "bless you."

In other languages

• In Italian, sneezing is usually followed by replying ""Salute""
• In Spanish-speaking cultures, sneezing is usually followed by replying "Salud", ("Health") also in some places they say "Jesús" (like in Spain). The sneezer then responds "Gracias" (thank you).
• However, in Puerto Rico, it is also common for someone to reply to a 2nd and 3rd sneeze with "Dinero" ("Money") and "Amor" ("Love"), respectively, after the initial "Salud".
• In Brazilian-Portuguese, sneezing is usually followed by replying "Saúde", ("Health"), and also "Santinho" meaning "Bless you".
• In Bulgarian, sneezing is usually followed by replying "Наздраве!", (Nazdrave, meaning "to [your good] health", which is answered by "Мерси" (Merci) or "Благодаря" ("Blagodarya") meaning "Thank you").
• In Romanian, sneezing is usually followed by replying "Noroc", ("Good luck") which is answered with Mersi or Multumesc ("Thank you").
• In German, Gesundheit (meaning "[Good] health [to you]") is common, but it is also used in English-speaking countries. This reply stems from the believe in olden times, that a sneeze is precursory to a serious illness.
• In Hebrew, "לבריאות" (Labriyut, meaning "to [your good] health").
• In Poland the common response "Sto lat" translates as "Hundred years", wishing hundred years of health to the sneezer. Another common response is "Na zdrowie" meaning "For [your good] health".
• Sneezing in Scandinavian countries is usually replied to with prosit ("may it benefit" in Latin). In Finland, however, the reply is usually terveydeksi ("for your good health"). This is similar to Ghana, where a sneeze is often responded to with the wish for "Good luck!"
• In some parts of India the response to a sneeze is "Live well!". In South India, especially in Kerala, it is customary to bless the sneezer. Often older Hindu people will say Ayyappa (the name of a Hindu god) or ammey ("mother" in Kerala and Tamil Nadu) after sneezing or after hearing someone sneeze, and they will tell the sneezer that someone dear to him or her is talking about them at that moment. Christians, especially Syrian Christians, respond "Eeisho" [Malayalam word for Jesus].
• In some parts of South India there is a superstition that it is a bad omen if someone sneezes just before someone is leaving for an errand, mission or task. Consequently, people often wait for some time before beginning their intended mission.
• The response in Turkey to a sneeze is similar to that in India. People often say 'May you have a long life,'(çok yaşa) or 'Live well,' (iyi yaşa) and the response is 'We'll all, together' (hep beraber) or 'You too will be able to see me living long' (sen de gör).
• In Islamic society, a sneezer generally thanks God by saying Alhamdulillah ("Praise be to God"), since Islam encourages remembering God in all situations. This is usually responded to with Yarhamukallah ("May God bestow his mercy on you") by anyone in earshot of the sneezer. This is only done twice, since with the third sneeze, the sneezer is responded to with 'Afaakallah' (May Allah heal you). If the sneezer continues sneezing and saying Alhamdulilah, others are not obliged to continue responding(unless they hear the sneeze for the first, second, or third time).
• In Chinese culture, a sneeze is a sign that someone is thinking about you and you might hear some one say yǒu rén xiǎng nǐ (有人想你), which translates into "someone is thinking about you".
• Similarly in Hong Kong, it is said that if you sneeze once or twice, someone is talking or gossiping about you. If you sneeze three times, then you are probably catching a cold.
• It is also very common for people in Hong Kong to say dai gut lei si (大吉利事) or ho geh (好0既), which both mean roughly bless you
• In Latvian, people say "Uz veselību!" which means "That's for your health!". They are answered with "Paldies!" which means "Thank you!".
• According to an old Japanese belief, sneezing twice in a row is a sign that someone is talking about you.
• In French-speaking countries, the response to a first sneeze will usually be "À tes souhaits", which literally means "To your wishes", (implying, of course, "May your wishes come true.") A second sneeze is responded to by "À tes amours" ('To your loves'), and a third "À tes enfants" ('To your children'). To the first two of these the sneezer may respond, "Que les tiens se réalisent," ("May yours come true.") and "Que les tiens durent toujours," ("May yours last forever") respectively.
• In Greece, sneezing is usually followed by replying "Γείτσες", ("Health"). The sneezer then usually responds "Ευχαριστώ", ("Thank you")
• In Russia and Ukraine, people say "Будь здоров!" ("Be healthy") in response to a sneeze. Sometimes, when somebody sneezes during a conversation, they say "Правда" ("It's a truth"), meaning that the previous statement is confirmed by sneezing.
• In Dutch, people say "Gezondheid" ("Good health") or "Proost" ("Cheers") when a person sneezes. When someone sneezes three times in succession it is believed the next day promises good weather.

• In Tamil, people say "Nooru" when a person sneezes, Blessing to live more than 100 years.
• In Telugu, people say "Chiranjeeva" when a person sneezes, Blessing to be immortal.
• In Danish and Norwegian, sometimes when a person sneezes another person in the room may say "Prosit!", which in Danish means "gid det må gavne" and in Norwegian "må det være til nytte" ("wish it will do some good"). The person that sneezed may/may not respond with "Tak" and in Norwegian "Takk" (thanks). It is generally seen as a polite gesture though it is not mandatory in most social settings (workplace etc.). It may be considered impolite not to respond with "Tak". Sometimes people will say "Prosit!" in order to voice their irritation over someone sneezing frequently or particularly loudly. Thus, there's a slight chance that the person sneezing will interpret "Prosit!" as an insult. Also, in Norway it is not uncommon for the sneezer to utter "sa brura" ("the bride said") right after a sneeze.

Nursery rhymes associated with sneezing

Sneezing has also inspired superstition-laden nursery rhymes:

Sneeze on Monday for health,

Sneeze on Tuesday for wealth,

Sneeze on Wednesday for a letter,

Sneeze on Thursday for something better,

Sneeze on Friday for sorrow,

Sneeze on Saturday, see your sweetheart tomorrow,

Sneeze on Sunday, safety seek.

In Spanish-speaking countries, when children sneeze the following is said:

One sneeze: Salud (To your health)

Two sneezes: Salud y dinero (To your health and wealth)

Three sneezes: Salud, dinero y amor (To your health, wealth and love)

Four sneezes: Salud, dinero, amor, y alergias (To your health, wealth, love, and allergies)

In French-speaking countries, sneezing is accompanied by the following phrases:

One sneeze: À vos souhaits (To your wishes)

Two sneezes: À vos rêves (To your dreams)

Three sneezes: À vos amours (To your loved ones)

In Ireland, sneezing is accompanied by the following phrase;

Sneeze followed by God bless you

Folk remedies

Folk remedies for sneezing are common. Among them are the following:

• Apply upward pressure to the bottom of your nose.
• Tickle or press against the top of your mouth with your tongue (some people have reported sneezing even more after a sneeze when tickling the top of the mouth).
• Press your tongue against the back side of your top row of teeth.
• Look up with your eyes but not your head.
• Gently bite your upper lip. The sensation will distract your nose nerves and your desire to sneeze will greatly lessen.
• Holding your breath for long enough when one feels a sneeze coming will usually prevent a sneeze. Sneezing requires air to expel, and simply eliminating the air until the nervous response goes away means no sneeze. This is immensely preferable to blocking the nose, which can result in damage to the delicate structures of the inner ears, or redirecting the sneeze through your mouth, which can result in the oral ejection of phlegm and saliva.
• Squeezing the bridge of the nose
• Look at a bright light. (In some people this will not work as with the photic sneeze reflex bright lights are sneezing triggers)
• Swallow your saliva when you feel the sneeze coming. Do this repeatedly until the feeling goes away.
• Pinch the skin along the top of the bridge of the nose to ward off an impending sneeze
• Accupressure solution: Spread the thumb of one hand away from the fingers. Using the sharp edges of the nails on the thumb and index finger of your other hand, pinch the flap of skin between the spread thumb and the fingers.
• Saying "asparagus" or "cow" immediately before a sneeze will often stop the oncoming sneeze. Some believe that saying these words repeatedly can stop the oncoming sneeze, however this has been disproven.
• Apply pressure between your upper lip and the bottom of your nose.

See also

• Sneezing fetishism

External links

• Why Don't We Do It In Our Sleeves? on www.coughsafe.com, an educational video on the proper way to cough and sneeze to prevent the spread of virus causing germs.

References

• Ancient Sneezing: A Gift from the Gods - Elaine Fantham, Professor of Classics at Princeton on NPR Radio.
• why do my eyes close every time I sneeze? M.G., Sherborn The Boston Globe

Further reading

• Cecil Adams (1987). "If you hold your eyelids open while sneezing, will your eyes pop out?". The Straight Dope.
• Barbara Mikkelson (2001). "Bless You!" Urban Legends Reference Pages.
• Tom Wilson, M.D. (1997) "Why do we sneeze when we look at the sun?" MadSci Network.