SNEEZING is your body's natural way of expelling irritants from your nose.
However, what happens if you suppress that "achoo"? Could holding in a sneeze potentially cause damage to your person?
VERDICT:
TRUE
When you sneeze, air is expelled from your lungs at high speed to effectively clear out unwelcome particles.
Stifling this reflex by pinching your nose or closing your mouth traps pressurised air inside, which can lead to several potential unintended consequences, as found in an article by the Cleveland Clinic.
One possible issue is damage to your eardrums.
The pressure from a suppressed sneeze can force air into the Eustachian tubes, which connect the back of your nose to your middle ears, potentially causing a ruptured eardrum.
Additionally, holding in a sneeze can lead to throat injuries.
There have been cases where individuals experienced a ruptured throat after suppressing a sneeze, resulting in pain and difficulty swallowing.
In rare instances, the increased pressure from holding in a sneeze could potentially lead to a ruptured brain aneurysm, a serious condition that can cause bleeding around the brain.
While these complications are uncommon, they highlight the risks associated with suppressing a sneeze.
According to Healthline, it's generally safer to let the sneeze out.
To minimise the spread of germs, sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your elbow.
Moreover, suppressing a sneeze can cause a sharp rise in blood pressure, which may have serious consequences, such as rupturing a brain aneurysm.
In some cases, holding in a sneeze has led to injuries like ruptured blood vessels in the head or neck due to the trapped pressure.
There are even reports of rib fractures and ruptured tracheas from suppressed sneezes.
In conclusion, while holding in a sneeze is unlikely to cause brain damage in most cases, it could lead to other health issues.
Let’s not risk it.
The next time you feel a sneeze coming on, it's best to let it out - your body will thank you!
After all, it’s always better out than in, a wise ogre once said.
REFERENCES
https://health.
https://www.healthline.com/
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