Subject: How do sneezes occur Welcome to Issue #8 of the Blue Skies Seasonal Allergy Newsletter, sponsored by Schering Corporation. Blue Skies takes a look at life with seasonal allergies--what they are, how they affect you, and what you can do about them. If you are an allergy sufferer, then you are among the millions of Americans who suffer from allergies who juggle the demands of work and everyday living. Follow Blue Skies and explore the causes of allergies and how you can protect yourself. For more information on allergies, visit http://www.allergy-relief.com and while you are there, be sure to set up Your Personal Allergy Resource for custom information just for you, including local pollen counts, weather, and more allergy articles! _______________________________________________________________________ Blue Skies Vol. 1 - Issue 8 THE SCIENCE OF SNEEZES You've done it a thousand times. And there's no way to stop it once it begins! Just like the way you move your hand away quickly after touching a hot stove, or the way your knee jerks forward when the doctor tests your reflexes, you sneeze when something tickles or irritates the inside of your nose. All of these responses (moving your hand away, the knee jerk, and sneezing) are reflex reactions. Reflex reactions are rapid, predictable, involuntary motor responses to a "stimulus" such as the hot stove, the hammer, and the irritant. HOW DO SNEEZES OCCUR? The sneeze reflex begins when something irritates the sensory nerves that line the inside of your nose. These nerves send a signal to the "sneeze center" in your brain, which is responsible for coordinating all of the muscles involved in carrying out the sneeze. Some of these muscles include your diaphragm (breathing muscle), muscles that control your vocal cords, muscles in the back of your throat, abdominal muscles, and muscles in your eyelids that shut your eyes. (Just for fun, try to keep your eyes open the next time you feel a sneeze coming on. You won't be able to do it!) Once the sneeze center receives the signal, it sends signals to various muscles to work together to create a sneeze. First, you breathe in. Next, the airways leading to your lungs close momentarily, allowing a buildup in air pressure. Finally, the airways open, releasing a blast of air through your nose and mouth. What is the purpose of this complex reflex reaction? To clear your nasal passages and expel whatever it was that caused the irritation. Sneezing can be a powerful reflex, forcing tiny droplets out of your nose at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. HOW TO SQUELCH A SNEEZE What can you do if you are about to sneeze at a most inopportune time? Unfortunately, once the sneeze is in progress, you can't do much to stop it. However, you may be able to avert the sneeze if you take action before it begins. If you feel a sneeze coming on, try pinching the end of your nose, or blowing your nose to remove the irritant. However, if the sneeze has already begun, do not try to suppress it - air can be forced into your middle ears and damage your eardrums. Sneezing may have various causes such as dust, cold air, viruses, pollens, molds, and even bright light. (Bright light can irritate the sensory nerves in the eyes, which connect with the sensory nerves from the nose, thereby stimulating the sneezing center.) However, if you find yourself sneezing quite often, you may be suffering from allergies. Speak to your doctor about your sneezing episodes. Allergy treatment with antihistamines and other medications is available, so there is no need to put up with the inconvenience - and embarrassment - of sneezing your head off! _______________________________________________________________________ To subscribe to this Blue Skies Seasonal Allergy Newsletter, visit http://www.allergy-relief.com/newsletter/index.php3 and fill out the sign up form. To unsubscribe, click the following link: http://www.allergy-relief.com/newsletter/unsubscribe1.php3. You will be asked the email address you used to subscribe.