To function properly, our breathing apparatus needs to be clean, at the right temperature and humidity.
To ensure this, it has two cleaning tools. The immune system, which fights against germs and viruses by mobilizing specialized cells. And the mucociliary treadmill. This self-cleaning filter covers the entire respiratory tract. It rids them of dust and other unwanted by wrapping them in mucus to then eject them more easily out of the respiratory circuit by making them “roll” on the vibratile eyelashes. This is where the sneezing comes in.
Like coughing and blowing your nose, it is a way to expel mucus and cleanse the airways.
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Respiratory system training
As annoying as they are, repetitive sneezing during a cold or allergic rhinitis is therefore very useful: they protect the body from too massive an invasion by viruses and allergens.
But what about sneezing that sometimes happens for no reason? They also matter, according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania. Their work shows that these brutal exhalations through the nose help maintain the hair cells that purify the inhaled air. As if they shouldn’t be left to rest too long for fear that they might lose their good habits. Episodic sneezing therefore ensures optimal functioning of all this beautiful machinery.
But there you have it, whether or not you are sick, sneezing can spoil a meeting or a movie screening. And the temptation to try to hold them back is sometimes great. But beware. By blocking your nose, you run the risk of producing excess pressure which can injure your inner ear and cause pain or even perforation of the eardrum. It is therefore better, in the event of too frequent and exhausting sneezing, to treat the cause of the illness: wash the nose regularly in the event of a cold, take an antihistamine in the event of an allergy …
Last and undoubtedly the most important precaution: always put your hands in front of your mouth and nose when you sneeze. And of course wash them immediately afterwards.
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