Why do you sneeze when you have a cold

Sneezing when you have a cold is a very common phenomenon, and during a cold, sneezing is uncontrollable. Some people find it uncomfortable to keep sneezing, but in fact, sneezing is very beneficial for patients with colds. After sneezing, people will feel comfortable inside the body and have a feeling of relaxation. So, why do we sneeze when we have a cold?

In fact, sneezing is just a normal reaction caused by congestion of nasal mucosa. When the nasal mucosa is irritated, it becomes congested and produces clear, thin mucus, which in turn stimulates the nerves in the nose, causing a series of inhalation movements and storing a large amount of gas in the lungs. When the air reaches a sufficient level, the pressure in the lungs will suddenly produce a strong airflow that rushes out through the nasal cavity, expelling the mucus and opening the closed nasopharyngeal passage. The sound of this airflow is a sneeze. The external stimuli that cause nasal mucosal congestion are foreign objects entering the nose, stimulation of cold air, emotional impulses, etc., which, under the control of the cerebral cortex, cause sneezing. Sneezing is the expulsion of air from the nose and mouth, and it is a reflex action. Its occurrence is not controlled by humans. Just like coughing and crying, it is the body's instinct to protect itself. In short, the purpose of a sneeze is to try to expel irritants from the body by expelling gas. Once the irritant is removed, you will naturally feel better.

Everyone has sneezed, and it happens frequently in life. When a person sneezes, droplets with a diameter of 0.1 to 0.2 mm can be sprayed out of the mouth at a speed of at least 30 meters per second. Within a certain range, the number of droplets per cubic foot can increase to 400-500. They are contagious within half an hour and can spread infectious diseases rapidly.

Sneezing is a physiological reflex activity of the human body. When breathing, the nasal cavity inhales some dust and pollen; when you have a cold, the nasal mucosa becomes congested and secretions increase, which irritates the nasal mucosa and causes sneezing. Sometimes, people may sneeze when they are emotionally excited or encounter strong light stimulation, chills, or certain diseases.

Sneezing is a protective response. Sneezing can help you expel a large number of bacteria (especially pathogens) from your body when you are sick; it can help you feel better and more stable when you are in a bad mood; and it can help you expel foreign objects that have entered your respiratory tract when you are stimulated by foreign objects. Therefore, do not suppress your sneezing, otherwise it will cause nose bleeding or even a broken nose bone. If you pinch your nose to suppress a sneeze, it can also cause sinusitis and otitis media. However, in order to prevent indecent movements when sneezing, it is necessary to cover your mouth and nose with your hands.

The fastest way is to pinch the sides of your nose when you feel you are about to sneeze, for about 3 to 4 seconds, and soon the feeling of sneezing will disappear.

How to quickly suppress sneezing when you have a cold?

If you are at home, you can put a hot towel on your nose and lift your head slightly, which will quickly stop sneezing.

Closing your mouth when you are about to sneeze and forcing yourself to breathe through your nose is also a good way to stop a cold quickly.

In addition, we introduce a "acupoint massage method" to stop sneezing. The specific operation method is as follows:

When you are about to sneeze and there is a strong itchy feeling, immediately put your fingers to the junction of the lower edge of the nasal bone and the nasal cartilage on the itchy side of the nose. There are Shangyingxiang point and Jiabi point here. Then press your fingers hard inward and upward to produce a sour and swollen feeling. Continue squeezing until the feeling of sneezing in the nose disappears completely. Practice has shown that this method can achieve an effectiveness of over 90% in stopping sneezing.

When using the "acupressure massage method" to stop sneezing, remember the following points:

First, the acupressure action should be quick and accurate;

Second, the pressure should be slightly stronger. The stronger the soreness and swelling sensation of the nose, the better.

Third, keep pressing your nose until the itching and sneezing sensation disappears. As long as you follow these three points, you will get better results.

In addition, when entering and leaving public places, you should consciously carry a handkerchief. In case you cannot stop sneezing, you should immediately cover your mouth with the handkerchief and then sneeze to avoid splashing droplets and harming others.