Sneezing has taken on a whole new shape in the age of COVID-19.
The sneezer hastily sneezes into his sleeve and apologizes. Sneezing people appear to be panicking and trying to flee in fear of infected droplets flying at them.
So, since we’re still in cold and flu season and battling seasonal allergies with pollen clouds all around us, it’s the perfect time to talk about what happens when you sneeze. .
Origin of “Bless You”
Have you ever wondered why people often say “take care” when you sneeze?
There are some explanations. One has to do with Pope Gregory VI in the 7th century. The Pope blessed those who sneezed not to catch the plague.
Another explanation is “pneuma”, the Greek word for sneeze, which means soul or spirit. It was believed that sneezing was a near-death experience and that the blessing would keep you alive.
sneezing protects the body
Relax. Your heart keeps beating while you sneeze.
And whether that sneeze takes the form of a loud growl or roar, or a small squeak, sneezing is an important protective mechanism of the body.
Lydia BlouibaA mathematical physicist at MIT can help you understand how sneezing works. her sneeze study Published in New England Journal of Medicine 2016.
First, the nerves begin to sneeze. When the nasal mucosa is irritated by colds, pollen, dust, smoke, pepper, etc., the body goes into reaction mode. The “sneeze center” in the lower part of the brainstem is triggered. Signal to close your throat, eyes, and mouth tightly. Your chest muscles contract, compressing your lungs, and your throat muscles relax. Suddenly air, saliva and mucus are forced out of the nose and mouth.
aaaaaaaaaaa. Look, sneeze!
A little gross, but pretty great.Watch the slow-motion sneezing video that accompanies the studyhere.
Nothing to Sneeze: Facts About Sneezing
Other sneeze notes include:
- Sneezing is fast: A sneeze travels at 100 miles per hour, sending about 2,000 to 5,000 bacteria-filled droplets into the air.
- A sneeze has a distance. These droplets can reach a radius of 5 feet. Yes, that’s why it’s good to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze, even if you don’t fear COVID-19.
- These droplets can stay in the air for 10 minutes.
- Sneezing is a nose reboot: whatever irritated the nose to cause a sneeze overwhelmed the nasal system. Reset the environment of Therefore, it is common to sneeze several times in a row if the irritant has not disappeared.
So much has happened in such a short time. This is another sign that our bodies are truly amazing. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze.
