2024-02-16 06:02:36
We all look forward to spring… well, except those who suffer from seasonal hay fever. With the good weather comes pollen, and with them incessant and, sometimes, exhausting sneezing attacks. Why does our body impose such a painful ritual on us? He has his reasons, which we explain to you here.
An immune defense
Viruses, bacteria and inflammatory particles: our body is constantly confronted with attacks from intruders invisible to the naked eye. To resist it, we fortunately have a reactive immune system.
Don’t touch my nose
Our nose helps us breathe, but it is also a gateway for a whole bunch of unwanted materials, whether it is an allergen, dust, etc. When our nasal hairs are not enough to block them, these materials are deposited on the very sensitive mucous membranes of our nasal cavity.
Everybody out
In response to these attacks, our body releases histamine, a molecule which irritates the nerve cells in the nose and causes one or more sneezes. The objective is obviously to expel what has no place there, and with a flow rate of air and mucus measured at 55 km/h, it is quite effective.
The unusual sneeze
In addition to the presence of intruders in our nasal passages, sneezing can be caused by other phenomena. In those who suffer from vasomotor rhinitis, it is a deformation of the septum or atrophy of the turbinates. In those who suffer from a photosterutatory reflex, it is an excess of bright light. And in those who suffer from “ honeymoon rhinitis » (yes, yes, it exists), it is sexual excitement or orgasm. Embarrassing…
#sneeze #lot