Don't Hold It In: Why Suppressing a Sneeze Is More Dangerous Than You Think

We've all been there – a sneeze brewing, but we try to stifle it. While it might seem more courteous, holding back a sneeze can actually be detrimental to your health. Sneezing is a natural reflex, a powerful expulsion of irritants from your nose, and suppressing it can lead to some surprising consequences.

The Force of a Sneeze

Sneezing is a forceful expulsion of air from your nose, designed to clear irritants like dust, pollen, and even viruses. The air blasts out at speeds reaching 100 miles per hour, generating pressure that can exceed 1 psi – higher than the pressure generated during strenuous exercise.

The Dangers of Suppressing a Sneeze

Holding back a sneeze can create immense pressure inside your body, potentially leading to these complications:

1. Eardrum Rupture:

The trapped pressure can travel to your middle ear, potentially causing the eardrum to rupture, which can lead to hearing loss.

2. Middle Ear Infection:

Sneezing helps clear out bacteria from your nose. Suppressing it can allow bacteria to enter the middle ear, increasing the risk of infection.

3. Blood Vessel Damage:

While rare, the extreme pressure can cause blood vessels in the eyes, nose, or eardrum to rupture.

4. Diaphragm Injury:

The diaphragm, the primary muscle for breathing, can be injured by the trapped pressure, potentially leading to life-threatening situations.

5. Brain Injury:

The pressure can cause a brain aneurysm to rupture, leading to bleeding around the brain.

6. Throat Damage:

Suppressing a sneeze can damage the back of your throat.

7. Broken Ribs:

The forceful pressure can lead to broken ribs, especially in older adults.

What is the main reason why holding back a sneeze is dangerous?

The high pressure generated by a sneeze can cause significant harm if held back, potentially leading to a variety of complications including eardrum rupture, middle ear infections, blood vessel damage, diaphragm injury, brain aneurysm rupture, throat damage, and even broken ribs.

What are some of the potential health problems that can occur when you hold back a sneeze?

Holding back a sneeze can lead to several health problems, including:

Eardrum rupture: The trapped pressure from a sneeze can travel to your middle ear through the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat. This can cause the eardrum to rupture, and even lead to hearing loss.

Middle ear infection: Sneezing helps clear out your nose, including bacteria. Holding back a sneeze can actually allow bacteria to enter your middle ear through the Eustachian tube, resulting in a middle ear infection.

Blood vessel damage in the eyes, nose, or eardrum: Although rare, holding back a sneeze could cause blood vessels in your eyes, nose, or eardrum to rupture.

Diaphragm injury: Your diaphragm is the primary muscle that helps you breathe. The trapped pressure from a sneeze can injure your diaphragm, potentially even becoming life-threatening.

Brain injury: The high pressure can cause a brain aneurysm to rupture, leading to bleeding around the brain.

Throat damage: Holding back a sneeze can cause damage to the back of your throat.

Broken ribs: The forceful pressure from a sneeze can result in broken ribs, especially in older adults.

What happens when you hold back a sneeze?

When you hold back a sneeze, the pressure from the air that is trying to force its way out of your nose becomes trapped inside your body. This increased pressure can cause various health problems.

Why is it best to let a sneeze out?

Letting a sneeze out is the best option for your health because it allows the natural process of expelling irritants from your nose to occur. Holding back a sneeze can lead to serious health risks like eardrum rupture, middle ear infections, blood vessel damage, and more.

How does a sneeze actually help the body?

Sneezing is a natural bodily response that helps to expel irritants, such as allergens or viruses, from the nasal passages. By forcefully expelling air, a sneeze can help clear out the nasal passages, preventing infection and promoting overall health.

How much pressure can be generated by a sneeze?

A sneeze can generate a significant amount of pressure, reaching up to 1 psi, which is higher than the pressure created when you breathe heavily during exercise. This pressure can travel throughout the body and potentially cause harm if held back.

Let it Out!

Remember, sneezing is a natural defense mechanism, a powerful force for clearing your airways and keeping you healthy. The next time you feel a sneeze coming on, don't fight it. Let your body do its job, and avoid the potential health risks of suppressing it.