Myths and Facts about Sneezing

You hiccup when someone thinks of you lovingly while you cough or wheeze if someone thinks of you with anger but there is no such myth behind why you sneeze. Find out the actual myths and facts about sneezing. 

Why Do We Sneeze?

We sneeze when the outer lining of our nose is triggered by some external particle/allergen to prevent it from entering the lungs, German researchers have found that people sneeze when they are exposed to sudden light as well. 

Myths about Sneezing

• Sneezing with open eyes can dislodge your eyeballs.
• Sneezing can be stopped by holding your breath.
• Sneezing every day is bad for health.
• You can’t sneeze when you are asleep. (People sneeze during REM sleep)
• The heart stops during a sneeze.
• Sneezes are indicators of bad luck, especially 4 sneezes at a time.
• It is believed that the soul leaves the body while sneezing and saying “God Bless You” will prevent the devil from possessing the body during that short interval.

Facts about Sneezing

• Sneezing is a reflex action and that is the reason we close our eyes while sneezing.
• Research says that the nasal cavity moves away from its position ever so often and sneezing helps to put them back in place.
• Blood flow and the rhythm of the heart can change after a sneeze.
• Saliva can travel 5 feet or more after a sneeze at the speed of 100 miles per hour.
• Sneezing can help you burn calories.
• The color of the mucous can indicate diseases.
• Suppressing a sneeze is unhealthy.
• You will sneeze until every irritant is out of your nasal cavity.
• Sneezing every day is not unhealthy.
• You excrete 40,000 droplets of saliva every time you sneeze.

Sneezing with closed eyes is an involuntary action and you can always try keeping your eyes open while sneezing without the fear of losing your eyeballs. Play the quiz now to check whether you have the facts right now.