Sneezing is one of the most common thing that has happened to people all over the world. Therefore questions like what causes sneezing and why do people sneeze are also very commonly asked by many. Sneezing is a condition often noticed in people who are suffering from a common cold or allergies.
Sneezing is a result of the mucus membranes getting irritated and such irritation can be caused by various factors like dust, smoke, animal hair, dander and other irritants around you. Sneezing is the body's natural way of eliminating irritants from the nasal passage. Some people suffer from constant sneezing and runny nose or even a stuffy nose which could be the result of rhinitis.
Rhinitis can be seasonal but it can also be caused by allergens like pollen, dust or dander. People who have rhinitis suffer from a runny nose and sneezing almost all year round and this condition is also called perennial rhinitis. This can happen due to certain types of food allergies, seasonal changes or several allergens in the environment. When the body suffers from common cold or other allergic reactions, it starts producing a chemical called histamine which can irritate the nasal passage and make it sore through constant sneezing.
Constant sneezing could also be the result of bacterial or viral infections in the respiratory tract. Chronic sneezing can even be caused by sinusitis. This kind of continuous sneezing can be quite embarrassing and certain techniques can be adopted to try and avoid this as much as possible. Some natural remedies on how to stop sneezing as well as treatment for runny nose and sneezing are as follows;
- Your daily diet should include rich sources of vitamin C such as citrus fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C can help lower the production of histamine in the body and hence control sneezing. When suffering from a common cold, drinking a glass of lemonade or orange juice can give you a good dose of vitamin C. this would help treat the runny nose and sneezing symptoms.
- Most people drink nettle tea to reduce the inflammation in the nasal passage but nettle supplements are far more beneficial in getting rid of constant sneezing and runny nose.
- Your diet should also include vegetables which contain bioflavonoid which works in the same way as vitamin C. Its antioxidant properties control the histamine produced by the body and thereby reduce sneezing.
- Regularly vacuuming your home can help get rid of allergens like dust mites and pet dander which can cause constant sneezing. It is important to keep all carpets, rugs, bed covers, pillows and other upholstery free from such allergens by regular cleaning.
- Many people are allergic to animal hair especially cat and dog hair which can cause severe allergic reactions. It is therefore important to bathe house pets regularly to keep them clean. This helps a great deal in reducing continuous sneezing.
- People who are allergic to pollen and smoke should always cover their nose while going outdoors to prevent these allergens from irritating the nasal passages.
- Furnace filters are known to gather dust particles and hence should be regularly cleaned to avoid allergies.
- Air conditioning system filters should also be washed with water at least once every month to keep them clean and dust free.
- People who suffer from constant sneezing and runny nose can also install air filtration systems in their homes to get rid of air borne allergens.
- Foods rich in garlic can help improve the body's immunity and also help reduce various allergies.
- Ginger tea is a great way to tackle an itchy throat caused by constant sneezing.
- When suffering from a cold, it is advisable to completely avoid cold beverages and drink lots of water through the day.
These above mentioned methods on how to stop sneezing can not only save you the embarrassment but also provide you a long term cure for constant sneezing and runny nose. Pregnancy is a very delicate time and therefore conditions like constant sneezing during pregnancy, excessive sneezing in the mornings and other such conditions should be treated with the help of a doctor.
answered by M W