Did you know that a sneeze can travel at a speed of up to 100 miles (160,9 km) per hour, which is faster than the average car on the highway? That’s one of the many fascinating facts about sneezing that you may not have heard before. In this blog post, we will explore some of the weird and wonderful aspects of sneezing and why we do it.
What is sneezing and why do we do it?
Sneezing is a reflex that our body uses to clear the nose of anything that may irritate it, such as dust, pollen, smoke, or animal dander. When these irritants get into our noses, our brain sends a signal to get rid of them and we sneeze. Sneezing involves several muscles in our chest, throat, diaphragm, and abdomen that work together to create a powerful burst of air.
How fast and far can a sneeze go?
A sneeze can travel up to 100 miles per hour and produce up to 40,000 droplets of saliva and mucus. These droplets can spread as far as five feet or more from our mouth and nose. That’s why it’s important to cover our mouth with our elbow when we sneeze and prevent spreading germs to others.
What are some other interesting facts about sneezing?
- Some people sneeze when they are exposed to bright light or sunshine. This is called photic sneezing and it is genetic. One out of three people is a photic sneezer.
- The color of our mucus can indicate if we have an infection or not. Clear mucus is normal, but green, yellow, or brown mucus can mean that we have white blood cells fighting an infection in our nose.
- Our eyes close automatically when we sneeze because our brain tells them to do so. It is possible to keep them open, but it takes a lot of effort and it is not recommended.
- Trying to hold in a sneeze can be harmful to our health. It can cause broken blood vessels in our eyes, damaged blood vessels in our brain, or ruptured eardrums.
Sneezing is a common and natural phenomenon that we all experience. It helps us keep our nose clean and healthy. Next time you sneeze, remember these amazing facts and appreciate the power of your body.
