Whether you prefer to suppress it or one who likes to really let go, most of us probably think nothing of the odd sneeze.But it's a dangerous business, sneezing, and there are problems associated with both of the above choices.
The Daily Mail recently told the story of solicitor Victoria Kenny who was left bedridden for two years after a sneeze that ruptured a disc in her spine.
Thankfully the mother-of-three is now back on her feet after pioneering surgery on her spine.
But there are lessons to be learned from Victoria's admittedly extreme sneezing problem.
As germ spreading goes, sneezing is a highly effective weapon with a single commuter sneeze potentially infecting 150 fellow train travellers in just five minutes.
And sneezing injuries are no laughing matter. Professor Adam Carey, a sports injury specialist, told the Mail: "There are two types of sneeze that can cause damage. The first is when a person sneezes violently and the force throws your body out of kilter.
"That's called the whiplash effect – as your head moves forwards and backwards very quickly – and can cause all sorts of muscle strain or bone problems.
"The second type of injury is caused if we try to suppress a sneeze, before letting it out. The suppression causes a massive build-up of pressure in our head, which can cause injuries such as a burst eardrum, tearing blood vessels and muscles in the head, damaging the sinuses and even, in rare cases, brain haemorrhages."
Crikey, sneezing all of a sudden sounds a bit too dangerous. But luckily physiotherapist Sammy Margo has some advice for safe sneezing.
"With sneezing we usually anticipate it, so when you feel a sneeze coming you need to engage your abdominal muscles – that is, hold your tummy in – to withstand the whiplash effect of throwing your head backwards and forwards and so causing injury."
You have been warned.
shopping spree
