Is Suppressing a Sneeze Bad For You?

Image courtesy of stockimages at  FreeDigitalPhotos.net Also known medically as the "closed-airway sneeze," it may be socially preferable, but healthwise may be harmful if not dangerous. With a sneeze, tremendous air pressure is created in the lungs which ideally should be released out the mouth... but if internalized to prevent release out the mouth, can cause immense pressure to buildup internally which may cause significant damage ranging from minor to severe requiring hosp…

7/30/2015 0

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A Single Sneeze Can Spread Throughout Entire Building

MIT researchers using high-speed cameras and applying fluid dynamics have discovered that although ejected droplets from a sneeze typically fall to the ground, the "cloud" of moisture from a single sneeze actually floats and can enter ventilation ducts and can potentially spread throughout an entire building or airplane. Watch video below. These findings have profound implications as to how infections may travel within buildings and other contained structures like cruise ships a…

5/03/2014 0

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Just How Contagious is the Flu (and Other Viral Infections)?

Everybody knows the flu and other viral infections are contagious, but did you wonder just how contagious??? Well, here are some facts gleaned from a few studies: • In just 4 hours, one sick worker can contaminate 50% of surfaces in a typical office • After 8 hours, one sick worker can contaminate 70%+ of surfaces • Non-sick workers have a 40-90% chance of getting infected after spending one day with a sick worker • A sneeze or cough can hurl virus 6 feet away from the mouth • A si…

2/02/2013 0

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Strong Sneeze Broke Woman's Neck

Fox News reported yesterday about an Australian woman, Monique Jeffrey, who sneezed SO hard that she broke her neck... literally. According to the neurosurgeon the patient eventually saw, her C1 and C2 vertebrae had dislocated and were displaced which resulted in her symptoms of excruciating pain with her head locked to her right shoulder and in too much pain to move anything but her right arm. Her left arm was also numb with tingling. She was placed in a halo traction for three months w…

3/28/2012 0

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"Sneeze Whisperer" Target Pharmacy Commercial

Take a look at this commercial promoting Target Pharmacists as a "sneeze-whisperer"... Though pharmacists are very important healthcare professionals who are essential to the management and distribution of prescription drugs, patients need to be aware that pharmacists may be financially rewarded to encourage patients to use certain drugs and not others without regard to whether a given medication may be better or not health-wise. In fact, in some cases, pharmacists may automati…

7/10/2011 1

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WP: Anatomy of a Sneeze/Cough

I recently came across this interesting webpage published by the Washington Post describing the biological pathways that results in a sneeze or cough , complete with pictures. Click here to read more about it.

5/16/2010 0

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