Eli5: Why sneezes so strong?
In: Biology
Sneezing often means there’s an obstruction or at least an irritant. Since the nose is an important part of breathing, it means removing the obstruction as quickly as possible is very important and that’s what the sneeze is supposed to do: to quickly release enough pressure to remove the obstruction.
Bit related but this is also why throwing up is also so violent and comes in waves. If it came out as one giant stream with low pressure, it would suffocate you.
A sneeze is a reaction in the body that suddenly presses air out of lungs so it flows quickly out through the mouth and nose. Air and mucus (the liquid found in the nose) are forced out quickly.
A sneeze consists of a deep inward breath that fills the lungs, a closing or partial closing of the throat, and a sudden increase in pressure in the lungs that forces air out. This increase in pressure is a result of muscles near the lungs that contract (tighten and shorten). Sneezing never happens during sleep because reflex signals do not pass to the part of the brain that causes muscles to move. When people sneeze, their eyes close. The speed of the air from sneezing is about 150 kilometers per hour or more.
When a person sneezes, many small drops of saliva and mucus blow out from the nose and mouth. These tiny drops often contain viruses and bacteria. Some of these are germs, which can make other people sick. To keep this from happening as much, is important to block the sneezed air with something like cloth or tissue to catch the drops. It also helps to move away from other people, go outside, or face away.
The purpose of sneezes and coughs are to remove obstructions in your airway. A cough is used to clear the lower part of your airway closer to your lungs and throat. When you cough, you can notice that it “rattles” lower in your throat. A sneeze on the other hand, is supposed to clear your upper airway which is the stuff in your nose. An obstruction can be anything or nothing really, but if the hair/nerves in your nose detect something, your lungs will inhale air, and then forcefully and suddenly expel it. The expulsion needs to be forceful enough to both reach your nostrils, as well as push any obstructions out of your nose
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