Sneezing - World Class Holistic
Homeopathy Treatment
RESPIRATORY DISORDERS – Sneezing – Bad fortune?
Sneezing is a very common complaint that everyone often faces. Sneeze
is a natural reflux expulsive defence mechanism of the body, like cough, for
clearing irritants or toxins or foreign substances from the nose. It is an involuntary,
sudden, violent, audible expulsion of air through the nose and mouth. During
sneezing, secretions of the nose are being expelled as droplets (more than
6,000) up to 10 feet. It spreads infection through out the area of droplets
sprayed as it contains bacteria and leucocytes. It is not contagious if it is
not caused by bacteria or viruses.
Most of the time, sneezing is caused by an allergic reaction. Allergy
symptoms are the result of too much immunity or hypersensitiveness. Our immune
system protects us by producing antibodies that fight against bacteria and
disease. Immunoglobulin (IgE) antibody is responsible for this antibody
reaction. In allergic patients, these antibodies will be found in high titre
for fighting against disease. It induces the secretion of histamine which
triggers the feeling of itch and sneezing. It also increases the blood
circulation to the nose and increases the secretions as running nose, for
natural washing of bacteria or foreign substances. Sometimes the reaction is
immediate and sometimes late. Some people will have allergic tendency to one
substance, but many people often have an allergic response to more than one
substance.
Occurrence and incidence – Incidence is more in people having inflammation
associated with asthma or dermatitis. It occurs irrespective of age, race, sex,
and attacks everyone.
Mechanism of sneezing – Normally, sneezing is an involuntary reflex, which
is controlled by a complex interaction of nerve fibres. A variety of receptor
sites, situated in the nose, reports about the irritation or foreign substance
to the brain for inducing sneezing by releasing histamine, for clearing the
nose. Receptors are sensitive to infection, touch, smells of dust, chemical
gases, fumes, temperature and exposure to extreme cold air and water (the main
offender). Usually, sneeze begins with a deep inspiration and closed glottis,
which suddenly opens after gaining pressure from contraction of the diaphragm,
abdomen muscles and other muscles which compress the lungs to let out the
trapped air with force through nose and mouth. So with an explosive sound,
throw of air occurs as a sneeze. Sneezing also involves contraction of the
muscles of face, neck and eyes. Sometimes, sneezing air speed is measured more
than 120 km/per hour. Normally, people sneeze once or twice during early
morning or daytime to clear the nose.
Types of sneezing – sneezing can be
classified as:
Paroxysmal
sneezing -This type of sneezing is mostly acute in nature
and often caused by bacterial or viral or fungal infection. This occurs during the
start of the disease.
Continuous or allergic sneezing – Mostly these types are chronic
in nature and caused by allergic tendencies of the body. It occurs due to
constant exposure to dust, pets, etc.
Seasonal sneezing – Mostly in seasons, when pollens are more in
wind. Seasonal allergic rhinitis usually results due to pollens of tree, grass
or weed.
Perennial sneezing – Persists throughout the year, due to persistent
pollution or allergen.
Causes of sneezing
A) Infection
In the majority of cases, causative factors are due to
bacteria, virus (common cold or influenza), and fungus (aspergillus’s
infection). Children are easily affected while playing with infected children
or infected objects.
B) External factors
·
Mechanically plucking hair in the nose will cause
sneezing
·
Irritants – smoke, strong smells, pollution, pollens,
pesticides, insecticides, wood dust, cotton dust, and other dusts, etc.
·
Environment – Cold weather, rain water, smell of sand,
especially during rain, dampness & temperature variations
·
Contact with animals products – dander and mites of cats,
dogs, furry animals and birds
·
Household items – carpets, pillows, mattresses, furred and
stuffed toys
·
Foods can also cause sneezing immediately due to
preservatives and food colours. Chillies, cucumber, watermelon and
non-vegetarian foods such as fish, meat, and egg can also induce sneezing. This
is often noticed in children.
·
Herbs – plants, grass, trees, pollens. Pollen-allergic
sneeze usually occur in spring and at the end of summer. Here weather plays the
major role.
·
Drugs can also cause allergic sneezing when the patients
are hypersensitive
B)
Internal factors
form from the
progress of diseases.
·
Nasal – deviated nasal septum, nasal polyp and sinusitis
·
Ear- Otitis media, CSOM, impacted cerumen
C)
Familial
In the tendency of allergic dermatitis or
asthma, sneezing is found to run in families.
Even though these are all the triggers
of sneezing and allergy, the ultimate reason or exact cause is obscure, since bacteria or dust are
normally well tolerated.
Symptoms of sneezing
Sneezing, itself a symptom – usually associated with watery and
itching nose, burning or sensitive eyes to light, nose block, nasal speech,
loss of smell, sore throat, hoarseness breathlessness, dizziness, ringing in
ears, hardness in hearing, sleepy but disturbed sleep, restlessness, bursting
type of headache especially over frontal with eye pain, general body aches, lack
of concentration, nausea, vomiting and poor appetite.
Effects of sneezing
Generally, excessive sneezing spreads infection. It
causes fatigue, drowsiness, sleepy, red eyes, leading to disturbance in sleep,
nuisance and lack of concentration at work. It usually aggravates the condition
of tonsillitis, sinusitis, asthma, and CSOM – otitis media. Pressure in abdomen
increases during sneezing – so, if it occurs continuously and violently, hernia
may occur in diaphragm or muscle of abdomen (umbilical hernia, incision hernia,
etc.) or into scrotal sac.
Snuffing habit (drawing the nose up with hand and inhaling air or phlegm
into the nose) often develop, while watery nose occurs which leads to sinusitis
and headache. Also some people develop the habit of snuffing tobacco. These
snuffers usually inhale tobacco through the nose and this induces sneezing initially
to clear the nose. Later on, the places which comes in contact with the snuff
material will become numb and will not send any impulse to the brain, so they
feel comfortable without any irritation in the nose or sneezing. This may also
induce the habit of nose picking.
Diagnosis
Sneezing due to pollen allergies usually occurs in spring or in the end of
summer. Occurrence of the sneeze after any activities or foods or any exposures
should be correlated. Clinical examination of nose, throat and ear for any
infection or foreign substance or deformity is a must. If sneezing persists,
the following tests are necessary.
Investigations
·
X-rays – Para nasal sinuses – to rule out sinusitis
·
Microscopic examination of nasal discharge – can reveal
bacteria and eosinophils
·
CT or MRI examination and rhinoscopy for diagnosing and
evaluating of the sinuses, adenoids and also structural abnormalities
·
Nasal smear – for the presence of eosinophils
·
Blood tests- for total serum IgE & eosinophils count
·
Allergy skin testing
Prevention
Avoid
·
Dust or wear mask for protection
·
Working in areas of noxious fumes or polluted air
·
Cold things and cold winds
·
Avoid pets and pollens
·
Exercising or working in pollens-rich places and timings
(in early morning)
·
Contact with infected persons
·
Drugs which cause allergy
·
Smoking and smokes
Take
·
Rest in closed and warm room
·
Nutritious diet for healthy life
·
Plenty of fluids – water, juices to disperse mucous as
less viscous for expulsion
Clean
·
Air filters often
·
Damp places to reduce molds and dust mites
·
Bedspreads, pillows, blankets, mattress, rugs, every week
·
Carpets frequently with vacuum cleaner
·
Houses with vacuum cleaner rather than sweeping or
dusting
Treatment
must start with diagnosing the cause and its elimination. For patients with
underlying diseases, treatment should be based first on it. In Allopathy, For
an acute infection – Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral drugs are used.
For nasal irritation – Nasal drops of anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine
drugs are used. For irritation of eyes – Anti-inflammatory eye drops are used.
Anti-histamine drugs are commonly used in Allopathy. It arrests the
release of histamine secretion for providing relief like Cetrizine, Avil, etc.
As adverse reaction, these drugs can cause drowsiness, dizziness, sleeplessness
and tremors
Nasal decongestants can give very temporary relief from nasal
congestion. These decongestants should not be used continuously since rebound
of complaints will occur with much intensity in due course
Steroids therapy – Steroidal injections and nasal spray will help
much in reducing inflammation and watery nose and sneezing, by suppressing our
reaction force to bacteria or disease force. But in due course, blood pressure,
diabetes and renal damage may result as complications
Desensitisation or immune therapy – This will take months together
and regular follow-up with physician should be there. Here, allergic substances
are injected in increasing doses to de-sensitise the allergic reaction of the
body. Sometimes it may cause severe allergic responses
Homeopathic approach
In Homeopathy, we treat patients (symptoms of the patients) and not the
disease. Sneeze is a symptom. It comes to expel the irritant substance from the
nose. If you are switching it off with heavy doses of anti-histamines or
steroids, then you are violating natural protection and elimination. Hence,
there will be chances of constant infection which resemble continuous or
repeated attack of the cold and sneezing. These patients can be cured
permanently with Homeopathy. Patients and doctors need patience in treating
sneeze.
Since ultimate cause is obscure and remains as an unknown science, we
should aim in strengthening our protection force. Homeopathy raises immunity
and prevents further recurrences. Some people are allergic to foods, medicines,
smells, irritants, dusts, A/C room, cold winds, etc. And some may get
aggravated at night or morning, during change of temperature, humidity,
altitude, smoking, fumes and irritants, i.e. allergic reaction differs from
person to person, so Homeopathy works well since it concentrates more on the
patient’s individuality.
An elevated level of total blood eosinophil count and serum-Immunoglobulin
IgE, in the blood are effects of the allergic reactions and they are not the
cause for sneezing. People think that eosinophilia as the ultimate cause of
sneezing, but it is not so. Also, most of the allergic reactions are like false
alarm, i.e. they are due to our hypersensitiveness and not due to disease
force.
Some common medicines often used in complaints of sneezing are Aconite, Allium
cepa, Ars Alb, Baryta carb, Belladonna, Calc carb, Rhus tox, Pulsatilla, Hepar
sulph, Kali bich, Sabadilla, Phosphorus, Silicea, Thuja, Nux vom, Ammon Carb,
Agraphis Nutans, Lemna minor, Lycopodium, etc. These Medicines should be taken
under the advice and diagnosis of a qualified Homeopath.
for
new hope
Dr. S.
Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)
Laxmi
Homeo Clinic
24 E.
New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai,
TN 625 001
India
Tel: +91-452-233-8833 | +91-984-319-1011
(Mob)
Fax:
+91-452-233-0196
E-mail:
drcheena@yahoo.com
www.drcheena.com / www.drcheena.in
(Disclaimer
- The contents of this column are for informational purpose only. The content
is not intended to be a substitute for professional healthcare advice,
diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of healthcare professional for
any health problem or medical condition.)