ACHOO Syndrome Can Induce Sneezing
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

ACHOO Syndrome Can Induce Sneezing

Why you might sneeze if you look into bright lights.

84
ACHOO Syndrome Can Induce Sneezing
Universite de Liege

Tonight I ate dinner with my family, and my brother invited his girlfriend over. We were all talking when I noticed that his girlfriend raised her hand up to cover her face, but I couldn't tell why. She wasn't yawning or coughing. Then I saw her aim her gaze at the lights of the chandelier and she immediately sneezed.

No one else at the table had noticed that she looked at the lights before sneezing. I asked her if she looked at the lights so that she could sneeze. Even though she said yes, everyone at the table looked at me funny. No one else had ever heard of such a thing: looking at a bright light to induce a sneeze. It sounds like such a silly concept, yet it's actually a medically recognized phenomenon.

As found by Scientific American, approximately one-third of the population has what is known as ACHOO syndrome. Yes, that is a real condition. And yes, that happens to be the sound a sneeze makes. The technical name for this condition is Autosomal-Dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst syndrome. It is also known as the photic sneeze reflex. I think ACHOO syndrome has a much nicer ring to it. Don't you?

This condition is believed to be genetic, but the exact cause for these sunlit sneezes has not been pinpointed yet. Some believe that neurons connected to the brain are a bit mixed up; the signals sent from your optic nerves might be received by the part of the brain responsible for getting rid of irritation in your nose that causes a sneeze. Tests to prove this theory right or wrong have not been attempted yet. So just what might be the cause of this peculiar sneezing condition? Your guess is as good as mine.

I've noticed that when I tell my friends about this technique for inducing an incoming sneeze, some of them tell me that it doesn't work. They accuse me of playing a prank on them. I haven't pranked anyone with this situation before, because I use the technique myself. Whenever I'm about to sneeze, but can't seem to get it to happen, I just look up. I look at the nearest and brightest light and out comes the sneeze.

My brother's girlfriend mentioned that every time her brother steps outside when the sun is shining bright, he sneezes. There's some evidence of the genetic part of the condition. This could be problematic in some cases, though. If someone with ACHOO syndrome is driving and it becomes suddenly sunny, they could be at risk by sneezing behind the wheel. It isn't that much of a risk to sneeze while driving, but could you imagine telling the police officer "I'm sorry officer, it got really sunny so I sneezed!"

My brother said he'd have to try looking at a light the next time he needs to sneeze because he's never tried it before, but I have a hunch that it just might work.



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

59630
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

38570
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959956
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

198188
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments