Man Attempted to Suppress a Sneeze, Resulted in a Rip in His Throat
Man in Dundee Suffers Rare Tracheal Injury from Suppressing a Sneeze
In an unusual case, a man in his 30s in Dundee, Scotland, tore a hole in his throat while attempting to suppress a sneeze. The incident, detailed in a BMJ Case Report, has left medical professionals astonished and highlighting the risks of stifling sneezes.
Arriving at Ninewells Hospital with a swollen, stiff neck, the patient described a sudden burst of pain when he tried to close off his nose and mouth to prevent a sneeze. By the time doctors examined him, radiating discomfort properties of his neck movements were apparent, along with an unnerving crackling sound beneath the skin.
Doctors discovered a rare 2-millimeter tear in his trachea, an injury typically associated with traumatic accidents or invasive surgeries. This time, the cause was something as innocuous as suppressing a sneeze.
"The patient presenting to hospital with a suddenly swollen neck following sneezes was quite surprising to us," said Dr. Rasads Misirovs, a physician at the University of Dundee, who led the report documenting the incident. "None of us had come across such a presentation before other than holes in windpipes after injuries or complications of operations."
Sneezes can generate internal pressures in the upper airways over 20 times higher than normal forces. In rare instances, this force can rupture delicate tissues, causing a spontaneous tracheal perforation. A CT scan confirmed the man's damaged trachea, with air seeping through the tear into surrounding tissues and even spaces between his lungs.
Despite not needing surgery, doctors treated the man's case urgently, monitoring him in the hospital for 48 hours, withholding food initially to reduce strain on his injured throat, and prescribing medications for pain and hay fever. He was discharged after five weeks with orders to rest and avoid suppressing sneezes. Fortunately, follow-up scans indicated a complete healing of the tear.
However, Misirovs warned that the worst-case scenario could lead to suffocation or even brain bleeding. Recent cases have occurred in Leicester and Australia, though spontaneous tracheal perforation is still a very rare occurrence. "It's like winning a million-pound lottery," Misirovs said, "a rare but potentially life-changing complication."
While the man did not directly endanger others, Misirovs emphasized the importance of gently covering the face with hands or inner elbows when sneezing to contain droplets and limit the spread of illness. Individuals who find it necessary to stifle a sneeze should do so by pressing a thumb on their upper lip, just under the nose, without obstructing nasal passages. This enables the sneeze to escape if necessary.
Medical professionals have already cautioned the public about stifling sneezes, highlighting the risks involved in containing rather than releasing the powerful forces generated during a sneeze. The recent case serves as a reminder that such advice should be heeded to prevent unforeseen complications.
- The unusual case of a man in Dundee suffering a rare tracheal injury from suppressing a sneeze has drawn attention to the risks of stifling sneezes, an issue often discussed in the fields of health-and-wellness and mental-health.
- In the realm of science, recent research has shown that sneezes can generate forces over 20 times higher than normal, potentially causing damage to delicate tissues in physics, as seen in this instance of spontaneous tracheal perforation.
- The incident also highlights the intersection between medicine and tech, as medical professionals utilize technology like CT scans to diagnose and monitor such rare conditions.
- The case in Dundee has added to the growing body of knowledge in health-and-wellness, shedding light on the potential risks of suppressing sneezes, a practice that could impact one's fitness-and-exercise routines or even mental well-being.
- While the man's case did not involve space travel, it serves as a reminder that even everyday actions can have significant consequences, a lesson that resonates with scientists, explorers, and anyone seeking to understand the complexities of our world.
