Once a Wheeler
…always a wheeler
This problem once beset me and I received this advice from a vastly experienced GP which has always stood me in good stead:
—Have you ever seen a horse sneeze?
—Yes, I replied, remembering holidays spent on my uncle's farm.
—Did it have its mouth open?
I had to think about that for a while but, having done so, replied,
—No, I don't think it did.
—Exactly, he said. At the first hint of a tickle get out your handkerchief, close your mouth and then sneeze into the handkerchief with your mouth closed. Civilized manners have led us to try and limit our sneezing by opening our mouths to reduce the explosion. The first couple of times you keep your mouth closed you are likely to suffer pain at the back of your throat but, like the horse, just relax. Once you can relax and sneeze easily through your nose your problem will be solved. Our genteel manners conspire to leave traces of the irritants in our nasal passages which then continue to irritate and lead to further sneezing.
I left with considerable doubt and no prescription: but I tried it and it worked. Relax the throat and close the mouth and you have every chance of solving your problem—and always carry a handkerchief!
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