It is when you look into a bright light and sneeze. The sneeze is a reflexive, convulsive expulsion of air from the lungs and out the nose and mouth. PSS prevalence varies among racial and ethnic groups. "If we could find a gene that causes photic sneezing, we could study that gene and we might learn something about the visual pathway and some of these other reflex phenomena," he said back in 2008. It is called a photic sneeze, and it happens to 15 to 25% of people. One out of three people is more prone to sneeze when exposed to bright light or sunlight. Photic sneezing, also sometimes referred to using the contrived acronym Autosomal dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst (ACHOO) syndrome, and the "Peroutka Sneeze Gene", is a hereditary trait which causes sneezing, possibly many times consecutively (due to naso-ocular reflex) when suddenly exposed to bright light. Unfortunately, the exact mechanisms behind the syndrome are not well … 3 Accordingly, genome‐wide association studies (GWASs), including our own, have identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with PSS. One type of sneeze is known to be completely hereditary. Exacerbating photic sneeze reflex can be female hormones from what I've experienced and what my opthalmologist said; this could be added to the article. Looking at bright light or going from dark to light (indoors to outdoors) triggers a sneeze in some people. As a side note, sneezing into your hand only spreads germs. The condition affects 18â€"35% of the human population. And then there's the photic sneeze reflex, which is one example that has a medical basis. Photic is another word for light and photic sneezing is something that you is hereditary. Request PDF | Photic sneeze reflex or autosomal dominant compelling helio-ophthalmic outburst syndrome | Sneeze is an ubiquitous phenomenon that happens to everyone. This is when neurology takes its turn in explaining the phenomenon. Most popular Most recent. It just so happens that I have it too. Plus, as Popular Science reports, babies have also been known to sneeze when exposed to bright lights, which makes it more likely that it's a genetic quirk. The persons exposed to a bright light (looking at the sun, coming out of a tunnel while driving, etc.) Quote. You didn’t get ill, did you? A feather under the nose, a spritz of perfume, and chewing gum are just some starter methods. Once the eyes become used to the light, the sneezing stops. This was the first recorded evidence of the photic sneeze reflex. This air can reach speeds of 155 MPH . Don’t look directly into any lightened source, see from a distance and be careful. Research shows that sneezing happens too fast after being exposed to light, to be the result of tears. All posts. Aristotle theorized that the heat of the sun caused moisture, sweating inside of the nose and mouth. Chat. Filter by post type. Sneeze is an ubiquitous phenomenon that happens to everyone. The photic sneeze reflex (PSR) is a condition of uncontrollable sneezing episodes in response to bright light. This is known as a solar sneeze reflex or photic sneeze. In order to get rid of this moisture, one had to sneeze. To test this genetic trait, go into a dark room (a bathroom with the lights out, a photo development room, a movie theater) and wait for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Photic sneeze reflex, also sometimes referred to using the backronym Autosomal dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst (ACHOO) syndrome, and the "Peroutka Sneeze Gene", [citation needed] is a hereditary trait which causes sneezing, possibly many times consecutively (due to naso-ocular reflex ) when suddenly exposed to bright light. People in genetics must be a little strange - apparently photic sneeze reflex has acquired the backronym “Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst Syndrome” :rolleyes: From some of the other websites I found while looking this up, sunlight and overeating don’t seem to be the only stimuli - one blogger sneezes two or three times after plucking one hair from her eyebrow. It is thought that some intertwining of the nerves that connect the eyes nose and mouth sends a mixed message to the brain and results in a sneeze. The photic sneeze reflex is a genetic trait that causes people to sneeze when exposed to bright light. It is actually a dominant trait. Not a bad hypothesize. Also, other posts on here downplay how severe this condition can get. Link. TIL about photic sneeze reflex, a genetic condition which affects between 10-35% of the population and causes sneezing in response to dramatic light changes. This reflex can be found in one of every four persons and occasionally is hereditary. Ask. In spite of this, little attention has been paid to it, among medical literature in general, and even less in neurologic texts. Researchers theorize that photic sneezing results from crossed nervous pathways for the light-response reflex and the sneezing reflex. The condition affects 18-35% of the human population. To test this genetic trait, go into a dark room (a bathroom with the lights out, a photo development room, a movie theater) and wait for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Sometimes you need sneeze relief! Photic sneeze reflex is a relatively harmless disorder that causes people to sneeze in bright light after being in a dark space. Although the precise mechanism by which light triggers the sneeze reflex is unknown, Everett 1 has proposed two hypotheses. The number of successive sneezes is usually 2 or 3, but can be up to about 40. Then quickly exit the room and look at the a bright light, preferably the sun. photic sneeze reflex < > Most recent. Then quickly exit the room and look at the a bright light, preferably the sun. Video. Scientific Explanation Of Photic Sneeze Reflex. Text. The study was approved by the Ethics Review Committees of GeneQuest Inc. and the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Japan. Audio. detection of a urinary metabolite of asparagus, photic sneeze reflex, and freckling. It's called the photic sneeze and it's triggered by sudden sunlight. Approximately 18-35% of the population is affected by ACHOO. 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