aivastelun

Aivastelu, known in English as sneezing, is a rapid, forceful expulsion of air from the nose and mouth that helps remove irritants from the nasal passages. It is a reflex action triggered by stimulation of the nasal mucosa. A tickling or itching sensation in the nose commonly precedes a sneeze. The reflex arc involves sensory input via the trigeminal nerve to a sneeze center in the brainstem, followed by coordinated motor output that includes closing the glottis and driving air outward through the nose and mouth. In Finnish, aivastelu is the noun for sneezing, and the form aivastelun appears in phrases such as “aivastelun syy” (the cause of sneezing).

Causes and triggers are varied. Allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and animal dander can provoke sneezing in sensitive individuals. Infections like the common cold or influenza commonly cause sneezing during the course of illness. Irritants such as cigarette smoke, pollution, strong odors, and changes in temperature or humidity can initiate an aivastelu episode. Some people experience a photic sneeze reflex, a genetic trait in which bright light triggers sneezing. Sneezing patterns often align with pollen seasons or periods of upper-respiratory infection.

Public health and clinical notes. Sneezing disseminates respiratory droplets, contributing to the spread of contagious illnesses in crowded settings. Practically, covering the mouth and nose, using tissues, or sneezing into the elbow helps reduce transmission.

Management and treatment are generally targeted at the underlying trigger. For allergic sneezing, antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids may reduce symptoms; saline irrigation can ease nasal irritation; avoiding known triggers is helpful. Persistent or unusual sneezing warrants medical evaluation to rule out chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, or other conditions.