Man's Windpipe Ruptures from Holding in Sneeze: A Rare and Dangerous Case
In a first-of-its-kind case, a man tore a small hole in his windpipe after attempting to hold in a sneeze while driving. The pressure generated by the stifled sneeze caused a 0.08 inch by 0.08 inch hole in his windpipe, leading to excruciating pain, swelling, and loss of throat movement. The man was treated with pain relief medication and healed completely in five days without requiring surgical intervention. This incident highlights the hazards of stopping a sneeze, as the pressure generated when holding it in can be 20 times greater than a normal sneeze.