Biology:Sniffle
A sniffle is the instinctive action of inhaling quickly in order to prevent mucus from flowing from one's nasal cavity, as an alternative to blowing the nose.
Physiology
Sniffling and having a runny nose are not always associated with sneezing or coughing.
Sniffling is not necessarily related to illness.[1] In addition to allergies and colds, it can be a result of being in cold temperatures, as a way to hold back tears, and as a tic.[2]
When it is related to illness, sniffling can aggravate or extend the illness (relative to not sniffling), by returning to the sinuses whatever substance (such as allergens) the mucus that is sniffled back was removing.
Psychology
Many people are unconscious of their sniffling, hence the stereotype of children as more apt to sniffle, since they are less conscious of stigma. The sharp high-pitched noise of a sniffle can easily become both inaudible to the performer, who experiences it as a relief, and irritating to those around the sniffler.[3]
Sociology
In many cultures, blowing one's nose in public is considered impolite, and in reaction, people can make a habit of sniffling. In many other cultures, it is considered very impolite to sniffle.[4][5]
The sound of sniffles can trigger fight-or-flight reactions or anger (with results up to and including involuntary violence) in some with misophonia.[6][7]
See also
- Rhinorrhea
- Allergy
- Common cold
- Sneeze
- Facial tissue
References
- ↑ "9 Ways to Stay Sniffle-Free - coldflusinus - Health.com". http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20436993,00.html.
- ↑ "Sniffle Definition & Meaning". http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sniffle.
- ↑ "What is Noise Anxiety? (With pictures)". 9 September 2023. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-noise-anxiety.htm.
- ↑ "Petit manuel de politesse et de savoir-vivre à l'usage de la jeunesse/Ce qu’il faut faire et ce qu’il faut éviter lorsqu’on est en société chez soi, ou chez les autres". https://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Petit_manuel_de_politesse_et_de_savoir-vivre_%C3%A0_l%27usage_de_la_jeunesse/Ce_qu%E2%80%99il_faut_faire_et_ce_qu%E2%80%99il_faut_%C3%A9viter_lorsqu%E2%80%99on_est_en_soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9_chez_soi,_ou_chez_les_autres.
- ↑ "To Blow or to Sniff — Culture Shock for an Expat". https://www.internations.org/magazine/to-blow-or-to-sniff-culture-shock-for-an-expat-19168/.
- ↑ Salamon, Maureen (2023-09-01). "When everyday noises upset you" (in en). https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/when-everyday-noises-upset-you.
- ↑ "What Is Misophonia?" (in en). https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-misophonia.
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