Sneezing Treatment in India

Aadya Reddy, a 28-year-old software engineer,...

Aadya Reddy, a 28-year-old software engineer, had been experiencing relentless, violent sneezing fits for six weeks, often triggered by seemingly nothing. Each fit consisted of 15-20 consecutive sneezes, leaving her with headaches, sore abdominal muscles, and profound exhaustion. It was disrupting her work in an open-plan office and causing social anxiety. Her primary care physician in Internal Medicine, after ruling out typical allergies and infections with tests, diagnosed her with a rare condition called 'gustatory rhinitis' and 'sneeze phobia,' a cycle where the fear of sneezing in public actually triggered more sneezes. The doctor recommended a novel behavioral therapy called 'sneeze control training,' which involved diaphragmatic breathing and distraction techniques to be practiced at the onset of a sneeze. The treatment experience was challenging; Aadya felt silly at first practicing the breathing exercises. However, in a controlled clinic session, the doctor guided her through a 'sneeze trigger' simulation, and she successfully suppressed a building sneeze. Post-procedure, Aadya practiced diligently. Within three weeks, the frequency and intensity of her fits dropped dramatically. She regained control, and the associated anxiety faded. Emotionally, she journeyed from feeling helpless and embarrassed by her body's betrayal to empowered and confident, no longer dreading her work environment or social gatherings.