by Sandra Staas

Created on: June 23, 2009   Last Updated: June 27, 2009

It's quiet and peaceful in the library, people are reading and studying, and the sun is streaming through the long windows. Ah. Life is good.

Then, out of the blue your body begins to heave and this overpowering urge to sneeze has you bursting forth in a gigantic achoo. People stare at you as you fumble to find a handkerchief. Oh no. Another sneeze is about to erupt, and, much as you try to stifle it, it has a mind of its own and blasts forth in an outlandish shriek.

So much for a calm afternoon in the local library.

Surely that's not yet another sneeze flowing forth in rapid abandon from your twitching body, by now writhing in amazement at the commotion you are causing. You are indeed amazed, perhaps quite proud even, of being able to produce such deafening eruptions. After all, not everyone has this capability.

No, not all allergic reactions produce loud sneezes. Symptoms vary from person to person. Some people may experience coughing, itchy eyes, a bloated stomach, rashes, a stuffed up nose, feeling cold even on a hot day, feeling confused, itchy scalp, tightness in their chest, swellings the size of a saucer where stung by an insect.

And you thought the sneezing was bad? Ponder for a moment those individuals who, believing whole grain bread to be good for them, have themselves a lovely sandwich made out of whole wheat bread. Shortly after this delightful lunch their stomach expands and begins to gurgle. All sort of strange noises begin to emanate from them. They walk backwards for fear of offending anyone.

At Yoga class the instructor tells you to breathe in to the count of five and exhale to the count of five. Easy? No, not if your nose is completely stuffed up. A skunk could sneak in to the class and you'd never be able to tell.

It's 85 degrees on a sunny day in August. Everyone is hot and perspiring, but you're freezing cold, right to your bones. Even when you take a hot shower you feel cold.

You're sitting at traffic lights which finally turn green. It's your turn to go. Oh? But where are you going? Straight? Maybe to the right? You're feeling confused and your reactions have slowed down. That guy in the car behind starts honking his horn, lowers his window and waves his fist at you. Fortunately, in your confusion, you hardly notice the irate driver.

You're at a job interview when this uncontrollable itch spreads over your scalp. You resist the temptation to have a good scratch, so you move your head from side to side, hoping that the itch will subside.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>