ACHOO syndrome Health Article

Diagnosis

The ACHOO syndrome is diagnosed simply by observing the sneezing pattern of a person, and by looking into the sneezing patterns of the person's close relatives. If the person seems to sneeze every time they are exposed to a bright light, and if their parents and offspring do the same, then the diagnosis of the ACHOO syndrome can be made.

Currently, there are no known blood tests or other medical tests that can help diagnose the syndrome.

Treatment and management

There are no specific treatments for the ACHOO syndrome. Common measures, such as wearing sunglasses, can help people who are severely affected.

There have been reports that people who have nasal allergies have a higher incidence of the ACHOO syndrome. Therefore, it is sometimes assumed that medications that are used for allergies, such as antihistamines, could perhaps play a beneficial role in the ACHOO syndrome. However, no studies have successfully demonstrated that the syndrome is relieved by this type of medication. Alternative medicine, including homeopathy and herbal medicine, recommend a wide range of remedies for nasal allergies, these may accordingly also be helpful for the ACHOO syndrome.

Prognosis

People with the ACHOO syndrome generally have the condition for life. There is no evidence showing that the ACHOO syndrome in any way affects a person's life span.

BOOKS

Knight, Jeffrey, and Robert McClenaghan. Encyclopedia of Genetics. Pasadena: Salem Press, 1999.

PERIODICALS

Askenasy, J. J. M. "The Photic Sneeze." Postgraduate Medical Journal (February 1990): 892-893.

Edward R. Rosick, DO, MPH, MS