Q: Whenever I walk outside without my sunglasses, if I glance toward the sun I start to sneeze. My mom and sisters do the same thing. Are we all allergic to sunlight? - Greta W., Nashville, Tennessee
A: An allergic reaction to the sun or sunlight probably would result in a rash or hives. Plus, regular sneezes occur when there's an irritant in your nose (dust or pollen, for example) that your body wants to expel. What you're probably experiencing is something called a photic sneeze reflex, also referred to as, get this, autosomal compelling helio-ophthalmic outburst, or the "ACHOO" syndrome. It triggers between three and 40 sneezes in rapid succession and does run in families. You have a 50% chance of inheriting the syndrome if one of your parents has it.
In a recent survey by researchers at the School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 33% of respondents were photic sneezers, like you, and your mom and siblings. Of that number, 67% were female and 94% were Caucasian. Worldwide, the condition is estimated to affect 18% to 35% of the population.
As for what triggers the ACHOO syndrome, no one really knows. One theory is that bright light stimulates the optic nerve, which in turn irritates the nose. It also seems to be more prevalent among folks who have a deviated septum. Interestingly, the U.S. military has done research on this phenomenon (without finding any definitive answers to questions about cause or cure), because photic sneeze reflex is a risk factor for combat pilots. They don't want sneezing while bombing or dodging enemy aircraft!
Our advice is to be careful driving. You could get hit by bright sunlight that triggers a sneezing fit when you're behind the wheel, and that's not good. So use sunglasses to protect your eyes and prevent sneezing. And know that your ACHOO syndrome isn't a sign of bad health.
Q: My uncle Bob is a problem gambler, and he's constantly giving my kids scratch-off lottery tickets. It makes me uncomfortable. Am I right to object? - Edith K., Boston
A: Yep, you are right for two important reasons. First, gambling is gambling, and lottery tickets are big triggers for problem gamblers like your uncle. If you want to help him out - and this time of year is full of the stressors that can trigger the gambling impulse - check out the Gamblers Anonymous website and find a local meeting; it can change his life. Maybe the two of you could go together. You don't have to be in the program to attend a meeting.
Left unchecked, problem gambling is associated with poor mental health; drug, alcohol and tobacco use; and crime. A recent British study commissioned by the independent charity GamblerAware points out that gamblers are twice as likely to smoke cigarettes daily and drink alcohol weekly. Another study found that 13% of online gamblers had substance abuse problems.
But back to buying lottery tickets. They bring in billions of dollars a year to state programs and are enormously popular. Around 70% of folks in their 20s and 30s play the lottery at least once a year; 66% of those 40 to 70 do. But lottery games also condition folks to accept gambling.
A Yale study found that when kids are given scratch-off lottery tickets as gifts they are more likely to develop risky or problematic gambling as they get older. The National Council on Problem Gambling says there's a direct correlation between the age of gambling onset and problem gambling. Bottom line: Don't give children lottery tickets as gifts! Explain to your kids that there's a far greater chance that they will one day travel in outer space than that they'll win big in a lottery. Then take them to the local library and get a book on the planets!
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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