Home » Health, Odd + Weird

Lauren Johnson: The girl who sneezes 12,000 times a day

12 November 2009 Comments

Posted by Sherwin

lauren-johnson-sneeze

A sixth grader from Chesapeak, Virginia, who sneezes as much as 12 times per minute and 12,000 times a day, has baffled her family and doctors.

12-year-old Lauren Johnson caught a cold roughly two weeks ago. The cold eventually went away, but the sneezing stuck around. It only stops when she’s in deep sleep.

Lynn Johnson, Lauren’s mother, says she suffers every time she hears her daughter sneeze. Despite visiting several doctors (including a hypnotist), and taking different medications, the mysterious condition continues.

One neurologist said that Lauren’s condition could be “irretractable psychogenic disorder,” which could be triggered by stress.

During a five-minute interview on the Today Show Lauren sneezed hundreds of times, her speech interrupted every few seconds.

WATCH:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Blog Widget by LinkWithin


  • Shashank Tomar
    I feel very sad for the poor girl. Please suggest her Yoga. Yoga has many breathing exercises like Pranayam and Anulom-Vilom which can be of great help to her. These exercises have absolutely no side-effect. Please forward the word.
  • Wow poor girl
  • colindenronden
    I often sneeze when I go to bed. At first I thought I was allergic to the blankets or something, but finally deduced it was the relaxation of the facial muscles changed the airflow in the nose. She should go to an ENT specialist and get the inside re-bored.
  • mollypoooooooooop
    This poor girl can not stop sneezing i feel so bad
  • Epsilon_P
    Such a beautiful kid. Hope she finds a way to get well soon.
  • Name
    http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Neurology/nonstop-... is a link to an article about non-stop sneezing, saying that this type of sneezing might have any of the following causes (at least):

    can be a tic (a neurologist can diagnose this)

    can be from EAR infection (fluid behind eardrum) --She should see a good EAR DOCTOR (otologist) and I saw that she touched her LEFT EAR, SEVERAL TIMES in the video), and she had a cold recently

    possible tumor in EAR

    possible Tourette's Syndrome

    ---------------------

    Another website (NY Post) had some great comments, too, including:

    --try acupuncture

    --press on an acupressure point, just above upper lip, right under nose (which stops SEIZURES)

    ---------------------------------

    Also wondering if the Benadryl could have caused bad side effects (?dystonia?)
  • Name
    Her mom should take her to a good ear doctor (otologist) AND to a neurologist.

    From an article I read, here are possible causes of her non-stop sneezing:

    1) EAR INFECTION (fluid behind eardrum). I saw her touching her LEFT EAR, several times in the video!!! (and she had a cold recently)

    2) a tic &/or Tourette's Syndrome (as others said)

    3) possible ear tumor (see good ear doctor)

    4) I would be cautious about using Benadryl (anti-histamine), as it can cause DYSTONIAS (like tic).

    Link to the article I read, is http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Neurology/nonstop-...
  • debbielane
    I stopped the famous caase of hiccups with the Hiccup Chick in 2007. I gladly offer the same help for free if the mother is interested.
    http://www.wisdomhypnosis.com/news.html

    contact@wisdomhypnosis.com
  • Joost
    Hi,
    I'm not a physician, but perhaps a short general anaestesia will do the trick.
    An ear infection or tumor in ear doesn't seems acceptable to me because she doesn't sneeze during her sleep.
    Perhaps it has some connection with light and eyes?
    Poor Lauren, all the best and I hope there will be find a solution soon.
blog comments powered by Disqus