The 'snatiation' reflex causes some people to sneeze uncontrollably after eating a large meal.

The term 'snatiation' was first coined in 1989 by researchers Ahmed and colleagues in a letter to the Journal of Medical Genetics. It is a portmanteau of the words 'sneezing' and 'satiation' and describes an autosomal dominant trait. This means if one parent has the reflex, their children have a 50% chance of inheriting it.The biological mechanism involves the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for facial sensations and motor functions like biting and chewing. When the stomach becomes significantly distended after a large meal, it may inadvertently trigger the ophthalmic branch of this nerve. This sends a signal to the brain's sneeze center, which is located in the medulla oblongata.While the reflex is harmless, it typically results in a rapid succession of 3 to 15 sneezes immediately following a meal. This phenomenon is similar to the 'photic sneeze reflex,' where bright light triggers sneezing in about 18% to 35% of the population. Both conditions are considered benign genetic quirks rather than medical disorders.Medical literature suggests that the reflex may be more common than reported because many people do not realize their post-meal sneezing is a documented medical condition. Researchers believe the proximity of the gastric nerves to the cranial nerve pathways allows for this 'cross-talk' or misfiring of signals. No specific treatment is required, as the sneezing stops once the initial stomach stretching sensation subsides.