Whether uncomfortable, embarrassing or just plain weird,
there are some pretty funky things that our bodies do.
Curious about the causes of such reactions as hiccups,
goose bumps and eye twitches, we spoke with Eric Plasker,
DC, author of The 100 Year Lifestyle, to get the real scoop.
Read on to discover the common
Yawns
If your body is low on oxygen, your mouth opens wide and
tries to suck more in. Yawning is a way to regulate the amount
of carbon dioxide and oxygen in your blood. Unfortunately,
yawns are nearly impossible to stifle.
Eye Twitches
Serious eye twitches can be a symptom of neurological disorders,
but often there is a more mundane explanation. Common causes
for eye twitches include stress, lack of sleep extended staring
or eye strain. Before you get frantic, try reducing your stress level,
cutting back on caffeine and catching up on sleep.
Itches
According to Dr. Plasker, our skin most often gets itchy because of
dryness associated with the environment or over-washing”
water and soap can strip skin of its natural oils, thus sapping
moisture. Face or body lotion should be able to keep these types
of itches under control; also look for body washes and soaps
labeled “moisturizing. If you still have itchy patches,
you may be experiencing an allergic reaction to a chemical,
plant, food, animal or drug.
See an allergist if the itching is persistent.
Hiccups
If you've frequently got a case of the hiccups, try slowing
down when you eat and drink, suggests Dr. Plasker. Doing
either too quickly causes your stomach to swell; this irritates
your diaphragm, which contracts and causes hiccups.
You may also get hiccups in emotional situations or if
your body experiences a sudden temperature change.
In both of these cases, the hiccups are a result of a glitch in
your nerve pathways, which is why a sudden scare—which
might shake up and reset your nerves—can
sometimes end an episode.
Goose Bumps
Those tiny bumps that cover your skin when you’re cold or
scared are actually a defense mechanism. Goose bumps occur
when the arrector pili, a tiny muscle that connects the hair follicle
with skin, contracts and makes the hair stand on end. If you
had more hair—like cavemen did—the upright hair would
trap air to keep you warm or make you look bushier and
therefore more threatening to predators
Sneezes
Sneezes happen when your body is trying to expel an irritant
from the nasal cavity. If you have allergies, pollen or pet dander
is usually to blame. If you have a cold, your body makes mucus to
trap the virus, and sneezing helps force it (and the sickness) out
of your body. An over-the-counter allergy or cold medicine helps
suppress your reaction to allergens or reduce mucus production,
which should prevent sneezing fits.
Cough
A cough is another mechanism your body uses to get rid of irritants.
There are special cells along your air passage, says Dr. Plasker,
that recognize irritants and force them out. Common colds,
sinus infections and pneumonia all increase your body’s
mucus production, which triggers coughing. Smoking and asthma
also tend to irritate the cells. To help cut down on chronic
coughing, exercise regularly and practice good posture to
keep your air passage open.
Charley Horses
These sudden, super-painful muscle spasms can be blamed on
several things, including dehydration or electrolyte imbalances—
often from strenuous exercise. After a demanding workout or an
extra-long run, sip a sports drink to keep your system running
smoothly. If you experience this type of cramping,
walk around to help relieve the pain.
Shivers
Shivering, says Dr. Plasker, is full-body muscle twitching.
When your temperature drops too low, your body shakes all
over in an attempt to generate heat. The only way to cure these
kind of shivers is to get your temperature back to 98.6°F.
Ear Ringing
Ear ringing, or tinnitus, can happen for two reasons. If you have
fluid or an infection in your middle ear, you may hear a constant
buzz. However, the more common cause is damage to the
microscopic ends of your hearing nerves, which often happens
when you’re exposed to loud noises. To prevent permanent
damage (and preserve your hearing), wear earplugs at
concerts and sporting events—or even
when you mow the lawn.
Stomach Rumbles
As food, liquid and gas move through your digestive tract, your
stomach muscles and intestines contract and cause rumbling
noises—borborygmi is the scientific name. Everyone’s stomach
makes noise during digestion, but if you have extra-loud
rumbles, a teaspoon of olive oil or a cup of herbal tea with
lemon may help ease them, says Dr. Plasker.
Limbs Falling Asleep
When there’s consistent pressure on part of a limb—like
when you sit on your feet or rest your head on an arm—the
pressure squeezes your nerve pathways and scrambles messages
sent to your brain. The mixed messages make you lose feeling
in the squished body part because your brain has trouble telling
it what to do. To prevent a case of pins and needles, avoid
sitting or lying in positions that compress your nerves.
Seeing Stars
If you stand too quickly, suffer a blow to the head or are
stricken by a migraine, there’s a good chance you’ll
see stars as blood surges to different parts of your body.
Generally these tiny flashes of light will fade in a few seconds.
If you see stars for more than a few moments, you could have
a tear or tiny clot in your retina, and you should consult
a physician immediately.
Ear Popping
The Eustachian tube in your inner ear is responsible for
maintaining equal pressure on both sides of your eardrum.
When you experience a rapid change in altitude—during
takeoff in an airplane or when riding an elevator in an extra-tall
building—the Eustachian tube opens to release pressure,
and you hear a pop. To force the tube open
(and “pop your ears),
squeeze your nostrils closed while exhaling forcefully
through your nose
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