Learn the common causes behind your body's little quirks
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 reasons for 14 peculiar bodily functions.
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.
Coughs
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 Degree 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.
