Some Interesting Info - Why does our Body do that?

Why does our Body do that?

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, Eric
Plasker, DC, Author of The 100 Year Lifestyle, gives 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.