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Thursday, January 10, 2013

20 Funky Things That Our Bodies Do

You may not know it, but our bodies do some uncomfortable, at times embarrassing or simply weird things. But what really causes these reactions? Read on to learn the common reasons for 20 strange bodily functions.

Coughs

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Your body has another defense mechanism to get rid of irritants. By coughing, the airway is cleared of irritants, foreign particles and microbes. By coughing, sensory nerves along your respiratory passages are stimulated thus forcing irritants out of your nose. Common colds, sinus infections and pneumonia all increase your body’s mucus production, which triggers coughing. Coughing is also a common symptom when the airways are ‘tight’, as in asthma or heavy smoking.

Sneezes

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Foreign particles or irritants inside your nose can trigger a sneeze. These irritants include cold air, dust or pepper. When you catch a cold, your body makes mucus to trap the virus, and sneezing helps force it. (and the sickness) out of your body. Sneezing can further be triggered when a person has allergies to certain things, such as animal dander or pollen. Also, sudden climate change, a particularly full stomach, exposure to bright light, or as a symptom of viral infection can trigger sneezing.

Yawns

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The accepted explanation for this phenomenon is that yawning happens because the oxygen levels in our lungs are low. A yawn is the reflex opening of the mouth followed by the deep inhalation and slow exhalation of oxygen. Also, it is a way to regulate the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in your blood.

Shivers

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Your body needs to keep a core temperature of about 98.6°F (36.9°C), when your temperature drops too low, skin receptors send signals to the brain, which sets into motion a series of warming tricks. Shivering is full-body muscle twitching in which your muscles contract and expand in speedy bursts. This twitching exercise produces heat, which helps to raise body temperature. When we develop a cold, the cold virus makes our temperature drop, which is why we often shiver even if we are in a warm environment. The best option to stop shivering is to put extra layers of clothes on.

Hiccups



Everyone experiences hiccups from time to time, especially after eating too much food or drinking too much alcohol. Hiccups are caused by sudden contractions of the diaphragm; the muscle at the base of the lungs. This contraction makes your vocal cords close very briefly, which produces the sound of a hiccup. Hiccups usually disappear after a few minutes. If hiccups last for days, see your doctor. Hiccups are normal in newborns and infants.

Eye Twitches

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Eye twitching (myokymia) is an involuntary eyelid muscle contraction that usually affects the lower eyelid. Its exact cause is still unknown but eye twitching develops due to the following reasons: lack of sleep, stress, lack of sleep or eye strain. Twitching has also been associated with high caffeine intake, bright lights, fatigue, watching too much TV, and staring at the computer all day. An eyelid twitch is usually a sign that you need to take a break and relax.

Scratches

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When our body loses its moisture due to environment related things or over-washing, our skin becomes dry and strip of its natural oils. Itching is usually caused by the release of histamine, a chemical with many functions in the body, whether as a result of bites, allergy, irritation or disease. By means of neural pathways, the sensation is transmitted to the brain. Face or body lotion should be able to keep these types of itches under control; also look for body washes and soaps labeled “moisturizing.”

Face Blushes

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Scientifically, blushing begins with an emotion – usually one associated with self-consciousness. When you’re embarrassed or ashamed, an involuntary reaction of our nervous system causes the blood vessels in our face to dilate. This allows more blood to flow to the skin, resulting in a color that ranges from light pink to dark red.

Goosebumps

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Goosebumps are caused by tightening muscles which pull body hair into an erect position. This condition wherein tiny bumps covers your skin starts with a stimulus such as cold or fear. Goosebumps occur when the arrector pili, a tiny muscle that connects the hair follicle with skin, contracts and makes the hair stand on end. They are common on the arms and legs, but goose bumps can technically appear anywhere, including on the face, scalp, and chest.

Charley Horses

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Charley horse, also called a leg cramp, is due to a painful contraction of one of the leg muscles (usually the thigh or calf muscles). These abrupt, painful muscle spasms can be blamed on several things, including sore muscles, dehydration a mineral deficiency or hormonal imbalance. Spasms can occur more at night, sometimes because the leg is stretched out, essentially encouraging the spasm. To avoid getting legs cramps, be sure to increase fluid intake when working out. However, if you experience this type of cramping, treat it with a good stretch, massage the muscles and walk around to help relieve the pain.

Watch out for Part 2 of this post.

24 comments:

  1. Charley Horse or cramps is my common enemy during runs especially on the longer distance but I'm building leg strength for the muscle.

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  2. I, for one, certainly know these usual things that happen to our body. But if I were to choose which one keeps me amused all the time, that would be yawning and sneezing! :) I used to believe that every time you sneeze, your heart stops, which I now believe has no truth to it. :P

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  3. From the given body reactions what I don't like is hiccups, it's an ill feeling! I just drink water for that.

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  4. Wow, this is a very informative post, I knew and experienced these but a few facts behind them I only learned through reading your post :)

    Keep it up!

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  5. Can't wait for the part 2. That leg cramps photo looks painful though. I experienced leg cramps (both legs) years ago when I was riding at a certain passenger bus. Yes, it made me ask for help just to get down at that bus. Really painful.

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  6. Wow this is a good summary! I just knew two years ago that people blink when they sneeze. I thought about it and found that it's true!

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  7. I would like to add that when we blush this is also due to the niacin, a vitamin in our body. That is the reason why blushing is also synonymous to 'niacin flush.' This thing I learned in college :)

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  8. yes, those body reaction sometimes weird but this is what we called natural body mechanism. our body reacts when we feel something not in common.

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  9. For real? Yawning? Tahahaha! I should bring an oxygen tank with me then at work. :D

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  10. I admit! I yawn and does have eye twitches most if the time hehe great information! Love this!

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  11. Our body is really amazing. It's the most efficient machine ever designed that only God can create.

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  12. Goosebumps - I have to say that this the weirdest thing of all! LOL I don't want to experience it ever. haha

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  13. I think my worst enemy is hiccups, I don't like it when I have one..

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  14. Interesting post Kuya and it's good to know why our bodies do such things. I never really understand eye twitching but I do now. Thanks!

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  15. Great one,your explanation helps a lot for better understand why our bodies does this silly things.

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  16. hhahaa...how interesting...I just love looking at the photos...hilarious yet true!

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  17. charlie horses...new sa pandinig ko..
    and among others ang napansin ko lang yawn is contagious...hehehe..for some reason..if may nakikita akong nag yawn pati ako mag yawn na rin..

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  18. IT's weird when I was reading about eye twitching, is somehow made me do it I had to go away from the computer to shake it off! But what an awesome article Papaleng:) Another informative post! Yes!:)

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  19. Champion ako sa goosebumps!! LoL.. Kahit naka-todo na ang heater, sa sobrang nilalamig ako, lagi nalang may goosebumps.. Di pa din ako sanay sa klima dito.. Pang-bundok talaga ako! Hehehe

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  20. Of all these interesting funky things what I experience often is the eye twitching secondary to eye strain from....looking at the computer for prolonged periods of time hehehe, thank you for this wonderful article...I will be waiting for part 2 :D have a happy day po :)

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  21. Ever since I used the computer regularly, I started experiencing eye twitches. It reminds me to rest because sometimes I can get so engrossed in writing that I forget I need to take a break.

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  22. I can't wait for the second part. The yawning baby is really cute.

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  23. Great post, Papa!! Really interesting thoughts

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  24. One to four sneezes are greatly enjoyable. Continuous sneezes from an allergy are really unbearable!

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