• BODY ODDITIES Vicky Salemi

     

     

    Ever wonder why your eye suddenly starts twitching or why you start hiccupping uncontrollably in public and simply can't stop? Or how about pondering the medical reason behind yawning or getting a brain freeze immediately after eating ice cream?  Well, according to experts there are medical reasons for such oddities and what you're about to read may surprise you.

     

     

     

    SNEEZING

    Achewww!  Known as sternutation, the act of sneezing removes an irritant from the nose.  When a particle or cluster of particles pass through nasal hairs and reach the nasal mucosa, they trigger histamine production. This reaches nerve cells in the nose which signals to the brain to initiate a sneeze. Particles such as dust may irritate the nose and result in a sneeze.  Sneezing is more common for people with allergies when they're exposed to various allergens like animal dander and pollen.

     

     

    HICCUPS

    Hiccups are the result of a spasm in the diaphragm, which contracts to pull air into the lungs causing a sudden rush of inhaled air. According to Dr. Michael Farber, Director, Executive Health Program, Hackensack University Medical Center, "This sets off a chain reaction causing the airway opening to close quickly which in turn halts the flow of air thus causing the vocal cords to react by closing quickly, creating the characteristic hic." Hiccups may be the result of eating a big meal, swallowing air, drinking carbonated beverages, tobacco use or sudden emotional excitement. He explains, "Hiccups may improve through basic maneuvers such as relaxation or distraction, eating and drinking, or techniques of altered breathing."

     

     

    BLUSHING

    Awwww, you're blushing.  Turning red in the face is caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the face.  In fact, this normal physiologic response allows the transfer of heat from our bodies to the skin's surface.  Dr. Yael Halaas, board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York explains, "Several factors cause blushing such as a change of temperature, spicy foods, emotional responses and alcohol.  Some medical conditions can also cause blushing such as Acne Rosacea."  In this condition, there is an increase of vasculature and enlargement of blood vessels in the face.  This condition can be treated by a dermatologist or qualified physician.

     

     

     

    BRAIN-FREEZE

    This almost instantaneous headache is a reaction to a cold substance coming into the roof of the mouth. Better known as brain freeze, Dr. Michael Farber says, "Typical onset is within seconds of exposure to a cold precipitant, as the body reacts by initially reducing blood flow to the region to conserve heat followed by enhanced blood flow return to the region."  Nerves within the area sense this and transmit the sensation back to the nerve base as pain.  His advice -- relieve pain by pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth to warm the area.

     

     

     

    EYE TWITCH

    According to experts, eye twitching is essentially a spontaneous spasm of muscles surrounding the eye. The involuntary twitching of an eyelid muscle may last less than a minute, although twitching may occur in one eye or the other, in both or underneath the eye.  Some experts attribute it to fatigue, stress or caffeine.  If spasms persist a doctor should be consulted.

     

     

     

     

    YAWNING

    Known as the act of opening the mouth by taking a deep breath, yawning is a reflex often associated with fatigue, stress or boredom.  Some experts say the real reason why we yawn is a result of low oxygen levels in our lungs.  As such, when we're resting we don't use our entire lung capacity and just use air sacs at the bottom of our lungs.  If the air sacs don't get fresh air, they partially collapse and as a result our brain prompts the body to yawn or possibly sigh to get more air into the lungs.

     

     

     

    LEG CRAMPS

    Although painful sensations caused by contracting or over shortening of muscles, better known as leg cramps, may occur infrequently they may also be a sign of medical disorders.  For instance, in a young athlete leg cramping may be associated with dehydration, especially after intense exercise. According to Dr. Sean McCance, Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon, Mount Sinai Hospital and Lenox Hill Hospital, in the elderly population leg cramps is a common symptom of a condition called spinal stenosis.  "Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, which leads to compression of the nerves in the lower back. When people stand up and walk, the compression gets worse and that causes vague aching, cramping and sometimes pain and numbness in the legs."  Plus, he says in general leg cramping can be a sign of poor blood supply to the legs.  Typically when a patient complains of leg cramping; both a spinal exam and a vascular exam are performed.

     

     

     

    DOUBLE JOINTEDNESS

    Double-jointedness, or the ability to have flexible joints that bend in unusual ways, is also known as hypermobility. Basically, joints and surrounding structures such as ligaments and tendons are abnormally flexible which enables people to bend or rotate them in various ways. For instance, if people can bend their thumbs backwards to their wrists, this is the result of misaligned joints, abnormally shaped ends of one or more bones at a joint. Essentially, joints that stretch more than what is considered normal.  The extreme flexibility signifies a wide range of movement between the bones as the result of a shallow socket, extra stretchy ligaments or bone ends that are smoother than normal.

     

     

     

    PINS and NEEDLES

    Oooh, ahhhh, owww....when it comes to the pins and needles sensation in your legs, there could be a variety of reasons why it's occurring.  Dr. Sean McCance explains, "When pins and needles is in one leg only, it is more likely related to a mechanical problem, whereas if it is in both legs, it is more likely related to a metabolic problem such as a vitamin deficiency, excessive alcohol use, or diabetes."  In the setting of lower back pain he says it could be a sign of a herniated disc.  This could cause symptoms including pins and needles and numbness in the leg, as well as pain and weakness.  He adds, "That is best assessed by physical examination by a spinal specialist followed by an MRI."

     

     

     

     
Last Modified on December 20, 2007