Things to remember about how best to manage our body functions and understand them
No matter how old you are, at some point or another you've
probably questioned why your body does what it does. Why do we sneeze, laugh,
dream, and cry? The National Cancer Institute defines body functions as "...
the physiological or psychological functions of body systems." Body
functions are our cells' way of maintaining a state of balance called
homeostasis. Homeostasis ensures that there is never too little or too much of
something in the body, because even small fluctuations, such as higher blood
sugar or blood acidity than normal, can have devastating, even lethal
consequences. It is all about staying constant, or staying as close to the same
as possible. Many if not all of our body functions are aimed at maintaining
homeostasis.
From dreaming to shivering, we will explore what is currently known about some
of our most curious bodily functions. Some functions like shivering or
sneezing, scientists mostly understand. Other functions like sleeping and dreaming
are more complicated and remain mysterious, but there are several
interesting theories behind them, so get ready to explore your body's most
peculiar functions; you are bound to learn something surprising.
Sleeping cleans the brain
Have you ever wondered why you sleep? The answer may be that our bodies need to
replenish adenosine, a compound made by the brain, according to the Sleep
Foundation. The increase in fatigue that tends to occur throughout the day is
due to fluctuating adenosine levels. At our peak hours, when we feel most
awake, adenosine levels are at their lowest, but as we get closer to the
evening hours, adenosine rises sharply, corresponding with a feeling of
sleepiness. In fact, the reason why a cup of tea/ coffee helps boost energy levels is
directly related to its effects on adenosine, according to The Journal of
Neuroscience – the caffeine in coffee (and other foods and beverages) acts as
an "adenosine antagonist," blocking the effects of adenosine and
making you feel more energized.
Another function of sleep is to "clean out" the brain. Some scientists recently
discovered a system in the brain called the glymphatic system. It involves
specialized immune cells and lymphatic vessels that usher toxins out of the
brain, making it something of the brain's personal cleanup crew. It
is most active at night when we are sleeping. Dr. Maiken's team even noted that
the glymphatic system helps remove beta amyloid plaques from the brain, one of
the primary hallmarks of Alzheimer's Disease, so a lack of sleep may indeed be
connected with disease risk. Another important thing that happens when we sleep is our brain is able to rewire all that we learned during the day, so it helps the brain to remember it all, so that you can recall it when you need it.
Laughter cements social bonds and relieves stress
Laughter is contagious. That is what everyone says, but is it true? The
philosopher John Morreal thinks that human laughter had important evolutionary
origins, according to HowStuffWorks. He felt laughter was meant to be a shared
form of relief when a perceived danger or threat had finally passed. Laughter
also puts the brakes on the body's fight-or-flight response, boosting levels of
trust with others. Indeed, according to the cultural anthropologist Mahadev
Apte, "Laughter occurs when people are comfortable with one another, when
they feel open and free. And the more laughter [there is], the more bonding
[occurs] within the group" .
The act of laughing itself increases our intake of oxygen, working the muscles,
heart, and lungs, according to the Mayo Clinic. It also increases endorphins,
the body's natural feel-good and pain-relieving chemicals. Long-term, laughter
can boost the immune system, reduce pain, and improve mood, making it easier to
deal with life's challenges. All the more reason to share a night of giggles
with friends!
Some more important things with laughter is, we make more friends when we laugh. Another most important things is, we use more muscles when we laugh, so it is said that you won't get wrinkles even if you age. Isn't that a very good reason to keep laughing to remain young !
Smiling also releases dopamine, serotonin, and small molecules known as neuropeptides that help reduce stress. In fact, a 2012 study showed that smiling helps to reduce resting heart rate, a sign that the body is recovering from stress and entering a state of relaxation. Reduced heart rate is also a marker of cardiovascular health, so smiling could literally benefit your heart. Even more incredibly, there is evidence showing that even faking a smile or smiling even if you don't feel happy, can improve your mood and make you feel happier.
Crying releases endorphins
We know that strong emotions make some people cry, but have you ever wondered
why this is? What purpose does crying serve? Well, it turns out there is more
than one reason we cry, according to doctors. Some tears help maintain eye health
— these include the basal tears that keep the eyeballs lubricated, and the
tears that help to expel irritants that find their way into the eye. But the
type of tears caused by strong feelings are deemed "emotional tears,"
which communicate to others that we are sad, in pain, or experiencing some
other very strong emotion, including joy.
Similar to laughter, emotional crying is felt to be a way to connect humans to
one another, garnering empathy and understanding at a time when we feel most
vulnerable. Before we learn to speak, we first communicate to our caregivers
that something is wrong through crying. This method remains with us, even once
we've learned to communicate in other ways, because it is such a powerful cue.
Crying is also good for the person crying — we are quite literally releasing
pain when we cry, evidenced by the higher composition of stress hormones and
natural painkillers contained in emotional tears.
Crying can be healthy, but even too much of a good thing may signal a problem.
If you find yourself crying more than you would like, or if you are
experiencing signs of depression such as feeling hopeless, helpless, or losing
interest in activities you used to enjoy, you should speak with your doctor or
a mental health professional.
Interestingly, our present mood can even affect what we do or don't recall. There is research showing that when we feel more joyful, we are more likely to recall positive memories, and vice versa. Indeed, according to a 2017 study out of Clinical Psychological Science, there is even evidence to suggest that the pain reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol) may not only curb physical pain, but may curb emotional pain as well . In fact, it may even help to dampen the heightened emotional response in people living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
Vomiting expels toxins from your body
Few are thrilled about the prospect of vomiting, but vomiting serves an important purpose. According to the Cleveland Clinic, vomiting is an unconscious reflex managed by the brain in response to ingested toxins. The immune system and nervous system work in concert to trigger this reflex once they detect the presence of pathogens such as bacteria or viruses, or other potentially harmful substances like drugs or alcohol. Of course, other conditions such as pregnancy or vertigo can trigger vomiting as well.
Simply put, vomiting is often the body's way of getting something harmful out of our system, but too much vomiting can lead to dehydration and may signal serious illness so you should always talk to your doctor if you are vomiting. In the meantime, the Cleveland Clinic suggests you pause on eating for a few hours after vomiting, and take only little drinks of water periodically to avoid overwhelming your sensitive stomach. Focus on clear liquids after this period: ginger ale, water-based broth, water, etc. When you feel up to eating again, opt for bland foods such as toast, bananas, and crackers that are not spicy or strong in flavor. Avoid caffeinated and sugary beverages, which may worsen vomiting and cause dehydration.
Do speak with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter anti-vomiting/nausea medications, such as Pepto-Bismol, as they may cause more harm depending on the reason you are vomiting. Also, some anti-vomiting medications must be avoiding in children and pregnant women, per GoodRx Health.
Fever helps to fight infection
No one enjoys having a fever, but there is a reason why your body cranks up the heat dial when you are sick. According to Medline Plus, a fever is the body's effort to kill viruses or bacteria that are causing an infection. Since most viruses and pathogens thrive at the body's normal temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, an elevated body temperature can help kill these dangerous pathogens. Fever also communicates to your immune system that something has invaded, mobilizing white blood cells into action.
If you have a low-grade fever (lower than 102 degrees Fahrenheit in adults), the Mayo Clinic recommends getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and keeping yourself cool (as long as you're not shivering). Over-the-counter fever reducers might be recommended by your doctor — just be sure to follow the instructions on the label. For a fever 103 degrees Fahrenheit or above in adults, speak with a healthcare provider. It is important to seek emergency medical care right away if a high temperature is combined with other symptoms such as rash, confusion, or vomiting, as this can be dangerous and put you at risk for serious complications.
Sneezing expels inhaled contaminants
We all know that familiar tickle in the nose when we're about to let loose a spray of snot, but have you ever wondered why exactly you sneeze? According to Healthline, sneezing happens when a foreign particle — such as smoke, mold, dander, or a pathogen — enters the nose and stimulates a response from the hairs and sensitive skin within. This triggers an electrical signal to be sent to the brain, preparing your body to sneeze. The sneeze itself then expels water, mucous, air, and hopefully the irritant from your nose. And sneezes have force behind them, which is why you should never try to hold it back. Mucus droplets are propelled out of the nose at a speed of up to 100 mph, enough to rupture an eardrum if held in, according to Healthline
Now here's a fun fact: some people also sneeze in response to sunlight due to a genetic mutation, according to Scientific American. This reflex — the "photic sneeze reflex," or PSR — occurs in about 18-35% of people. People with it often find themselves sneezing when entering direct sunlight after being in an environment with low lighting.
Compressed nerves makes your foot sleepy
Everyone knows that familiar tingly pins-and-needles feeling, when you've sat in one place for too long or in a weird position, and your foot "falls asleep." This occasional minor nuisance is perfectly normal in most cases and is actually a result of nerve compression, according to Healthline. When the foot nerve is irritated or compressed, the connection between the brain and the nerves is temporarily cut off. Fortunately, the connection between the nerves and brain is quickly restored once you get up or change positions.
Of course, if you notice your foot falling asleep frequently, particularly if it happens at other times than those mentioned, you should speak with your doctor. Other medical conditions can lead to a sleepy foot, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and some types of cancers.
There are multiple ways to wake your foot up, such as simply getting up and walking around, changing positions, or doing an ankle roll where you flex the affected ankle forward and backward and then from side to side. This is usually enough to get the sensation back in your foot again.
Shivering makes you warmer
On chilly days spent outside in the cold, you quickly start to shiver. Your muscles contract and your teeth chatter, but why? It turns out that shivering is the body's way of warming itself. Since we need to maintain a temperature at or close to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit to stay healthy and prevent hypothermia, our brain tracks our body heat levels to ensure that we stay warm under cold conditions, according to NYC-based emergency physician Dr. Robert Glatter, per Live Science.
The hypothalamus is a small structure located deep within the brain that monitors many bodily functions such as hunger, thirst, sleep, and body temperature, ensuring they remain in balance. When nerves at the surface of the skin relay signs of chilliness to the hypothalamus, it induces that familiar, uncontrollable contraction in our muscles known as shivering. Since muscle contractions release energy in the form of motion and heat, the heat energy can be a way to warm the body.
Other conditions unrelated to feeling cold — such as low blood sugar, or a spike in adrenaline – can also cause shivering. So if you are shivering for unexplained reasons, speak with your doctor.
Earwax keeps your ears clean
Most of us don't think much about earwax, but earwax serves an important role for our health. According to the Cleveland Clinic, earwax, also known as cerumen, has important antimicrobial properties, helping to prevent infections and also acting to lubricate the ear. Earwax also traps dirt, dust, bugs, or anything else that might find itself inside your ear, preventing it from traveling further (via Nemours KidsHealth).
Too much earwax can lead to issues such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or even hearing loss, but earwax should never be removed with utensils such as cotton swabs or Q-tips, as that can damage the fragile, inner ear (via Cleveland Clinic). The ear is a "self-cleaning" organ, and so usually the older earwax moves out of the ear naturally on its own. If you have a problem with earwax buildup, see a doctor who can remove it safely with medicines placed in the ear (per Nemours KidsHealth).
The hair down there traps germs and (maybe) pheromones
Whether or not you choose to remove it or keep it is your personal choice, but the hair in your nether regions does technically serve a purpose. According to Healthline, pubic hair helps to trap dirt and germs, preventing them from entering the genitals. It also provides warmth, similar to hair on other parts of the body. The pubic hair follicles produce sebum, an oily substance with antimicrobial properties. Lastly, because the skin in the genital region is thin and sensitive, pubic hair protects it from friction during activities that might lead to damage, such as sexual intercourse.
Beyond these functions, pubic hair may be a sign of sexual maturity, since it first appears during the pubescent years. Some scientists theorize that pubic hair might help to trap pheromones, which are scent-bearing chemicals secreted by the apocrine sweat glands found in the pubic region. It is thought that this may help attract a potential mate.
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