What Body Sounds to Listen for

2014-07-17

The human body can make a lot of weird sounds, pops, whistles and creaks among many others. Some of these you can ignore, others mean a more serious health issue may be behind it. So how can you tell which ones are worrisome and which others you can ignore? Here are what body sounds to listen for to safeguard your health and to know when something might be up. Are you a snorer? The sound of snoring is caused by vibration of the soft tissue of the mouth and throat in tandem with your breathing. Nasal strips or sprays can help. But losing weight helps so much more. If you notice that you are feeling sleepy all day, you wake up in a sweat or wake up gasping, chances are you have a serious condition called sleep apnea. Stroke, diabetes and other serious conditions can result. If this is happening to you see a doctor right away. There are treatments such as surgery, sleeping with a CPAP machine or an in-office procedure called pillar implants. Do your knees or ankles crack or pop? Three things can cause this to happen. Fluid could be shifting causing gas bubbles to pop, your joints could be off track, or it could be a tendon or tendons making a snapping sound as they move over your joints. If it becomes swollen, locked or painful, seek out a doctor. In an ankle it could be arthritis or tendon damage.

Does your stomach gurgle, grumble or growl between meals? Don’t worry, this is just the normal process of the stomach and intestines cleaning themselves out and getting rid of any debris or detritus that might be leftover. If you aren’t hungry you shouldn’t eat.  If you have any swelling or pain that goes with it however, you should see a doctor. If you hear a sloshing sound when the abdomen is pressed, seek out a physician right away. Rarely does it happen but if the bowels have contracted too much or too little there may be a blockage which could need surgery. Does your jawbone pop or click? This could mean that your jaw’s hinge, called the temporomandibular joint could be misaligned. But that doesn’t mean it’s a problem necessarily. If your jaw gets locked shut or if you can’t close or open it all the way, see a physician. If you grind your teeth at night you may need a mouth guard. Avoid things that test your jaw such as steak, taffy, gum or any other chewy foods. Have you ever heard your nose whistle? It’s generally a sign of congestion either from a cold or allergies. It means the space for air in your nose is narrow. If it happens after an injury however you should see your healthcare provider as it could be a perforated septum or a tear in the thin layer between the nostrils. Lastly, a ringing, buzzing or humming in the ears could signal tinnitus. Being around loud noise for extended periods without protection can damage the inner ear. It’s best to wear ear plugs any time you are around loud noises. Most however have no cause and there isn’t any cure to date. So don’t bother going to your doctor about it.