13 Weird Noises Your Body Makes and What They Really Mean
From
the rumbling in your tummy to the popping of a joint, the human body
produces a curious symphony of sounds. Most are perfectly normal (if
slightly embarrassing). But in some cases, they can be alarm bells.
“It’s the context that helps you figure out if a particular noise is
worrisome,” explains internist Kurt Hafer, MD, clinical assistant
professor of medicine at Stanford School of Medicine. Here, Dr. Hafer
and other experts reveal when a gurgle, burp, queef or toot is a cause
for concern—or just a giggle.
Whistling in your nose
Whistling is a sign of airflow obstruction and may mean excess mucus is lining your nasal passages. Clear things out with a decongestant (if you’ve got a cold) or an antihistamine (for allergies).
Whistling is a sign of airflow obstruction and may mean excess mucus is lining your nasal passages. Clear things out with a decongestant (if you’ve got a cold) or an antihistamine (for allergies).
When
to worry: If you suffered a nasal trauma, whistling may indicate a tear
in the cartilage between the nostrils, repairable by an ENT or plastic
surgeon.
Sneezing
Sneezing may be triggered by anything from a virus to bright lights, which can stimulate a reflex response running from the brain to the diaphragm. Some folks’ achoos are louder because of the volume of their lungs, size of their trachea or strength of their abs.
Sneezing may be triggered by anything from a virus to bright lights, which can stimulate a reflex response running from the brain to the diaphragm. Some folks’ achoos are louder because of the volume of their lungs, size of their trachea or strength of their abs.
When to worry: Chronic attacks may warrant allergy testing.
Whooshing in your ears
Whooshing that you hear when you’re lying with your head on a pillow could be blood moving through your carotid artery and jugular vein, which run behind your ear. The sound becomes noticeable when external noise is blocked, says Anil Lalwani, MD, vice chair for research in the department of otolaryngology at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Whooshing you hear 24/7 may be due to an infection or allergies. Congestion in your eustachian tube, which connects your nose and throat to the middle ear, also muffles external sounds; it should clear on its own or with the help of an antibiotic or decongestant.
Whooshing that you hear when you’re lying with your head on a pillow could be blood moving through your carotid artery and jugular vein, which run behind your ear. The sound becomes noticeable when external noise is blocked, says Anil Lalwani, MD, vice chair for research in the department of otolaryngology at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Whooshing you hear 24/7 may be due to an infection or allergies. Congestion in your eustachian tube, which connects your nose and throat to the middle ear, also muffles external sounds; it should clear on its own or with the help of an antibiotic or decongestant.
When to worry: Whooshing without obstructed hearing could mean a blood vessel blockage or abnormality; call your doc.
Ringing in your ears
Ringing in one or both ears is known as tinnitus. Infections, aging and very loud noise can damage hair cells in the inner ear that translate sound waves into electrical signals. The result: “Your cochlea sends signals to the brain even when no sound waves come in,” Dr. Lalwani explains.
Ringing in one or both ears is known as tinnitus. Infections, aging and very loud noise can damage hair cells in the inner ear that translate sound waves into electrical signals. The result: “Your cochlea sends signals to the brain even when no sound waves come in,” Dr. Lalwani explains.
When
to worry: If a phantom sound lasts more than two days or is accompanied
by pain or vertigo, see a doctor for tests to rule out infection or
neurological issues.
Belching
Belching is the sound of air escaping your stomach. No surprise—it’s usually a result of swallowing air, notes Claudia Gruss, MD, a gastroenterologist at ProHealth Physicians in southwestern Connecticut. Reduce burps by not talking with your mouth full, eating slowly and skipping carbonated drinks.
Belching is the sound of air escaping your stomach. No surprise—it’s usually a result of swallowing air, notes Claudia Gruss, MD, a gastroenterologist at ProHealth Physicians in southwestern Connecticut. Reduce burps by not talking with your mouth full, eating slowly and skipping carbonated drinks.
When
to worry: Burps plus burning chest pain or a sore throat might be
symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, which can be treated with
Rx drugs.
Related: 11 Bad Habits That Bloat You
Hiccups
Hiccups occur when your diaphragm spasms, causing an inhale that’s abruptly stopped by the glottis (part of the larynx). The diaphragm is partially controlled by the vagus and phrenic nerves, which can be stimulated by excitement, nervousness, certain meds or stomach distention after a big meal. You might be able to halt them by holding your breath, which ups carbon dioxide levels in the lungs and may relax the diaphragm.
Hiccups occur when your diaphragm spasms, causing an inhale that’s abruptly stopped by the glottis (part of the larynx). The diaphragm is partially controlled by the vagus and phrenic nerves, which can be stimulated by excitement, nervousness, certain meds or stomach distention after a big meal. You might be able to halt them by holding your breath, which ups carbon dioxide levels in the lungs and may relax the diaphragm.
When
to worry: If hiccups last longer than 48 hours, seek medical care to
rule out nerve irritation or a central nervous system problem.
Rumbling in your gut
Rumbling or gurgling that seems to come from your belly is actually the sound of air and fluid as they’re moved by muscles through the digestive tract. If you experience the noise on an empty stomach, it could mean your gut is sweeping out leftover debris—or it’s a cue that it’s mealtime. “When you’re hungry, your brain sends a signal to your intestines that can stimulate the same activity,” Dr. Gruss says.
Rumbling or gurgling that seems to come from your belly is actually the sound of air and fluid as they’re moved by muscles through the digestive tract. If you experience the noise on an empty stomach, it could mean your gut is sweeping out leftover debris—or it’s a cue that it’s mealtime. “When you’re hungry, your brain sends a signal to your intestines that can stimulate the same activity,” Dr. Gruss says.
When
to worry: Experiencing high-pitched noises (with pain, cramping or
nausea) but no BMs is a marker of partial bowel obstruction, which may
require surgery.
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