Experts share commonly informative “rule of thumb” bodily mechanisms and when you should seek professional care if a problem occurs.
Ever wondered why you have earwax and why you fart?
These bodily functions may seem crude, but they are actually beneficial in maintaining overall health. is.
To provide more insight into the body’s mechanisms that induce the most common disgust, we spoke with some doctors about what you might notice and why it happens. Here’s what you should know:
1. earwax
If you have a feeling of stuffiness in your ears, it may be due to a buildup of earwax, also known as earwax. is.
“Earwax is not only normal, it’s necessary. It protects the ear from dust, hair, small bugs and anything else that can damage the eardrum.”Dr. Jacqueline RailsbackphysicianCleveland Clinic Florida Weston Hospital.
Certain factors that affect earwax volume include previous ear surgery or trauma, recurring ear infections, and wearing hearing aids or deep earplugs.
“Most of the time, it’s best to leave earwax alone, unless you have a serious condition such as hearing loss or an infection,” says Railsback.
2. Leaky nipples
Not everyone has leaky nipples, but anyone who has just had a baby can experience this phenomenon.
“In the early stages of breastfeeding, your body wants too much milk rather than not enough.Dr. Whitney CasaresFounder and CEO ofmodern mama scrub“As your body balances supply and demand between you and your baby, all that extra breast milk can get messy, leaking nipples and wet shirts.”
Leaking nipples are a normal part of the breastfeeding process and a clear sign of high milk supply for those who are breastfeeding. , a doctor should be consulted to rule out an underlying condition.
3. Flatulence
Passing gas can be embarrassing and disgusting, but it’s a natural result of the digestive process.
“This is how the body expels both swallowed air and undigested food fermentation by-products,” he said.Dr. Brett MendelGastroenterologist and Everlywell Advisor.
The amount and frequency of flatulence varies greatly between individuals and can be influenced by diet, activity level, antibiotic use, and even altitude.
Additionally, farting may indicate that your diet is high in fiber, which may indicate improved gut health and microbiome. It helps prevent unwanted stomach pain and bloating caused by it.
Farting is normal, but too much may not be a good thing.”Excessive gas leading to bloating and abdominal pain can be a sign of a serious medical condition that you should share with your doctor.” ‘ said Mendel.
according to health line, excessive flatulence is classified as farting more than 20 times a day. This is often caused by a high-fiber diet, but in rare cases it can indicate other problems such as Crohn’s disease or dumping syndrome.
4. Burp
You may have been told not to burp at the dinner table, but sometimes you have to spit it out for your health.
“Berping is the body’s way of expelling excess gas from the stomach, and while it looks awful, it’s a normal bodily function,” Railsback said. “When we swallow food or drink, it passes through the esophagus into the stomach, where stomach acid and digestive enzymes work to break down the food into nutrients and use them for energy, producing gas in the process.”
If you hold back from burping all the time, either because you’re embarrassed or because you don’t want to, you may experience bloating and stomach hyperinflation, which can cause discomfort.
Burping a few times is nothing to worry about, but if it persists, a trip to the hospital is recommended. “Berping is a normal function, but it can be associated with certain conditions such as reflux esophagitis, indigestion, gastritis, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome,” he said Railsback.
5.Birthing
While using the toilet, you may notice a small amount of discharge when you wipe. This clear, jelly-like substance may look unpleasant, but it’s actually a sign of a healthy reproductive system.
“Vaginal discharge is the body’s way of carrying away dead cells and bacteria, keeping the vagina clean and preventing infection,” Casares said.
The discharge is normal, but if the discharge smells fishy, causes itching, or changes color, see a medical professional to rule out an underlying condition or infection Mr. Casares pointed out that there is a need.
6. Mucus
After blowing your nose, you most likely have mucus on the tissue. Mucus is naturally produced by cells in the mouth, throat, nose and sinuses.
“Mucous plays an important role in lubricating and protecting the upper and lower airways,” said Railsback. “Its slippery consistency helps lock in potential irritants because it contains special antibodies and proteins that help fight harmful bacteria that can invade the airways.”
Railsback notes that healthy mucus tends to be thin and clear, but if you’re sick or have other lung conditions, your mucus can become thick and colorful and cause trouble breathing.
7. poop
As the saying goes, “Everybody poops.” It may not smell pleasant, but “bowel movements are the mechanism by which the body removes indigestible material,” Mendel said. is generally accepted.”
according to Bristol Stool Chartcracked “sausage-like” poop, or “smooth, soft sausage- or snake-like” poop types are ideal (types 3 and 4). should be reported to an expert for
Poop is healthy, but changes in bowel movements can be an indicator of overall health. For example, if you have chronic constipation, diarrhea, or blood in your stool, it’s a good idea to see your doctor.
8. Pus
Infections such as staphylococcus (a bacterial infection) and folliculitis (an infection of the hair follicles) can produce pus. It may look like an eyesore, but pus is actually a good thing.
“The white stuff that comes out of an infection, known as pus, is a collection of defensive white blood cells attacking to catch and kill bacteria.”Dr. William Leedoctor and author ofeat to fight disease”
It is normal for pus to come out immediately after the sore is formed, ie, a day or two later. This means that white blood cells are swarming open wounds and working to fight germs and bacteria.
However, if infected, the wound may smell of pus and may be hot. Therefore, go to the doctor as soon as possible to get treatment and get prescribed medicines.