Deconstructing the Sneeze, Decoding the Yawn… and More the Miracles of the Human Body Are on Shivers and Yawns

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News to enrich your lifestyle Winter 2014 Deconstructing the Sneeze, Decoding the Yawn… and More The miracles of the human body are on Shivers and yawns. hearing the national anthem – goose bumps are continual display each day. Even involuntary The brain is constantly monitoring, responding a physiological reaction to both emotion and actions, such as sneezing and shivering, help and adjusting to stimuli. Shivering and yawn- cold temperature. They result from a contrac- our bodies function optimally. ing are two automatic and subconscious tion of muscles attached to your hair follicles, regulatory body functions controlled by the creating a shallow dimple on the skin surface The big sneeze. brain. When the surface of the skin gets chilled, and making the hair on your head, arms and Every time we breathe receptors send signals to the brain, which legs literally stand on end. This gives your skin in foreign particles, activates the body’s warming reflexes. Shivers a strong resemblance to that of plucked poultry. sensors in our noses occur when the muscles in your arms, legs and Caused by the subconscious release of the and sinuses detect this, jaw contract and expand quickly. As one of stress hormone, adrenaline, add goose bumps and signal the cilia nature’s best defenses against hypothermia, to the sweaty palms, trembling hands and (hairlike structures that shivering is the body’s way of producing heat stomach butterflies many experience during line the nostrils) to within the skeletal muscles in order to maintain strong emotions. sweep mucus and a core temperature of 98.6°F. trapped debris upward Hiccups. to be eliminated. We Surprisingly, the true function of yawning might Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the constantly produce also be to maintain correct temperature in the diaphragm that occur when the vagus nerve, mucus – about four cups a day on average. brain, not to get more oxygen, as previously which runs from brain to abdomen, becomes The mucus is either swallowed, pushed out assumed. The human brain works hard, and irritated. There are many causes, from digestive through the lungs, or sneezed out. The sneeze tends to heat up more than other organs, disturbances to sudden excitement. As you produces a burst of air which neatly clears the according to Smithsonian Magazine. When you inhale with each spasm, the opening that per- nasal passages, almost like pressing the reset yawn, the gulp of air produced travels up to the mits air to pass through the voice box snaps button on your computer. For almost 16 mil- nasal and oral cavities, and increases the rate of shut, creating the characteristic “hic.” From the lion Americans with chronic sinusitis, however, blood flow to the skull; inhaling at the same time literally hundreds of home remedies suggested the mucus is the problem. As reported in the brings cooler blood to the brain. This explains for eliminating hiccups, the NY Times recom- Journal of the Federation of American Societies why we yawn more frequently at bedtime or mends: taking a deep breath and holding it, for Experimental Biology, researchers discov- upon awakening, as brain temperatures are gargling with ice water, putting pressure on the ered that people with chronic sinus issues are highest before falling asleep, decline during the eyeballs, or the tried-and-true method of breath- not able to ‘reboot’ and clear the mucus from night, and rise rapidly in the morning. ing in and out of a paper bag. Mayo Clinic their nose, causing them to sneeze more often, Goose bumps. recommends contacting your physician if you with ineffective results. Post-nasal drip occurs Triggered by a variety of unrelated events – from have hiccups consistently for more than 48 hours. from the additional mucus, which drips the chill you feel after leaving warm water Don’t take them for granted: however common, continuously down the nose or throat of sinus or when entering an overly-air-conditioned each yawn, sneeze, shiver, goose bump and sufferers, according to Harvard Health Watch. restaurant, to watching a horror movie, or even hiccup represents a small medical marvel.

From the desk of Uday Jani, MD, FACP

Dear Patient: The human body is really a medical marvel…its everyday functions are ingeniously engineered for optimal performance. Each sneeze, yawn and hiccup has a purpose, as explained in this issue of HealthWise. We also examine some of the intriguing theories surrounding our increasingly allergic population. It’s impossible to miss how wide- Uday Jani, MD, FACP spread this has become, but the ‘why’ continues to be a challenging Board Certified in Internal Medicine and fascinating topic being researched. You’ll also find the latest Fellowship Trained in Integrative Medicine information on how to reap the many health benefits of incorporating yogurt into your daily 28312 Lewes diet, making it a great addition to your list of healthy resolutions for the new year. Georgetown Highway My resolution? Ensuring that your body is performing those medical marvels, large and small, Milton, Delaware 19968 each day, to keep you in the best health possible. Phone: 302.684.0990 Happy New Year! Fax: 302.684.0991 Uday Jani, MD Website: www.udayjanimd.com Not Your Imagination: Food Allergies Are On The Rise Peanut-free tables in school cafeterias, grade compared to southern, where people spend respiratory reactions requiring emergency schoolers armed with EpiPens…it is impossi- more time outside, reports Pacific Standard treatment. Experts advise you to be aware that ble to miss the signs of almost 15 million Magazine. although most food allergies start in child- Americans who cope with increasingly preva- The Environment Hypothesis – The overall hood, they can develop at any time in a person’s lent food allergies. According to the Centers for role of environment is key, say researchers in life, even to foods previously eaten with no Disease Control and Prevention, between 1997 the relatively new field of epigenetics, who problem. If you or a family member are and 2011 a significant spike occurred in Amer- experiencing symptoms, please consult your ican children, with one in every 13 now affected personal physician. by food allergies. Scientists and physicians are working to discover the reasons behind the change. While there is no single answer, several Not a Food Allergy, Celiac credible theories are being considered. Disease is also on the Increase Hygiene Hypothesis – Multiple studies show There is good reason for the preponderance that children raised on farms are less likely to of gluten-free foods lining supermarket have allergies. Researchers believe exposure to shelves and appearing on restaurant menus. animals and various microbes at a young age Sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in actually strengthens the immune system, wheat, impacts more than six million according to the American College of Allergy, adults – four times more common than it Asthma and Immunology. Children raised in was 60 years ago. Modern varieties of wheat overly hygienic homes, who overuse antibac- have been pinpointed as the reason celiac terial soaps, no longer have to fend off “bugs” claim that while genetics definitely predispose disease, an abnormal immune reaction to and infections. Therefore, their immune an individual to allergies (children of allergic gluten, has quadrupled since 1950. Others systems overreact to things that should be parents have an 85 percent chance of develop- disagree, citing studies that show no signifi- harmless, such as wheat or peanuts. ing some kind of allergy themselves), it does cant differences in gluten levels in wheat not explain their recent rise. They are finding from the early part of the 20th century. Microbiota Hypothesis – This takes the hygiene that environment can modify an individual’s Rather, they attribute the increased preva- hypothesis a step further by proposing that use genetic makeup, and these modified genes can lence of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity of antibiotics and fluoridated water are killing be passed on from one generation to the next. to the not yet fully understood dynamics off good bacteria in the intestinal tract, making triggering other food sensitivities. it more difficult for the good germs to fight off The Good News – Of the eight foods that “Whatever has happened with celiac disease the bad germs (Nature Magazine, May 2012). account for 90 percent of all allergic reactions – has happened since 1950,” affirms Mayo Evidence continues to mount indicating that milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish Clinic gastroenterologist Joseph Murray, MD, children who are given antibiotics early in life and shellfish – several may be outgrown by age whose recent study involving frozen blood are more likely to have food allergies. 16. The majority of allergies to eggs, milk, soy samples of Air Force recruits from the early and wheat diminish as children mature; only Vitamin D Hypothesis – Another theory points 1950s clearly showed that today’s young men peanuts, fish and shellfish appear to be lifelong to a lack of Vitamin D, as more time is spent were 4.5 times likelier to have celiac disease. allergens (Food Allergy Research and Education). indoors and more sunscreen is used when “It suggests something has happened in a outside. Vitamin D deficiency has increased in Strict avoidance of a food allergen is strongly pervasive fashion from the environmental the past 15 to 20 years, and there is a noticeable recommended, as even trace amounts can perspective.” increase in allergies in northern climates trigger severe skin, gastrointestinal and

as full-fat Greek yogurt often contains Nutrition Corner up to 16 grams of saturated fat, almost all of the daily allowance based on a 2,000-calorie diet. How should consumers make smart choices when attempting to sift The New Yogurt Culture through the literally dozens of yogurts Yogurt is recognized as a solid nutritional choice that delivers multiple on the market today? First, be aware benefits with each spoonful. It is made from pasteurized milk that that not all yogurt contains the bene- has been fermented, and contains active cultures known as probiotics. ficial live and active cultures. Some Probiotics are live microbial food ingredients that, when ingested in brands are heat-treated to increase sufficient quantities, provide notable health benefits. These living the shelf-life and decrease tartness, which kills off the good bacteria. organisms have been recognized for centuries for their potential in For that reason, opt for those labeled with the “Live & Active Cultures” fighting yeast infections, boosting the body’s immune system and seal. Established by the National Yogurt Association, the seal guaran- possibly preventing certain types of cancer. Particularly important as tees specific minimum levels are present at time of manufacture – at we age, adding probiotics to the diet repopulates the intestinal track least 100 million cultures per gram for regular yogurt, and at least 10 with beneficial bacteria that protect against infection-causing toxins. million for frozen. While the program is voluntary, and not monitored In addition, yogurt offers plentiful calcium, potassium, protein, zinc, by the FDA, many manufacturers seek to earn the seal as proof that vitamins B6 and B12. buyers will receive the full health attributes of their yogurt product. Greek yogurt adds even more to the full plate of benefits. In most Greek Additionally, aim for a brand that includes at least 15 percent of the daily varieties, much of the liquid whey, lactose and sugar found in traditional calcium requirement. Beware of additions like hydrogenated oils and yogurts is strained out, giving this yogurt a thicker, creamier texture artificial sweeteners. Finally, keep the calories down by skipping top- while being lower in sugar, carbohydrates and sodium. Greek yogurt pings and avoid yogurts that list sugar as the first or second ingredient. also contains twice the protein content of regular yogurt, helping to Be sure and stock up on your healthy choices. A Harvard School of promote a feeling of fullness when eaten. A typical six-ounce serving Public Health study that followed more than 120,000 people over the provides 15 to 20 grams of protein, an amount equivalent to two to three course of two decades showed that yogurt, among all foods, was most ounces of lean meat. The richer taste makes it a satisfying substitute for strongly correlated with weight loss. That’s why yogurt remains a more fattening ingredients such as cream cheese, mayonnaise, butter, superfood mainstay – an easy-to-swallow way to fight infection, ingest sour cream or oil. The only caution: opt for low fat or fat free varieties, nutrients and control weight.