SCIENCE29 - Annoying Body Sounds

I started out thinking I was going to write about the causes of sneezing, yawning, and hiccups.  Pat and I had discussed this as a potential blog topic, and it looked like a “go.”  But things quickly got out of hand:  I kept adding items to the list (my curiosity is unlimited), to include such physiological “disturbances” as coughing, belching, flatulence, stomach growling, snoring, creaking joints, and ringing ears (tinnitus).  When I looked at the expanded list, I realized that these bodily disturbances had such diverse causes as involuntary reflexes, buildup of gas, restricted air flow through the nose or mouth, rubbing of tendons and ligaments, hunger, and damage to the inner ear’s hair cells. 

The only thing these 10 “afflictions” had in common is that they all produced sounds that were annoying (to the producer of the sound, nearby listener, or both).  Hence the title of this blog: “Annoying Body Sounds.”

Full disclosure, I “suffer” from 8 out of 10 of these afflictions. But thankfully, even though it can be embarrassing, annoying or even worrisome, this organic symphony is perfectly normal most of the time.

For each affliction, I will discuss the causes, potential home remedies, and when to see a doctor.  I will include accepted medical advice for home remedies, but I will not discuss medications.

As usual, I will list my principal sources at the end.

 

Sneezing

Sneezing is a reflex that expels irritants from the nose and sinuses with a forceful and sometimes loud burst of air.  The nasal passages trap irritants in mucus, and a sneeze forcibly clears this mucus. 

 

Before you sneeze, you typically feel a tickle or tingle in your nose, which is the signal that an irritant has triggered your body's protective reflex. The nerves send a message to the "sneeze center" in your brainstem.  Your brain coordinates a response that makes you take a deep breath, tightening muscles in your chest and abdomen.  This builds up the necessary pressure.

Causes: When you sneeze with a cold or flu, you expel a forceful spray of air, mucus, and a vast number of tiny droplets containing viruses. 

Allergens are a common cause of sneezing. The immune system overreacts to substances, such as pollen (hay fever), pet dander, dust mites, and mold, releasing chemicals like histamine that trigger sneezing.

Another common cause of sneezing are substances in the air like smoke, dust, air pollution, and strong odors from perfumes or cleaning chemicals. 

Sudden exposure to cold air can stimulate the nerves in your nose, causing a sneeze.  Low humidity can dry out your nasal passages, making them more sensitive and prone to irritation.  Inflammation from a sinus infection can lead to sneezing, along with nasal congestion and facial pressure.  Certain nasal sprays and other medications can have sneezing as a side effect.  A genetic condition causes some people to sneeze when exposed to bright light, especially sunlight.

Less common sneeze triggers include:  eating spicy food, and strong emotions and stress.  In some cases, the parasympathetic nervous system can be activated during sexual arousal, triggering a sneeze. 

Excessive sneezing may be a sign of rhinitis - inflammation or irritation of your nasal cavity lining causing symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, and itching.  Usually, however, there’s nothing to be worried about; sneezing is rarely a sign of a serious problem.

According to Guinness World Records, the longest sneezing fit is 976 days.  Briton Donna Griffiths started sneezing on 13 January 1981.  She sneezed an estimated million times in the first 365 days (114 times per hour) and achieved her first sneeze-free day on 16 September 1983.  

Home Remedies: Keep a clean, dust-free environment to reduce sneezes.  Dirty furnaces, animal dander, unwashed sheets, and clogged air filters can all contribute to sneezing.  A mug of nettle tea, may alleviate congestion.  Finally, you might literally pinch under your nose to squeeze one of the nerves responsible for triggering sneezes.

When to See a Doctor: If your sneezing is frequent, severe, or consistently interfering with your  daily life, you should consult a doctor who can perform tests to pinpoint the exact cause and recommend the most effective treatment plan. 

 

 Coughing

Coughing is a reflex to clear airways of irritants or mucus.  An irritant stimulates nerves that send a message to your brain.  The brain then tells muscles in your chest and stomach area to push air out of your lungs to force out the irritant.

Causes: Viral infections like the common cold, flu, and COVID-19 are very common causes.  Bacterial infections like bronchitis and pneumonia can also lead to coughing. 

Exposure to allergens like pollen or dust, as well as irritants such as smoke, pollution, and strong chemicals, can trigger a cough.  Asthma can cause coughing, often accompanied by wheezing or shortness of breath.  Excess mucus from allergies or a sinus infection can drip down the back of your throat (postnasal drip), causing a persistent cough.  Clearing one’s throat (another sound) frequently accompanies post nasal drip.

Stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux) can irritate the throat and lead to coughing. 

"Smoker's cough" is a common result of the lungs trying to expel chemicals from tobacco smoke. 

At times, coughing can be very forceful.  Strong coughing that lasts a long time (chronic coughing) can irritate the lungs and cause even more coughing.  A chronic cough is a cough that lasts eight weeks or longer in adults, or four weeks in children.  A chronic cough is more than just annoying; it can interrupt your sleep and leave you feeling very tired.  Severe cases of chronic cough can cause vomiting and lightheadedness, and even break a rib.  Fortunately, a chronic cough usually goes away once the underlying issue is treated.

 

Home Remedies:  A teaspoon of honey can soothe an irritated throat and may help calm a cough.  (You can also mix honey with warm water or herbal tea.)  Drink plenty of warm liquids such as herbal tea, clear broths, or warm lemon water.  These help to hydrate you, thin mucus, and soothe your throat.  A saltwater gargle can help temporarily relieve a scratchy throat and loosen mucus. (Dissolve 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water and gargle.) 

Using a cool-mist humidifier can moisten the air, which helps to loosen mucus and soothe irritated airways, especially if the air is dry.  Breathing in steam from a hot shower or a bowl of hot water can help loosen and thin mucus.  Try to avoid exposure to smoke, dust, and other strong odors, as these can worsen your cough.  Getting plenty of rest is crucial, as it gives your body time to heal.  Propping your head up with extra pillows at night can help reduce coughing caused by postnasal drip. 

People who cough loudly don't go to the doctor...They go to the movies.

When To See a Doctor: While most coughs clear up on their own, you should see a doctor if you experience a persistent cough (lasting over 3-8 weeks); or if it's accompanied by concerning symptoms like difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain when breathing; fever; confusion, dizziness, or lightheadedness; or coughing up yellow, green, or bloody mucus.

 

Hiccups

Hiccups are a reflex that produces repeated sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm (the primary muscle for breathing, located at the base of the chest cavity), followed by the quick closure of the vocal cords, creating a "hic" sound.  Nerves in the chest are triggered by discomfort, causing the diaphragm to contract rapidly and forcefully. 

Causes: Eating or drinking too quickly, eating too much, carbonated drinks, alcohol, stress, excitement, lack of sleep, or sudden temperature changes can cause hiccups.  Often the source is unknown.  The reason why we need hiccups has long baffled scientists.

A farmer from Iowa hiccupped continually for more than 60 years and never found out why.

Occasionally, chronic hiccups can be a sign of disease - for example neck tumors, or laryngitis.  Persistent hiccups may be indicative of unseen complications, including acid reflux disease, a heart attack or stroke, pneumonia or, in the rarest of cases, cancer.

Home Remedies: While hiccups aren’t harmful, they’re certainly exasperating.  For quick relief, stir a teaspoon of honey into warm water and swallow.  Honey could potentially tickle the vagus nerve to make the hiccups stop.  Dill has a similar effect, while simply finding a way to relax - whether it’s lying down on a bed. or doing a fast meditation may ease those crazy-making spasms.

Other potential home remedies include holding your breath or breathing into a paper bag to interrupt the respiratory cycle, drinking a glass of water, or swallowing a teaspoon of sugar.  Drawing your knees to your chest can also help. 

Lifestyle changes that may help include slowing down when eating and drinking, chewing food thoroughly, and avoiding gulping.  Don't drink from a straw, chew gum, or consume carbonated or very hot and cold beverages.  Limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking, and avoiding getting overly full could help. Finally, practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation, could reduce stress as a trigger. 

 

When to See a Doctor: You should call doctor if hiccups last more than 48 hours.

 

Yawning

Yawning is a reflex characterized by a deep inhalation (usually with the mouth stretched wide open) and a slow exhalation, often associated with being tired or bored.  While the exact purpose is debated, it is linked to brain state changes.  Sounds that accompany yawning result from several physiological actions, including air moving through the throat, pressure changes in the middle ear, and muscles contracting.  People often vocalize intentionally during a yawn - sometimes in an annoying manner. 

Causes: The primary causes of yawning are believed to be fatigue, lack of sleep, anxiety, depression, or a change in brain state.

The conventional view is that when our body is short of oxygen, for example because we’re so tired that we’re breathing slowly, the yawn reflex is triggered to make us draw in more air.  But a recent study has shown that low blood oxygen doesn’t actually prompt yawning. 

According to another study, yawning works to cool down our brains and help us think a little clearer.  Like any computer, the brain has an optimal working temperature and when it becomes too hot, yawning helps cool it down, increasing both the heart rate and blood flow while delivering a big gulp of air to the head, cooling the blood in that area.

Why, then, do we yawn when we’re tired, you might ask?  Sleep deprivation and exhaustion are both known to increase brain temperature. 

But why do we yawn when other people do?  Many animal species yawn, but only humans, chimpanzees and macaque monkeys exhibit contagious yawning.  The latest studies suggest that it’s to do with our sense of empathy.  Yawning may have developed among higher animals, scientists theorize, as a social signal that indicated tiredness or stress, so that sleeping and watchfulness could be coordinated.  In the highest primates it became so strongly ingrained into our watchfulness for others that it became a symptom of our empathy.

These theories don’t explain one of the strangest yawning phenomena of all - that many people report a really good yawn being like a “mini-orgasm.”  Yawning causing orgasm has occurred in people suffering from heroin withdrawal and those on some antidepressant drugs. 

Yawning feels good, it aerates the mind.” - Alain Bremond-Torrent.

Home Remedies: An occasional case of the yawns can potentially be remedied by snacking on cooling foods such as watermelon, cucumbers, or celery, which may turn down the heat in your head.  Additionally, avoid hot environments, stretch your legs with a walk, and fill up your favorite water bottle.  Hydration almost always guarantees rejuvenation; it also helps regulate overall body temperature.

When to See a Doctor:  You should see a doctor for excessive yawning if it's frequent, disruptive, or accompanied by other symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness.  It is especially important to seek medical advice if you experience a sudden increase in yawning, have concerns about a new medication, or have a history of neurological or heart conditions. 

 

Belching

Belching (or burping) is caused by swallowing excess air or by gas produced during digestion, which is then suddenly released from the stomach through the mouth.  Belching sounds vary widely in volume, pitch, and timbre, depending on the amount and speed of gas expelled, and the individual's anatomy. The noise is created by the vibration of the esophagus and pharyngeal structures as pressurized air from the stomach or esophagus is released.  It may seem offensive, but belching is an inevitable part of being human.  A small amount of belching each day is normal.

 

In India, Turkey, China, and some South Indian communities, burping after a meal is often interpreted as a sign that you’ve thoroughly enjoyed the food.  It’s an audible form of appreciation and a compliment to the cook.

Causes: The most common causes are swallowing air while eating, drinking, or talking too quickly.  Other common causes include consuming carbonated beverages, chewing gum, sucking on hard candy, smoking, eating certain gassy foods, and wearing poorly fitting dentures that can lead to increased air swallowing and improper chewing, which disrupts the digestive process.

Drinks like soda and sparkling water contain carbon dioxide gas, which is released in the stomach and leads to burping. 

Some foods can cause gas as they are digested, including beans, cabbage, lentils, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, garlic, whole grains, and dairy products.  These foods can cause burping, and the two afflictions that follow:  flatulence and stomach growling, so I will not repeat this long list of food gas producers.

While less common, frequent, or excessive burping can be a symptom of conditions like GERD (acid reflux), gastritis, or other digestive disorders.  When stomach acid splashes back up into the esophagus, people start subconsciously doing air swallows to try to get those contents back down.  Other causes might include a swallowing problem, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, or a stomach ulcer.

Home Remedies: Eat and drink more slowly, avoid chewing gum and sucking on hard candies, limit or avoid carbonated drinks, and identify and reduce consumption of gas-producing foods.  Also, upping your intake of non-alcoholic and non-carbonated drinks, may reduce the need to belch.  Just be sure to consume your beverages straight from the glass; drinking from a straw may cause you to swallow excess air as well.  It may also be beneficial to get up and move around after eating, as a short walk can aid digestion.

Sometimes after a heavy meal, when I feel bloated, in private I swig a couple of mouthfuls of a carbonated drink that produces an immediate belch that relieves my discomfort.

When to See a Doctor: Most of the time, belching isn’t a major issue.  You should reach out to a doctor if the belching doesn’t stop, or if you develop other symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, weakness, regurgitation or vomiting, or diarrhea.

 

Flatulence

Flatulence is passing gas from the digestive system out of the anus.  Sounds associated with flatulence can vary from a loud "pfft" to a silent release, and are caused by the vibration of the anal sphincter as gas passes through.

 

Causes: Gas buildup and resulting flatulence is caused by two main processes: swallowing air and the fermentation of food by gut bacteria.  When these gases, like nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen, accumulate, they are eventually expelled from the body as flatulence.  The notorious smell is often due to sulfur compounds produced during bacterial fermentation.

When you swallow food, water, or saliva, you also swallow small amounts of air. This collects in the digestive system.  Swallowing air while eating quickly, chewing gum, drinking carbonated beverages, or talking during meals can lead to a buildup of gas in the digestive system.  The body needs to get rid of the build-up via flatulence or burping.  The gas from swallowing air is primarily nitrogen and oxygen. 

Bacteria in the large intestine help break down food, especially carbohydrates, that were not fully digested in the small intestine.  This process, called fermentation, produces gases like hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane, which are odorless.  Sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, are also produced during this process and are the source of the distinct smell of flatulence. 

Gas-producing foods are a common cause of flatulence.

Conditions like lactose intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome can make people more prone to gas because their bodies have difficulty digesting certain foods.

Some medicines like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, statins and some laxatives can cause flatulence.

Changes in hormone levels, like increased progesterone during pregnancy, can slow digestion and lead to more gas.  Aging can also affect the digestive muscles and reduce their tone, slowing the movement of food. 

Flatulence is a normal process and something everyone experiences regularly.

Home Remedies: Do not chew gum, smoke, or suck on pen tops or hard sweets to avoid swallowing excess air; chew food slowly with your mouth closed; eat smaller meals more often; do not eat lots of foods that are difficult to digest; do not eat lots of foods containing sorbitol (a sweetener) and fructose (a sugar) as these can cause flatulence; and  eat foods that are easy to digest like rice, bananas, citrus fruits, and potatoes.

Drink slowly. do not drink lots of fizzy drinks and hot drinks, do not drink too much beer, wine, or fruit juice.

Other home remedies include exercising regularly to improve digestion, drinking peppermint tea, and not wearing loose-fitting dentures.

When to See a Doctor: When flatulence is affecting your life and self-help and pharmacy treatments haven’t worked; you have a stomach ache or bloating that won’t go away or comes back; you keep getting constipation or diarrhea; you have lost weight without trying; you’ve had blood in your poo for 3 weeks; you have signs of an infection like a high temperature, vomiting, chills, joint pain and muscle pain; or you’re unable to control your bowel movements (involuntary pooing).

 

Stomach Growling

Your stomach growls due to the muscular contractions that move food, liquids, and gas through your digestive system.  The walls of your intestines contract and relax in a wave-like motion to move contents along the digestive tract.  This movement of food, liquid, and gas through the hollow intestines creates sounds.  The sounds are usually continuous, but they are more noticeable when your stomach is empty because food acts as a sound absorber. 

 

Causes: Growling is commonly associated with hunger.  The process of digesting gas-producing foods can lead to considerable noise

Talking, eating, or drinking too quickly can cause you to swallow more air, which adds to the gurgling sounds. 

Hormones related to hunger trigger the contractions of the muscles in the digestive system, leading to more pronounced growling. 

Anxiety or high levels of short-term stress can trigger rumbling and slow gastric emptying (the process of your stomach sending food into the intestines), stalling the digestion process, and keeping your stomach rumbling

Home Remedies: Besides the obvious: eating, you also can tone down the growling by avoiding gum (which, like eating too fast, may lead you to swallow too much air), sugar-free candies, and greasy, gas-inducing foods.  You might also want to curb your intake of coffee, which may increase the acidity in your stomach and result in some serious roaring.

Walking and other stress-reducing activities are great for growling stomachs.

My stomach just made a noise that sounded suspiciously like "feed me.”

When to See a Doctor: Although perfectly normal - especially if you’ve gone hours without eating, or are digesting a meal - there are a few occasions when that thunder in your tummy might be symptomatic of a more serious problem, such as mechanical bowel obstruction, a food allergy, or blocked blood vessels (which may be preventing the intestines from getting proper blood flow).

Unusually loud growling accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, constipation, or pain could indicate an underlying issue, such as irritable bowel syndrome or an intestinal blockage. 

 

 Snoring

Snoring is the rattling, snorting, or grumbling sound some people make during sleep.  It happens when there’s an obstruction in your airway.  Snoring is common (and normal) for many people.  Nearly everyone snores at some point, including babies and young children.

When you breathe, you push air through your nose, mouth, and throat.  A blockage in your airway can cause these tissues to vibrate against each other as air moves through your soft palate (the back of the roof of your mouth), tonsils, adenoids, and tongue. The vibrations can make a rumbling, rattling noise that is sometimes annoying to a sleeping partner.

 

Causes: Several different factors can cause airway blockage.  When you sleep, your throat muscles and tongue can relax and fall backward, narrowing your airway. 

Snoring is more common as we age because muscle tone decreases, causing our airways to shrink.  Beverages containing alcohol and certain medications relax your muscles, restricting airflow through your nose, mouth, and throat.  Enlarged adenoids, big tonsils, nasal polyps, or a large tongue can make it hard for air to flow through your nose and mouth.  A deviated septum (when the cartilage that separates your nostrils is off-center) can also block the flow of air.

Snoring is more common in men.  Snoring runs in families. If you have a biological parent who snores, you’re more likely to snore, too.

Nasal congestion due to allergies and the common cold blocks airflow through your mouth and nose.  Pregnancy can also cause snoring due to hormonal changes. 

Snoring and sleep-related breathing disorders are more common in people who are overweight and may have fat deposits around the neck that can narrow the airway.  

Sleeping on your back allows gravity to pull your tongue and soft palate backward, which can narrow the airway. 

Other causes can include hormonal changes (like during pregnancy), smoking, and even certain sleep deprivation. 

Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone. - Anthony Burgess

When to see a Doctor: Snoring isn’t necessarily bad.  Most of us snore at some point during our lives. But it’s time to see a healthcare provider if you snore loudly, or if snoring disrupts your (or your bedmate’s) sleep quality.

If you experience symptoms like excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, or high blood pressure, it's best to consult a doctor to determine the cause. 

Loud, jarring snoring may indicate a more serious condition called sleep apnea - that causes you to repeatedly pause breathing during sleep.  If snoring occurs in combination with gasping for air in your sleep, and other symptoms like fatigue or irritability, then you should talk to a doctor.

 

Creaky Joints

Hearing a “pop” or crack from our joints is very common, especially as we age, and typically, there is no need to worry. 

Causes: The cartilage that cushions our bones rubs across a joint surface or other soft tissues that support, connect and protect structures, such as tendons, ligaments, muscles, and blood vessels.  As we age, cartilage becomes less smooth.  This causes bones and tissues to rub together as we move, making our joints creak or pop. 

Also, the synovial fluid that lubricates our joints contains dissolved gases.  When a joint is stretched, the pressure changes, forming and then popping, gas bubbles, which creates the cracking sound.  Ligaments and tendons can snap or pop as they move back into their correct position after being stretched over a bony surface. 

 

A common medical cause of painful creaking is osteoarthritis, where cartilage wears down, leading to bones rubbing against each other. Other diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and gout, can also cause joint noises. 

Inflammation of a tendon can cause a thickening of its sheath, leading to a grating or crackling sound as it moves over other tissues. 

A torn ligament or tendon, or a broken or dislocated bone, can be the cause of a loud crack that is followed by pain. 

A deficiency in vitamins like B12 and D, or a lack of calcium, can lead to less dense bones, potentially making joints more prone to creaking. 

“I'm not old. I woke up.  I lifted my arms. I moved my knees. I turned my neck...everything made the same noise: 'CRRRRRRAAAAACCCCCKKKKK!'...I came to conclusion: I'm not old, I'm crispy!”

Home Remedies: Regular movement, like cycling, walking, and swimming, helps lubricate your joints and can reduce stiffness and noise.  Low-impact exercises like strength training, stretching, and balance exercises can strengthen the muscles around your joints, providing better support.  If you are overweight, losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce the stress on your joints. 

When to See a Doctor: If your joints creak along with pain or swelling, or if the noise is frequent, persistent, or came on suddenly after an injury, it's best to consult a doctor to rule out underlying medical conditions. 

 

Ringing Ears

Tinnitus is the term doctors use when you hear ringing, buzzing, hissing, or roaring noises in your ears.  The ringing is often a symptom of an underlying issue and can be a sign of the brain trying to compensate for a lack of external sound input.  (This is the only annoying sound on the list that affects only you.)

 

Causes: Tinnitus can be cause by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear from loud sounds, making them send signals to the brain to hear sounds that are not really there.

As you age, hearing can decline, damaging hair cells, and this often comes with a ringing sensation.  Infections, sinus issues, or allergies can cause fluid and pressure buildup in the middle ear, leading to ringing.  A buildup of earwax can block the ear canal, causing a change in hearing and tinnitus. 

While not a direct physical cause, stress and anxiety can trigger or worsen tinnitus. 

Medical causes include head and neck injuries that can damage the auditory processing areas of the brain or the inner ear, leading to tinnitus;  Ménière's disease, an inner ear disorder that can cause tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss; conditions like high blood pressure, blockages in blood vessels, or turbulent blood flow that can cause pulsatile tinnitus (a rhythmic ringing or whooshing); jaw joint problems resulting from grinding your teeth that sometimes cause or worsen ear ringing; anemia; multiple sclerosis; or certain tumors. 

Certain drugs that damage the ear can cause tinnitus.  Common culprits include ACE inhibitors, prescribed to control high blood pressure; Lasix diuretics; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications; some antibiotics; and sertraline, a commonly prescribed antidepressant.

Home Remedies: While there is no single cure for most types of tinnitus, several home remedies and lifestyle adjustments can help manage symptoms and reduce their impact on daily life. 

Avoiding total silence is a key strategy.  Background sound helps distract your brain from the internal noise, making the tinnitus less noticeable.  Use a fan, air conditioner, or a low-volume radio static.  Play soft music or nature sounds (like ocean waves or rainfall).  Numerous apps offer customizable soundscapes to help you find what works best.

Manage stress by practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or guided imagery.  Yoga or tai chi can help release tension and promote relaxation.  Consider Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help reframe negative thought patterns associated with tinnitus.

Improve sleep hygiene.  Fatigue often makes symptoms worse.  Maintain a consistent sleep schedule.  Ensure your bedroom is dark, cool, and quiet (except for a potential low-volume sound machine).  Avoid electronic screens, heavy food, alcohol, and exercise close to bedtime.

Limit Irritants.  Substances like caffeine, nicotine/tobacco, alcohol, and high-salt foods can affect blood flow and nerve activity in the ear. Experiment to see if reducing them helps your specific symptoms.

Physical activity improves overall blood flow to the structures of the ear and can help manage stress.

Protect your hearing.  Wear earplugs or earmuffs when in noisy environments like concerts, when using power tools, or mowing the lawn.  Keep the volume on headphones/earbuds at a safe level.

Sharing experiences and coping strategies with others who have tinnitus can help you feel less alone and manage the emotional impact of the condition. 

Correcting deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin D and magnesium, may help.  Consult a doctor before starting new supplements.

Dear Brain.  Please shut up!

When to See a Doctor: You should see a doctor for tinnitus if it's in only one ear; comes on suddenly; is accompanied by hearing loss, dizziness, or other neurological symptoms like facial numbness; or if it is significantly impacting your quality of life.  It's also important to seek medical attention for symptoms like a pulsing sound that matches your heartbeat or if you experience ear discharge. 

 

Sources

My principal sources include: “Why we yawn, hiccup, and sneeze,” thetimes.com; “Yawns, Hiccups, Burps & More: What Body Sounds Say About Your Health,” vitacost.com; “Snoring: Causes, Remedies & Prevention,” and “Belching: Causes, Treatment & When to See a Doctor,” my.clevelandclinic.org; “Farting / NHS inform,” nhsinform.scot; “Understanding Body Noises,” rush.edu plus, numerous other online sources, including answers to many queries using Google in AI Mode.