Your jaw pops like a bowl of Rice Krispies—in meetings, at mealtime, during candlelight moments. Is it a joint that needs fixing, or just an annoying sound you can live with? Most body noises, although embarrassing, are harmless, but occasionally they’re a signal that something’s not quite right. Here, we decode what your body is telling you—from top to bottom—and what to do about it.
Snuffling and snorting
Why: You’re congested. The noises are typically the result of mucus that’s blocking the flow of air in your nose, says David Brodner, MD, an ear, nose, and throat specialist in Boca Raton, Fla., and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
What to do: Flushing with a saline rinse can clear excess mucus that comes with a common cold or seasonal allergies, says Melissa Pynnonen, MD, assistant professor of otolaryngology at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. Several brands of saline rinse are available at drugstores, or mix up your own saline with eight ounces of warm water and one-quarter teaspoon salt. Put half of the solution in each nostril using a syringe or nasal spray bottle; it’ll flow out of the opposite nostril. Repeat on the other side, and then blow your nose.
When to get help: See a doctor if your snuffling is accompanied by bleeding or yellow-green drainage, or if the congestion gets worse rather than better after five days, lasts more than 10 days, or is accompanied by headache or facial pain, Dr. Brodner says. You could have a sinus infection, typically treated with antibiotic.
Belching and gurgling
Why: You’ve swallowed excess air, either while eating (soup is a common culprit because air is taken in with each spoonful) or conversing or both. But burps and gurgles can also point to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a common condition that often develops from overeating or pressure on the stomach (up to 50% of pregnant women suffer from it). Stomach acid seeps up into your esophagus, where it can cause heartburn, burping, chest pain, sore throat, hoarseness, bad breath—and, in serious cases, gurgling noises caused by regurgitation of food or acid.
What to do: Well, like your mom said, don’t talk with your mouth full. That can cut back on burping, as can limiting gum-chewing and fizzy beverages. To avoid GERD, eat small, frequent meals, skip foods that worsen the symptoms (like caffeinated drinks, onions, chocolate, and garlic), and nix postmeal naps, says Robert Maisel, MD, professor of otolaryngology at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis. You may also get relief from a nonprescription antacid.
When to get help: If you experience symptoms of GERD more than once a week, particularly at night, visit your doctor. He or she may recommend a prescription antacid or order an endoscopy to rule out esophageal cancer, which can result from untreated GERD. If symptoms worsen, you may need surgery, although this is rare, Dr. Maisel says.
Next page: Growling tummy and passing gas
Comments (39)
The information carried in this article was very well presented.
I have a question : My son ( aged 14) often cracks his fingers and his neck – which results in a noise. We often prevent him from doing so. Is it necessary to help him stop or is it normal?
Thnx
Parthive
I am twelve and I used to crack my fingers as well as some of my friends. Actually, cracking his fingers and neck is a way for your son to evacuate stress, like a twitch. I recommend him to find another way to do so, because it may damage his articulations.
Anaëlle
Im an aspiring personal fitness trainer/image consultant…this information will be very helpful in regards to my career and every day life.
While I’m not an expert I have spent many years popping/cracking various joints Parthive. I’m not yet 35 and there are days I can’t pick up a coffee cup my hands hurt so bad from the arthritis. The cracking caused premature breakdown of the protective tissue in my case. I would definately advise you to try to educate your son on the risks and affects of arthritis while he’s still young enough to stop.
The information was very educational and helpful.I appreciated it very much.
Thank you: Ophilia
This was a bit helpful to me..But my husband has told me as well as my sisters when we go away for our sisterly get aways that when i am sleeping i make a lot of moaning sounds..Is there a reason for that and should i worry about it? I am diabetic and have high blood pressure..
Shirley, I am also a diabetic..I have been woken up by myself making strange noises as you descirbed. I have also been woken by my husband—with a syringe full of glucagon, or a glass of milk, juice etc..It’s almost as if I’m unhappy, crying, or scared about the hypo reaction & still can’t respond to it..maybe try recording yourself @ night ?? Or, have your husband wake you while this is going on..And, TAKE A TEST while you’re awake.. LOL hope this helps !!
I have Juvenile onset Rheumatoid Arthritis and my rheumatologist used to always say… Arthritis is NOT caused by cracking your joints. That’s just air movement… it’s not harmful.
Arthritis can happen for no reason or basic wear and tear on the joints but cracking your fingers as a cause of arthritis is a myth…
I have something called Trigger Finger, What causes this, and is there something That can be done to prevent this from occuring.
now i can better and fully inderstand te poping noises that my knees sometimes makes, as well as the belching ad the awful snoring that my honey makes. I have had athtoroscoipy surgery done to mu upper left extremities, and the noise is funny at times….like popping, and sometimes tearing….thank you for the information…..
Shirley,
I’ve got triger finger too. It is caused by the ligaments that move your finger, at the base of the finger is a sheath that the ligaments move through and this sheath narrows and the ligaments get caught slightly and your finger pops open. This paraphrased. Google “triger finger” more details. It is a weird sensation.
I went to an orthopedic dr and he injected cortosone(?) and it has not locked since, a bit of stiffness now and then. Hope this helps.
Shirley…our physician said they do not know what causes a trigger finger. However it will go away. He was right it, did. Miserable while it is there, thumb locked up extremely stiff and painful. Knowing it will pass is helpful.
About two years ago, I developed a trigger finger (right hand, ring finger). My doctor recommended wearing a wrist brace at night and taking Vitamin
B-6 each morning. She also gave me some hand/finger exercises. I haven’t had a problem since. I do continue to wear the wrist brace at night and take the B-6.
The information in this article is worth reading. I will definitely pass it on to my friends, so they can be benefited with this information.
Thanks
Sohail
the article is very informative. It summarizes everything in a single page. It sets clear the terminology of each issue and will now help me to read more about each of them. Thanks a ton!
There seem to be contradictory messages about cracking knuckles. Does it, or does it not, contribute to arthritis?
check out the nasal remedies
My breathing varies when I am attentive or focussing on something. (most of times for me) Like I hold the breath for long & release in longer gaps with a light sound. Is this a problem I need to verify with the doctor? Any notes on sounds from nose?
Suzanne,What exercises were recommended for trigger finger?
As a registered nurse, I can tell you that cracking your knuckles absolutely DOES NOT CAUSE arthritis. The noise you hear is simply bubbles in the synovial fluid (the liquid that surrounds your joints)popping.
this wasnt helpful. too many people were saying too many different things and i couldnt decide which ones to believe
Good explanations that are easily understood. Thank you.
In responce to Parthive Zaveri when it comes to him cracking is neck he should be careful when doing so. I am not a nurse or anything like that but I use to crack my neck all the time and I ended up wearing the edges of verebre in my neck and now it moves around from time to time causing much pain and at time lose of feeling in one side of my body. The first time it happened my lost all feeling on the right side of my body and ended up in the hospital because of the sever pain and discomfort. So just tell him to be careful with it…
I was just wondering after reading your article… I’m a relatively healthy 32 year old woman. I’ve had my tubes tied for 8 years now, but am experiencing “phantom kicks” almost regularly, with swollen breasts. My family doc says all is normal, my OB isn’t too worried either, but I am as well as my husband. Should I do something?
My stomach always makes noises when I lay down. It doesn’t matter what time it is. It happens when I lay down in bed and when I lay down at the salon when doing my eyebrows. That’s when it gets a little embarassing. I don’t drink before bed and I would have usually had dinner about 3 hours before. So what can I do? What is going on? And should I be running to the doctor?
Maria
I think might have IBS. Is there any known cure for this problem?
Thanks for the information, I found it quite helpful.
Every evening after going to bed, somewhere in the early morning (say 5:30 am) I am unable to continue to sleep because of my stomach walls contracts causing a level of stress on the stomach musle. After am awake and I leave the bed, the stomach pain eases back to normal. Does that have to do with breathing (air flow)because once my mouth is not closed (happens when am sleping)then I am ok. What may be the cause of this condition and what can be done to alleviate this inconvenience?
Imformation given very helpful. Sights that help are welcome in our e-mail. Thanks.
I think it is hilarious that these simpletons write in questions in the comments section as if the writer of the article is actually going to respond.
charlie cluster –
there’s no cure for IBS. however, you can avoid certain foods like dairy or foods that are high in gluten, depending on which you think effects your body. there are also pills to take before you ingest dairy and digestive enzymes you can take after a big meal to help break down foods.
i would suggest going to a nutritionist for a more specific diet that’s right for you.
I’m fifteen years old (just started highschool) and I have a problem with either my gut or bowels. It is very annoying it seems like i have a constant gas feeling and either my bowels or my gut will make noises sometimes. If anyones got any info to help please tell me!
To Happy Jeff I know what you are saying,yes this is a place for comments but you have to remember that it is the comments we place here in Question form to help one another If you read the Questions you will see that they are address to us not the artical lol ok some maybe to that, but most are to us the people who have gone through most of the problems said sorry i guess that makes you one of the simpletons here to
i am suffering with noises in my stomach think it might be cause by anxiety
since 3years( i was 16 ) i am suffering with my blocked jaw. it has become difficult for me to open my mouth to talk and eat and it often stops working abruptly while taking a shower.it even causes severe headache and also pain in my ears but the doctor says that it has no link. Can someone help me
In regard to IBS which troubled me for years: cut out all dairy products, esp. milk. Also stop all carbonated drinks; they are a disaster for the human body. Hope this helps you also.
Terrible ringing in ears. Any treatment for this?
Aside from time – getting used to it, the best treatment for ringing of the ears – or tinnitus – is Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). You train the brain to not notice the tinnitus most of the time, and when it does it is treated as non-threatening like the hum of your refigerator. The success rate of this is over 80% and I am doing it myself and it is working. You also need sound enrichment – background noises around to not let your mind focus on the tinnitus. Silence is the enemy. TRT takes from 6 to 9 months to work as you are rewiring the brain but after odds are you will not be bothered much by it.
my daughter has a loud popping sound in her body when she walks she is going to a chiro but it hasnt made a difference any suggestion