Menu
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result

Home > Health > 8 Interesting Ways the Body Defends Itself

8 Interesting Ways the Body Defends Itself

December 12, 2022
6 min read
By Shiza Khan, M.Sc. – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics | Dietitian/Nutritionist

In this article:

  • Fascinating Things Your Body Does in Self-Defense
  • Most-Asked Questions
  • Final Word

The human body is a very well-developed complex structure that is yet to be fully understood. It has complicated systems that ensure everyday wellness from day to night.

fascinating self defense mechanisms of our body

With natural biological cycles that regulate bodily functioning, the body also has self-defense mechanisms in place to protect itself.

Fascinating Things Your Body Does in Self-Defense

Your body has established different mechanisms to prevent any physical and physiological harm. Some of these self-defense mechanisms include:

  • Yawning
  • Inflammation
  • Wet-induced wrinkled fingers
  • Fever
  • Hiccups
  • Blinking
  • Sneezing
  • Scabbing

1. Yawning

Thermoregulation is a biological means of maintaining a constant internal body temperature.

Advertisements

According to the theory of thermoregulation, yawning helps to cool the brain as countercurrent heat exchange happens through the deep inhalation associated with yawning. That is why how much you yawn can be linked with the body’s temperature.

A study reported a reduced frequency of yawning during winters or cold periods since, in a cold environment, the body doesn’t need to cool down via heat exchange from yawning. 

An improved understanding of how yawning helps regulate body temperature can be helpful in working on new treatments for those who suffer from thermoregulatory problems such as hyperthermia. (1)

2. Inflammatory response

an inflammatory response could be an important part of the immune system

Any injury or infection triggers an inflammatory response, which is considered to be an important part of the immune system.

Research and studies have shown that any kind of injury to a cell causes a release of chemicals that have a vasodilatory effect and contribute to inflammation, such as prostaglandins.

Inflammation serves as a defense mechanism as it helps in the elimination of injurious factors, allowing healing to begin. (2)

Advertisements

3. Wet-induced wrinkled fingers

On continued immersion in water, the skin on the hands and feet becomes wrinkled, and this is an active response by the nervous system. These wrinkles have an important role and function, which is better and improved handling of objects when compared to unwrinkled ones.

Research suggests that wrinkled fingers are an adaptation for handling things in wet conditions. This is because wrinkled fingers tend to decrease the grip force needed to hold a wet object. (3)

4. Fever

A defense mechanism that is evoked by infections is fever. Virus replication is affected by a rise in temperature, and even a decent increase in temperature can exert strong control over virus replication and reduce the infection rate.

Studies have shown fevers to reduce virus multiplication during human viral infections. (4)

5. Hiccups

one of the body’s ubiquitous reflexes is hiccuping

One of the body’s ubiquitous reflexes is hiccuping.

Some studies have suggested that hiccups are the body’s mechanism to move the bolus of food that may be trapped in your esophagus through the simultaneous relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. However, more research is required as hiccups are not always associated with food stuck in the food pipe. (5)

Advertisements

Other reasons that can cause hiccups include:

  • Eating too quickly or too much
  • Irritation in the stomach
  • Irritation in the throat
  • Feeling nervous or excited (6)

6. Blinking

Blinking is a semiautonomic action where you close your eyelids. You don’t need to think about it or do it voluntarily – you’re constantly blinking!

It is an essential function to spread tears across the eyes and eliminate any irritant or foreign substance. Thus, it is an important self-defense mechanism of the body.

When you blink, your eyelashes trap dust particles or irritants before they reach your eyeball. Blinking keeps your eyes lubricated as well. (7)

7. Sneezing

The sneeze center is responsible for sneezing. When a dust particle enters your nose, a message is sent to the brain’s sneeze center, causing the muscles and the diaphragm to work together to expel the irritant.

Sneezing is an important defense mechanism during allergic reactions, infections, or sudden temperature changes. (8)

Advertisements

8. Scabbing

scabbing is also the body's self defense mechanism for wound healing

A scab is a protective tissue that covers damaged skin after you scrape your skin or undergo an injury.

At the site of injury, a blood clot is formed, which ultimately stiffens into a protective crust that is the scab. Later, as the wound heals and the skin tissue regenerates, the scab is pushed out. So, the scab is simply an indicator that wound healing is taking place.

Studies have shown that wound scabs prevent the loss of blood after an injury and provide protection against infection. It also offers natural protection against UV radiation to prohibit DNA damage in the underlying cells during the wound healing process when exposed to sunlight, thereby reducing the risk of developing skin cancer. (9)

Advertisements

Most-Asked Questions

Can I sneeze with my eyes open?

There is a very strong urge to close your eyes when you sneeze. The scientific explanation for it is not yet completely known; it is an involuntary reflex.

Is it bad to hold in a sneeze?

When you have the urge to sneeze, never try to hold it. Stopping yourself from sneezing can lead to an excessive buildup of pressure in your nasal passage that may not be good for you.

How do I know if there’s inflammation in my body?

The characteristic signs of inflammation include:

  • Redness
  • Pain
  • Heat
  • Swelling

Final Word

Nature has created the body in the most flawless possible way. Every aspect of the body has a crucial function from timely regulation to self-defense – everything is fascinating and well thought out.

The body prepares itself in the best ways to protect itself from various physical harms such as foreign particles and chemical triggers. These comprise the various self-defense mechanisms as shared above.

But even with these mechanisms, it is extremely important to keep yourself healthy with the right lifestyle modification and dietary interventions.

References
  1. Author links open overlay panelJorg J.M.MassenaPersonEnvelopeKimDuschbOmar TonsiEldakarcAndrew C.GallupdPersonEnvelope, J.M.MassenaPersonEnvelope J, a, et al. A thermal window for yawning in humans: Yawning as a brain cooling mechanism. Physiology & Behavior. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938414001784. Published April 12, 2014.
  2. Jakab L. A szervezeti önvédelem módja: a gyulladás [The way of self-defence of the organism: inflammation]. Orv Hetil. 2013;154(32):1247-1255. doi:10.1556/OH.2013.29670.
  3. Davis NJ. Water-immersion finger-wrinkling improves grip efficiency in handling wet objects. PLoS One. 2021;16(7):e0253185. Published 2021 Jul 21. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0253185.
  4. Dianzani F, Baron S. Nonspecific Defenses. In: Baron S, editor. Medical Microbiology. 4th edition. Galveston (TX): University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; 1996. Chapter 49. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK8348/.
  5. Howes D. Hiccups: a new explanation for the mysterious reflex. Bioessays. 2012;34(6):451-453. doi:10.1002/bies.201100194.
  6. What causes hiccups? (for kids) – nemours kidshealth. KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/hiccup.html.
  7. Why do we blink our eyes? MyVision.org. https://myvision.org/eye-health/why-do-we-blink/. Published April 4, 2022.
  8. c=AU; o=The State of Queensland; ou=Queensland Health; ou=; ou=; Sneezing 101 – what is a sneeze, why do we sneeze and how to sneeze safely. Queensland Health. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/news/sneezing-101-what-why-how-to-sneeze-correctly-safely. Published September 2, 2020.
  9. van der Pol E, Mudde YD, Coumans FA, van Leeuwen TG, Sturk A, Nieuwland R. Wound scabs protect regenerating tissue against harmful ultraviolet radiation. Med Hypotheses. 2016;96:39-41. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2016.09.011.
  • Was this article helpful?
  • YES, THANKS!NOT REALLY
Spread the Love❤️
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements

Newsletter

Get our BEST updates delivered to your inbox:



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Categories

  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • Oral Care
  • Eye Care
  • Heart Health
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Women’s Health
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Respiratory Health

Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
eMediHealth

This site provides content for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of a medical concern or emergency, please consult your healthcare provider.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation.

Our Network: Little Extra

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Nutrition
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Yoga & Meditation
  • Women’s Health
  • Heart Health
  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Bones & Joints
  • Child Health
  • Digestive
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eye Care
  • Glands & Hormones
  • Health News
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mental Health
  • Nervous System
  • Oral Care
  • Pain Management
  • Respiratory Health
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Urological Health

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.