Weird Medical Facts about the Human Body

The human body is a complex system of organs and cells and sometimes strange things happen to them that can cause alarm or amusement.

In his book, Doctor have you Got a Minute, Dr Tom Smith describes some of the weird medical and bodily conditions that can affect people. These include various parts of the human body and many are conditions patients are embarrassed to discuss with their doctors. Understanding the reason behind them can offer some peace of mind.

Odd Medical Conditions that Affect the Human Body

The human body is a finely balanced system and when something goes wrong, the results can be distressing or just strange:

• Women may grow facial hair as a result of hormonal changes. A predominance of progesterone over estrogen can cause this as can high testosterone levels
• An overactive thyroid gland can cause a fast pulse rate, quicker thought processes and more physical activity. All this leads to weight loss even though a large amount of food may be consumed
• Some men find that their beard grows out ginger although the hair on their head may be brown or blonde. It is thought this may be because that part of their face does not produce melanin but pheomelanin
• Redheaded people have skins that cannot make melanin which gives the skin pigmentation. Instead their body produces a red pigment called pheomelanin
• Mucus in the nose is part of the body’s defence system. Many of the germs that are breathed in are trapped in the nose. The mucus coats the germs and the body fights them resulting in a discharge of mucus. This effect is amplified when suffering from a common cold
• Diarrhoea is a sign of infection in the lower bowel. Rehydration is the best way to treat it as anti-diarrhoeal medications can keep the infection in the bowel and prolong the effects
• Body odour is made up of a number of substances including food such as garlic and onion that pass into the sweat. Strong emotions can cause extra sweating and a lack of washing can allow bacteria and fungi to grow which will add to body odour
• The volume of women’s breasts can vary as much as 30% from one side to the other
• Women have smaller livers than men and on average, have about two-thirds of the capacity of a man’s liver in breaking down alcohol
• Certain foods and drinks including shellfish, asparagus and beer can make urine smell different. A sweet smell may be indicative of diabetes
• Weight can be used as an indicator of when a girl will start her periods. Irrespective of their height, most girls start menstruating when they reach a weight of between 46 and 48 kilograms

Reference:

Doctor have you Got a Minute, Dr Tom Smith, Short Books, 2006