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Have you ever felt your joints throb before a thunderstorm? Experienced a sudden migraine during a cold front? Had the scent of cologne catapult you to a distant memory? Our bodies can do some spectacular and seemingly inexplicable things. Here, experts decode nine of the body’s oddest abilities—some of which you may not even know you have. 1. Your achy joints can predict the weather. Stories of people’s creaky joints before rainfall aren’t old wives' tales, says orthopedic surgeon Robert Tait, MD. "When a storm front moves in, the atmospheric pressure drops. Major joints’ sensory nerve endings register a relative increase in joint fluid pressure, resulting in increased pain." Frequent aches sound unpleasant, but at least those with psychic joints know when to bring an umbrella! 2. Your eyes can warn you when your body's too cold. Everyone shivers when they’re chilly, but how can we tell if temperatures are verging on dangerous? According to Rupe Hansra, OD, senior director of eye care at LensCrafters, the eyes are the windows to signs of extreme cold. "When hypothermia becomes severe, blood vessels in the eyes constrict to conserve energy," says Dr. Hansra. And that can result in temporary blindness, which model Kate Upton experienced firsthand during her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover shoot in Antarctica. Temperatures reportedly dipped as low as -20°F while she was there. 3. Your heart rate can foretell the future. Your heart doesn't know when you'll get married or how much you'll receive in tax returns, but findings from a recent study show that people's tickers can anticipate certain events without any cues. Researchers from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, the University of California, Irvine, and the Università di Padova in Italy showed subjects a series of images in an unpredictable order and studied their reactions. Some images were neutral; others were meant to elicit an excited response. The scientists discovered a quickened heart rate as much as 10 seconds before the presentation of a stimulating image, suggesting that hearts can sense when something thrilling or disturbing is about to happen. So listen to your heart! Check out more things your body can do from Woman's Day. More from Woman's Day:
Tell us what your body tells you. |
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