Gurgle, Pop, Achoo: The Truth About Body Noises

The septum -- the wall in your nose that divides the two sides -- should be solid. If you develop a hole or tear, it can cause a whistling noise when you breathe in and out. If you have this problem, talk to your doctor. If there is a large hole, he may suggest putting a septal flap in to plug the hole, or other surgery.

When you pop your knuckles, you break the seal around the joints, causing a cracking sound. It won't cause arthritis, but if you have the condition already, it can make it worse. Over time, repetitive motion can wear down the joints. Better switch to popping gum.

The Guinness World Records recognized Paul Hunn of the U.K. in 2009 for the loudest belch -- coming in at 109.9 decibels. 

And while a man takes top honors, the ladies aren't far behind: Elisa Cagnoni of Italy holds the record for loudest female burp. Hers came in at 107 decibels. That's about the same level as a snow blower.

Whether a fart sounds like a trumpet or is silent but deadly has to do with many things, but clamping down can backfire and make the burst louder. 

Another reason some are so noisy: The more gas you pass at once, the louder the rumble. 

You may feel the need to pinch your nostrils or tightly clamp your mouth shut when you sneeze in public, but you're better off letting it go. 

When you hold back a sneeze, it forces pressurized air into your middle ear. That can lead to hearing loss, broken blood vessels in your eyes, or even a ruptured blood vessel in your brain. 

Do cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the crook of your elbow when you sneeze. Gesundheit!

These sounds are usually perfectly normal. They happen when your intestinal walls contract, liquid moves through your intestines, or you have a buildup of gas. 

There are even more sounds going on inside that you can't hear. To make sure your digestive system is doing its job right, your doctor might use a stethoscope to listen to your tummy. If he hears 5 to 30 clicks and gurgles per minute, that's a good sign.

Tinnitus, a ringing, whistling, or buzzing sound that only you can hear, has many causes. Hearing loss caused by aging often brings it on. 

Loud noises like being around a construction site, or rock concert, or cranking up music on your headphones are sometimes to blame. Impacted earwax also could be the problem. But never use cotton swabs to clean your ears out. 

Certain medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, can cause or worsen tinnitus, especially if you take them at high doses. Talk to your doctor before stopping or changing medication.

No, it’s not the Tell-Tale Heart. This condition, called pulsatile tinnitus, is usually harmless. Rarely, it could be a sign of high blood pressure. Other causes include a type of hearing loss that makes internal head noises sound louder (conductive hearing loss), a blood vessel disorder, or spasms of the ear muscles. 

Your doctor can help you get to the bottom of the beating sound.

When you fart and others hear it, it can be embarrassing. But remember, they do it, too. A lot. Our bodies release gas from swallowed air and the breakdown of food. 

You may notice you fart more when you eat and drink too quickly, smoke, chew gum, suck on hard candies, or drink carbonated beverages. 

Carbohydrate-containing foods are also big gas producers. Beans and broccoli are well-known for the toll they can take on your tummy. 

Other common culprits: dairy products, whole grains, and anything made with high-fructose corn syrup. 

Snoring happens when your throat muscles relax and the walls of your throat vibrate. If your throat or nose is inflamed, as they can be with allergies, it can make snoring worse. Being overweight or pregnant can cause throat tissue to thicken. And that can make you snore. 

Slimming down, avoiding alcohol close to bedtime, and sleeping on your side instead of your back may help. If your snoring is severe, talk to your doctor. About half of people who snore loudly have sleep apnea, a serious medical condition in which you stop breathing for several seconds at a time during the night.

You've probably tried several different folk remedies for stopping hiccups, those involuntary spasms of your diaphragm. There's no harm in trying most of them, and sometimes they may even help. But more often than not, you'll just have to wait it out. 

Your best bet is to avoid hiccup triggers like carbonated drinks, eating too much, or swallowing air.

Food and drinks that have artificial sweeteners are hard for your body to digest. Sugar-free gum and candy made with sugar alcohols (such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol) can also cause your tummy to rumble.