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‘Cry More’ says Retired MD: Highlighting the Virtues of a Little-Known Organ
The benefits of crying now and at any old age
Dr. Richard Fleming writes a blog on aging that I follow. He is a gifted writer and has some provocative ideas about crying.
Crying is not one of my strengths, but I was touched by his recent essay. I am ready to give it another look.
Just as the health benefits of conversation for older people changed my attitude towards conversation-making, so too has current information about the benefits of crying, which made me a believer.
The name of the little-known and non-vital organ for crying is the lacrimal gland, commonly known as the tear gland. We have two of these magical organs, one above each eye.
Dr. Flemming points out that tear production is especially valuable for old folks. Tears serve two principal functions, one physiological, the other emotional.
Physiologically, tears lubricate our eyes.
“Maintaining moist eyes is crucial for normal vision and eye health. Our lacrimal glands work 24 hours a day to keep our eyes from drying out. If our eyes are not moist, we cannot clearly see the world and the road ahead.”