A hiccup is a sudden, involuntary contraction or spasm of the diaphragm muscle that makes the vocal cords to snap shut producing a hiccup sound. The diaphragm is the main breathing muscle below the lungs, that helps us to breathe. During hiccup the diaphragm contracts and sucks in air suddenly into the lungs forcefully which pushes the epiglottis or vocal cords to shut suddenly by a snapping sound. Most hiccups will resolve on its own in a short period of time if the cause is a minor one. Continuous hiccups that lasts for many hours may indicate a cause of an underlying disease origin.
Common causes of hiccups:
Eating too quickly and swallowing air along with foods.
Stretching of the stomach after heavy eating or drinking can irritate the diaphragm that cause hiccups.
Sudden emotional excitement.
Sudden change of air temperature.
Very hot/cold foods or drinks.
Alcohol or excess smoking.
Heartburn or acid reflux.
Causes due to the underlying condition:
Disease or disorder that irritates the nerves that control the diaphragm such as liver disease, pneumonia, lung disorders etc.
Abdominal surgery can irritate the nerves that control the diaphragm and thus causing hiccups.
Strokes or brain tumors involving the brain stem, and some chronic medical disorders such as renal failure etc. causes hiccups.
Medications also causes hiccups such as those for acid reflux, benzodiazepines including diazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam, levodopa, nicotine, and ondansetron.
Noxious fumes can also trigger hiccups.
Hiccups are rarely a medical emergency but if lasts for more than three hours or days and if it disturbs eating or sleeping it is advisable to consult a physician. If it is associated with abdominal pain, fever, shortness of breath, vomiting, coughing up blood, or feeling as if your throat is going to close up, you should seek immediate emergency medical attention.
Home remedies for hiccups:
1. Methods that cause the body to retain carbon dioxide, which is thought to relax the diaphragm and stop the spasms:
Hold your breath for a little while.
2. Techniques that stimulate the nasopharynx and the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to the stomach, and can decrease hiccuping:
Drink a glass of water quickly.
or
Take 1 tablespoonful of sugar and swallow it slowly.
or
Take half a bowl of curd with some salt added to it.
or
Eat a small piece of ginger.
Medical management of hiccups:
A registered physician may prescribe medications for severe, chronic hiccups which include chlorpromazine, haloperidol, metoclopramide etc.
Some muscle relaxants, sedatives, analgesics, and even stimulants have also been reported to help alleviate hiccup symptoms.
Treatment of the underlying condition relives severe and chronic hiccups.
Avoid overeating, eating too quickly, or drinking too much to help prevent hiccups.
Common causes of hiccups:
Eating too quickly and swallowing air along with foods.
Stretching of the stomach after heavy eating or drinking can irritate the diaphragm that cause hiccups.
Sudden emotional excitement.
Sudden change of air temperature.
Very hot/cold foods or drinks.
Alcohol or excess smoking.
Heartburn or acid reflux.
Causes due to the underlying condition:
Disease or disorder that irritates the nerves that control the diaphragm such as liver disease, pneumonia, lung disorders etc.
Abdominal surgery can irritate the nerves that control the diaphragm and thus causing hiccups.
Strokes or brain tumors involving the brain stem, and some chronic medical disorders such as renal failure etc. causes hiccups.
Medications also causes hiccups such as those for acid reflux, benzodiazepines including diazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam, levodopa, nicotine, and ondansetron.
Noxious fumes can also trigger hiccups.
Hiccups are rarely a medical emergency but if lasts for more than three hours or days and if it disturbs eating or sleeping it is advisable to consult a physician. If it is associated with abdominal pain, fever, shortness of breath, vomiting, coughing up blood, or feeling as if your throat is going to close up, you should seek immediate emergency medical attention.
Home remedies for hiccups:
1. Methods that cause the body to retain carbon dioxide, which is thought to relax the diaphragm and stop the spasms:
Hold your breath for a little while.
2. Techniques that stimulate the nasopharynx and the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to the stomach, and can decrease hiccuping:
Drink a glass of water quickly.
or
Take 1 tablespoonful of sugar and swallow it slowly.
or
Take half a bowl of curd with some salt added to it.
or
Eat a small piece of ginger.
Medical management of hiccups:
A registered physician may prescribe medications for severe, chronic hiccups which include chlorpromazine, haloperidol, metoclopramide etc.
Some muscle relaxants, sedatives, analgesics, and even stimulants have also been reported to help alleviate hiccup symptoms.
Treatment of the underlying condition relives severe and chronic hiccups.
Avoid overeating, eating too quickly, or drinking too much to help prevent hiccups.
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