The truth is that at one point or the other everybody will get hiccups at some point in their life because hiccups are a temporary condition that goes away on its own in most cases, though not always.
Hiccups as described by Dr. Lourdes DelRosso, an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania is a brief contraction of the main muscle involved in respiration.
Hiccups occur when the diaphragm involuntarily contrasts repeatedly. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the heart and lungs from the abdominal cavity. It is essential for breathing. As the muscle contracts, it makes more room for the lungs to fill with air.
Causes of Hiccups
The causes of hiccups depend on how long the episodes last. Hiccups that last less than 48hours may be referred to as acute hiccups while such that lasts longer than this and recur frequently are referred to as persistent and intractable hiccups and medical intervention is needed.
Causes of acute hiccups include:
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1. Eating a large meal, eating spicy foods or eating too quickly
2. Having a bloated stomach
3. Drinking alcohol or fizzy drinks
4. Noxious fumes can also trigger hiccups.
Sudden changes in temperature
Fear or excitement
Causes of persistent or protracted hiccups:
Any disease or disorder that irritates the nerves that control the diaphragm (such as liver disease, pneumonia, or other lung disorders) and other respiratory-related problems
Abdominal surgery can also irritate the nerves that control the diaphragm, causing hiccups.
Strokes or brain tumours involving the brain stem, and some chronic medical disorders (such as renal failure) have also been reported to cause hiccups.
5. Taking certain medications such as benzodiazepines, dexamethasone, methyldopa or opioids
How to prevent Hiccups:
Hiccups can actually be prevented or treated when it occurs and lifestyle change can go a long way in helping. A lot of both conventional and unconventional ways have been suggested for the management of hiccups.
Incredible things you never knew about Hiccups?
1. Avoid overeating
2. Avoid eating too quickly
3. Avoid drinking carbonated beverages
4. Gargle with iced water
5. Place drops of vinegar in your mouth and swallow after a while
6. Put your fingers in your ears for some seconds
7. Breath in and hold your breath for about 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly. Repeat 3 or 4 times.
8. Place a teaspoon of honey in your mouth. When it melts, swallow it
Take a deep breath and hold it. When there’s a build-up of carbon dioxide in your lungs, your diaphragm relaxes.
10. Take quick sips in a row from a glass of water
11. Take a thin slice of lemon, place it on your tongue and suck it like a sweet.
Trying any of this procedures whenever you have hiccups will help but if it persists you might need to see your Doctor.
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