What are hiccups and what causes them. How long do hiccups typically last. What are the treatment options for persistent hiccups. Who is most affected by hiccups. How can serious complications from prolonged hiccups be prevented.

The Physiology of Hiccups: What Happens in Your Body

Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles that result in an abrupt inhalation followed by closure of the vocal cords. This produces the characteristic “hic” sound we associate with hiccups. But what exactly is happening in the body during a bout of hiccups?

The diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity, plays a crucial role in the hiccup mechanism. When a person hiccups, the diaphragm contracts suddenly and forcefully, causing a rapid intake of air. Almost simultaneously, the vocal cords snap shut, abruptly stopping the inflow of air and creating the distinctive hiccup sound.

This involuntary process is believed to be controlled by a reflex arc involving several nerves, including the vagus nerve, phrenic nerve, and sympathetic nerve fibers. The exact pathway and trigger for this reflex are not fully understood, which is one reason why hiccups can be challenging to control or stop at will.

The Role of the Nervous System in Hiccups

The nervous system plays a crucial part in the hiccup reflex. The hiccup reflex arc involves:

• Afferent limb: Vagus nerve, phrenic nerve, and sympathetic chain
• Central processor: Upper spinal cord and brainstem
• Efferent limb: Phrenic nerve to the diaphragm and other nerves to the intercostal muscles and glottis

This complex interplay of nerves and muscles explains why hiccups can be triggered by such a wide variety of factors, from digestive issues to neurological disorders.

Common Triggers for Hiccups: From Everyday Habits to Medical Conditions

Hiccups can be triggered by a variety of factors, ranging from simple everyday habits to more complex medical conditions. Understanding these triggers can help in preventing and managing hiccup episodes.

Everyday Habits That Can Cause Hiccups

Many common activities and dietary habits can lead to hiccups:

• Eating too quickly or overeating
• Consuming carbonated beverages
• Drinking alcohol
• Swallowing air while chewing gum or smoking
• Eating spicy foods
• Sudden temperature changes in the stomach (e.g., drinking a hot beverage followed by a cold one)

These triggers often cause short-term hiccups that resolve on their own within minutes or hours.

Medical Conditions Associated with Persistent Hiccups

While most hiccup episodes are benign and short-lived, persistent or intractable hiccups can be a sign of underlying medical conditions:

1. Gastrointestinal disorders: GERD, stomach distention, pancreatitis
2. Central nervous system disorders: Tumors, infections, trauma
3. Metabolic disorders: Diabetes, electrolyte imbalances
4. Psychogenic factors: Stress, anxiety, excitement
5. Medication side effects: Steroids, benzodiazepines, chemotherapy drugs

If hiccups persist for more than 48 hours, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider to rule out any serious underlying conditions.

The Duration Dilemma: When Hiccups Become a Concern

Most people experience hiccups as a brief, albeit annoying, episode that resolves quickly. However, the duration of hiccups can vary greatly, and in some cases, can become a significant medical concern. How long do hiccups typically last, and when should their persistence raise a red flag?

Classifications of Hiccup Duration

Hiccups are typically classified into three categories based on their duration:

1. Acute hiccups: Lasting less than 48 hours
2. Persistent hiccups: Lasting from 48 hours to 1 month
3. Intractable hiccups: Lasting longer than 1 month

Acute hiccups are the most common and usually resolve on their own without any intervention. Persistent and intractable hiccups, however, can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and may indicate an underlying health issue.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Hiccups

While most hiccup episodes are harmless, there are situations where medical attention is warranted. Consider consulting a healthcare provider if:

• Hiccups persist for more than 48 hours
• Hiccups are severe enough to interfere with eating, sleeping, or breathing
• Hiccups are accompanied by severe abdominal pain, fever, or shortness of breath
• Hiccups occur frequently and disrupt daily life

Early intervention for persistent hiccups can help prevent complications and identify any underlying health issues.

Treatment Approaches: From Home Remedies to Medical Interventions

The approach to treating hiccups varies depending on their duration and underlying cause. While acute hiccups often respond to simple home remedies, persistent or intractable hiccups may require more comprehensive medical interventions.

Home Remedies for Acute Hiccups

For short-term hiccups, several home remedies are often effective:

• Holding your breath for a short period
• Drinking water quickly or from the opposite side of the glass
• Swallowing a teaspoon of granulated sugar
• Pulling on your tongue
• Biting on a lemon
• Gargling with ice water

These methods typically work by interrupting the hiccup reflex or stimulating the vagus nerve, which can help stop the hiccups.

Medical Treatments for Persistent Hiccups

When hiccups persist beyond 48 hours or become intractable, medical intervention may be necessary. Treatment options include:

1. Medications: Chlorpromazine, metoclopramide, baclofen
2. Nerve blocks: Phrenic nerve block
3. Surgical interventions: In rare, severe cases
4. Alternative therapies: Acupuncture, hypnosis

The choice of treatment depends on the underlying cause of the hiccups and the individual patient’s health status. A thorough medical evaluation is crucial to determine the most appropriate treatment approach.

The Impact of Persistent Hiccups: Beyond the Annoyance

While occasional hiccups are usually nothing more than a minor inconvenience, persistent or intractable hiccups can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. The consequences of long-term hiccups extend far beyond mere annoyance, affecting physical health, mental wellbeing, and social interactions.

Physical Consequences of Prolonged Hiccups

Persistent hiccups can lead to several physical complications:

• Fatigue and exhaustion due to disrupted sleep patterns
• Weight loss and malnutrition from difficulty eating
• Dehydration from reduced fluid intake
• Gastroesophageal reflux and potential esophageal injury
• Arrhythmias or other cardiac issues in severe cases

These physical effects can be particularly concerning in individuals with pre-existing health conditions or weakened immune systems.

Psychological and Social Impact

The psychological toll of persistent hiccups should not be underestimated. Individuals suffering from long-term hiccups may experience:

1. Anxiety and depression
2. Social isolation due to embarrassment or difficulty communicating
3. Decreased work productivity
4. Strained personal relationships
5. Overall reduced quality of life

Addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of persistent hiccups is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Hiccups in Special Populations: Children, Elderly, and Pregnant Women

While hiccups can affect anyone, certain populations may experience them differently or face unique challenges in managing them. Understanding how hiccups manifest and are treated in children, the elderly, and pregnant women is important for providing appropriate care.

Hiccups in Children

Hiccups are common in infants and children, often occurring during feeding. In most cases, they are harmless and resolve on their own. However, persistent hiccups in children may indicate:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Swallowing disorders
• Neurological issues in rare cases

Treatment for children focuses on gentle, safe methods such as changes in feeding position or techniques to stimulate the vagus nerve.

Hiccups in the Elderly

Older adults may be more susceptible to persistent hiccups due to:

1. Increased prevalence of underlying medical conditions
2. Medication side effects
3. Changes in swallowing function

Management in the elderly requires careful consideration of overall health status and potential drug interactions.

Hiccups During Pregnancy

Pregnant women may experience more frequent hiccups due to:

• Increased pressure on the diaphragm from the growing uterus
• Hormonal changes affecting the digestive system
• Increased incidence of GERD during pregnancy

Treatment focuses on safe, non-pharmacological methods and addressing underlying causes like GERD.

Prevention Strategies: Minimizing the Risk of Hiccup Episodes

While it’s not always possible to prevent hiccups entirely, certain strategies can help reduce their frequency and severity. By understanding and avoiding common triggers, individuals can minimize their risk of experiencing bothersome hiccup episodes.

Dietary Modifications to Prevent Hiccups

Several dietary habits can contribute to hiccups. Consider the following preventive measures:

• Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly to avoid swallowing excess air
• Avoid carbonated beverages or drink them slowly
• Limit alcohol consumption, especially carbonated alcoholic drinks
• Be cautious with very hot or very cold foods and beverages
• Maintain good posture while eating to reduce pressure on the diaphragm

These simple dietary adjustments can significantly reduce the likelihood of hiccup episodes for many individuals.

Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Hiccup Risk

Beyond dietary modifications, certain lifestyle changes can help prevent hiccups:

1. Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises
2. Avoid smoking or chewing gum, which can lead to air swallowing
3. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce pressure on the diaphragm
4. Stay hydrated to prevent irritation of the phrenic nerve
5. Be mindful of medications that may trigger hiccups and discuss alternatives with your healthcare provider if necessary

By incorporating these preventive strategies into daily life, many people can reduce their susceptibility to hiccups and improve overall digestive health.

The Science Behind Hiccup Cures: Separating Fact from Fiction

Hiccups have been the subject of countless home remedies and folk cures throughout history. While some of these methods may seem bizarre or illogical, there is often a scientific basis behind their effectiveness. Understanding the mechanisms behind successful hiccup cures can help separate fact from fiction and guide more effective treatment approaches.

The Vagus Nerve Connection

Many effective hiccup remedies work by stimulating the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in the hiccup reflex. Methods that target the vagus nerve include:

• Holding your breath: Increases CO2 levels in the blood, which can inhibit the hiccup reflex
• Drinking water quickly: The act of swallowing stimulates the vagus nerve
• Swallowing sugar: The granules may irritate the esophagus, stimulating the vagus nerve

These techniques are often effective for acute hiccups and have a sound physiological basis.

Debunking Common Hiccup Myths

Not all popular hiccup cures are based on scientific evidence. Some common myths include:

1. Scaring someone to cure hiccups: While startling may interrupt the hiccup pattern, it’s not a reliable cure
2. Holding your breath upside down: The inverted position isn’t necessary; simply holding your breath can be effective
3. Drinking from the far side of a glass: The effectiveness is likely due to the act of swallowing, not the unusual drinking position

Understanding the science behind hiccup cures can help individuals choose more effective methods and avoid potentially harmful or ineffective remedies.

In conclusion, hiccups are a common physiological phenomenon that, while usually benign, can sometimes indicate underlying health issues when persistent. Understanding the causes, duration, and treatment options for hiccups is crucial for effective management. From simple home remedies to medical interventions, a range of approaches is available to address hiccups of varying severity. By recognizing when hiccups warrant medical attention and implementing preventive strategies, individuals can minimize the impact of this sometimes troublesome condition on their daily lives. As research continues, our understanding of hiccups and their management will likely evolve, potentially leading to more targeted and effective treatments in the future.

Hiccups | Michigan Medicine

Topic Overview

What are hiccups?

Hiccups
occur when a spasm contracts the diaphragm, a large sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. This spasm causes an intake of breath that is suddenly stopped by the closure of the vocal cords (glottis). This closure causes the characteristic “hiccup” sound.

What causes hiccups?

A very full stomach can cause bouts of hiccups that go away on their own. A full stomach can be caused by:

• Eating too much food too quickly.
• Drinking too much alcohol.
• Swallowing too much air.
• Smoking.
• A sudden change in stomach temperature, such as drinking a hot beverage and then a cold beverage.
• Emotional stress or excitement.

How long do hiccups last?

Hiccups usually stop within a few minutes to a few hours.

Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours are called persistent hiccups. Hiccups that last longer than a month are called intractable hiccups. While very rare, intractable hiccups can cause exhaustion, lack of sleep, and weight loss. Both persistent and intractable hiccups may be a sign of a more serious health problem and must be checked by a doctor.

There are many known causes of persistent or intractable hiccups, including:

• Central nervous system problems, such as cancer, infections, stroke, or injury.
• Problems with the chemical processes that take place in the body (metabolic problems), such as decreased kidney function or hyperventilation.
• Irritation of the nerves in the head, neck, and chest (vagus or phrenic nerve).
• Anesthesia or surgery.
• Mental health problems.

How are hiccups treated?

Most bouts of hiccups go away on their own within a few minutes to a few hours and do not require any treatment.

Many home remedies are used to treat hiccups. Most of them involve increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the blood, which usually stops hiccups. Some of these remedies include:

• Holding your breath and counting slowly to 10.
• Quickly drinking a glass of cold water.
• Eating a teaspoon of sugar or honey.

The treatment for persistent or intractable hiccups depends on the underlying cause of the hiccups and may range from medicine to acupuncture or hypnosis. Sometimes several treatments may be tried before persistent or intractable hiccups are controlled. If you have hiccups that last a few days or longer, your doctor may conduct tests to rule out a more serious problem.

Who is affected by hiccups?

Hiccups affect males more often than females. Hiccups occur in practically every human being, including babies and older adults.

Credits

Current as of:
February 26, 2020

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP – Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine

Current as of: February 26, 2020

Author:
Healthwise Staff

Medical Review:William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP – Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine

Hiccups, dyspepsia and reflux

Understanding hiccups

Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the muscles in the chest that are involved in breathing including the diaphragm. When we hiccup air rushes into the lungs against closed vocal cords, making the characteristic hic sound. 

Most hiccups are harmless and stop within minutes or hours. An episode of hiccups might last up to 48 hours and not be a sign of anything serious. Hiccups that last between 48 hours and 1 month are referred to as persistent hiccups. Intractable hiccups are hiccups that last for more than 1 month.  

Almost 1 in 10 people with terminal cancer will have hiccups that are distressing or have a significant impact on their quality of life. Persistent and intractable hiccups also occur in people with non-cancer terminal illness, including stroke, Parkinson’s and MS.

Persistent, or intractable hiccups can be very frustrating and distressing. They can disrupt the person’s normal life by interfering with talking, eating, drinking and sleeping. They can also affect their mood and make their pain feel worse.

Serious complications of hiccups include:

• malnutrition
• fatigue
• dehydration
• disrupted sleep
• stress, anxiety or depression
• decreased quality of life.

 What causes hiccups?

There are many different causes of hiccups and someone with a terminal illness might have more than one risk factor. Causes include, but are not limited to:

• distention (stretching) of the stomach – can be caused by eating or drinking large volumes
• gastro-oesophageal reflux – stomach acid going into the oesophagus (gullet)
• altered blood levels of calcium, magnesium, sodium or potassium
• infection
• damage to the nerve that supplies the diaphragm (the phrenic nerve) – this could be caused by stroke, compression by a tumour or shingles
• liver disease, including tumours
• alcohol or smoking
• medicines including opioids, benzodiazepines and steroids
• stress and anxiety.  

Distension and gastro-oesophageal reflux are the most common causes of hiccups.

Medicines rarely causes hiccups, so don’t stop someone taking their medicines unless you’re advised to by their doctor or specialist nurse. 

What can I do to help someone with hiccups?

If there are no underlying causes for the hiccups, the most important thing to do is to help the person to avoid any triggers such as overeating or drinking alcohol. 

There are some practical things you can try to stop an episode of hiccups. There isn’t much evidence to show that they work but lots of people find that some of these techniques work well for them. Different techniques might work for different people. You can encourage someone to try any of the following:

• gargling cold water or swallowing crushed ice
• breathing into a paper bag
• interrupting normal breathing – for example holding their breath 
• drinking water from the far side of a cup
• pulling on their tongue
• drinking peppermint water
• swallowing a teaspoon of dry granulated sugar
• compressing the diaphragm by pulling the keens up to their chest
• swallowing water while closing their nose
• having a sudden fright.

Some people find complementary therapies such as acupuncture and hypnosis useful.

When should I ask for help with managing hiccups?

If hiccups last for more than 48 hours, or if you’re concerned about what’s causing them or the effects that they’re having, speak to the person’s GP or specialist. They can help assess and treat any reversible causes.

If no cause is found, they may be prescribed peppermint water or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole. 

Treatments should be reviewed after three days and if there’s no improvement a specialist palliative care professional can assess and prescribe other medicines, including dopamine antagonists. Peppermint water should not be used if the person is taking dopamine antagonists as they work in opposite ways. 

What are dyspepsia and reflux?

Dyspepsia (indigestion) isn’t one disease but describes a range of symptoms that affect the upper gastrointestinal tract (the stomach and the oesophagus). The symptoms are:

• pain or discomfort in the upper part of the abdomen (tummy)
• heartburn
• reflux
• nausea or vomiting
• feeling full quickly after eating
• bloating
• belching.

Dyspepsia can be very uncomfortable and have a significant negative effect on someone’s quality of life. 

Reflux (stomach acid going backwards into the oesophagus) can occur as part of dyspepsia or might be a symptom on its own. 

What causes dyspepsia?

Dyspepsia can affect anyone at any age. People with a terminal illness may be more likely to have dyspepsia.

Dyspepsia might not have any obvious cause. This is called primary or functional dyspepsia.

Secondary dyspepsia is when the symptoms occur as a result of an underlying condition, including:

• gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
• peptic ulcer (an ulcer in the stomach or small intestine)
• inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s disease
• cancer in the stomach or oesophagus
• infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria
• lymphoma affecting the stomach
• the stomach muscles not working properly (gastroparesis) caused by diabetes, renal failure or hypothyroidism
• medicines causing gastroparesis, including opioids, iron supplements, antibiotics and steroids.

What can I do to help someone with dyspepsia?

If you suspect someone has dyspepsia, speak to their GP or specialist nurse who can arrange further assessment to look for underlying causes and prescribe treatment. They might prescribe proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole or h3 antagonists such as ranitidine if someone has pain or heartburn. Prokinetics such as metoclopramide help the stomach to work faster so can be helpful with symptoms of bloating and feeling full.

If there are no underlying causes (functional dyspepsia), the person might not need any treatment. There are things you can suggest to help them manage their symptoms. They could:

• eat smaller portions more frequently to avoid feeling full early
• sit up during meals
• raise the head of the bed or use pillows to be propped up in bed
• avoid foods that make their symptoms worse such as fatty foods and spicy foods
• avoid eating immediately before bed.

Useful resources

NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary: Hiccups  

Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines: Hiccups  

Palliative Care Adult Network Guidelines Plus: Gastro-oesophageal reflux and dyspepsia  

Palliative Care Adult Network Guidelines Plus: Hiccups  

Fascinating Facts About Hiccups – Gastroenterology Associates of NJ

It happens all the time. One second, you’re laughing at your friend’s joke and having a good time. Then, all of a sudden, a hiccup fit begins. Now, everyone is laughing at you barely completing a sentence without the loud noise of a hiccup and jerking your upper body around.

But, are hiccups—also known as singultus—really a laughing matter? Are they serious? What are they? Not many have sat around answering these questions when we ask each other because simply, no one really knows. Hiccups have long been studied, but just recently enough light has been shed on the subject that we finally have some answers.

Why Do Hiccups Exist?

Okay, this one we will flat out tell the truth: We still have no idea. Some scientists say that hiccups are a trait left over from our evolutionary past. According to Buzzfeed, the thought is that the muscles that make us hiccup were originally intended for our gills. We can keep the study of hiccups in the unsolved mysteries of the human body library.

What Causes Hiccups?

A hiccup begins with an irritation of the esophagus by an outside stimulus. The most common causes of hiccups include:

• Alcohol consumption
• A sudden change in temperature, excitement or overeating
• An unexpected shock
• Lack of air
• Smoking
• Stress

How Long Do Hiccups Last?

The longest hiccup streak of all time clocked in at 68 years, but don’t worry—that’s not the norm. Hiccups usually they last about five minutes. However, prolonged hiccupping (48 hours or more) could be serious. Underlying causes have shown to include ulcers, thyroid issues and—in rare cases—cancers.

Is There a Cure?

There’s no right or wrong way to answer this question. If the root cause of the disturbance is detectable and treatable, then yes, the hiccup response will subside. There are many medications used to relax the muscles and diaphragm that show a response in alleviating hiccup symptoms. As a last resort, phrenic nerve surgery (the nerve that controls the diaphragm) is a possible treatment option.

When to See Your Physician

The rule of thumb is if your hiccups last more than two days or are so severe they are interfering with eating, sleeping or breathing, contact your physician. And of course, if you are coughing up blood, are running a fever or have shortness of breath, be sure to contact your doctor immediately.

Why Can’t I Stop Hiccupping? Hiccup Symptoms & Causes

Causes of hiccups

Many conditions can have hiccups as a symptom. almost all of them are things that can cause irritation of the nerves of the diaphragm, but sometimes hiccups are due to the nerves to the diaphragm or the brain’s hiccup center being irritated.

Respiratory system causes

Issues with the respiratory system can result in hiccups.

• Infection: Such as in the chest that irritates the diaphragm
• Tumors: Such as those in the chest that irritate the diaphragm
• A hiatal hernia: This is a separation in the muscles of the diaphragm.
• Severe or lengthy coughing

Involuntary, or autonomic, nervous system causes

The main causes of this nature involve disorders of the nerves innervating the diaphragm (the phrenic nerve) or disorders in the brain’s centers dealing with the diaphragm.

Digestive system causes

Issues with the digestive system may result in hiccups.

• Overeating or eating too quickly
• Swallowing air: Especially when chewing gum or eating hard candy
• A tumor in the abdomen: This can irritate the diaphragm.
• Heartburn: Also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD
• Talking while eating
• Spicy foods
• Carbonated drinks

Other causes

Other various causes that can result in hiccups include the following.

• Severe emotional stress
• Going suddenly from warm air to very cold air
• Pregnancy
• Surgery: Especially of the abdominal organs
• Medications
• Alcohol use and abuse

This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.

Acute episode of hiccups

An episode of hiccups is caused by involuntary contraction of the diaphragm with rapid closure of the airway by the epiglottis. An acute episode (lasting less than 48 hours) is very common, and most often tied to rapid eating, holding breath, or alcohol consumption.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: hiccups

Symptoms that always occur with acute episode of hiccups: hiccups

Urgency: Wait and watch

Barrett’s esophagus

Barrett esophagus is a condition in which the tissue lining the esophagus changes. These changes occur after longstanding gastro-esophageal reflux. Symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux can be regurgitation, heartburn. Barretts esophagus is associated with a risk of developing malignant esophageal disease.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: nausea, regurgitation, heartburn, sore throat, dry cough

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Persistent hiccups

Hiccups are caused by the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, with rapid closure of the airway, by the epiglottis. Hiccups lasting longer than 48 hours are called Persistent Hiccups.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: hiccups

Symptoms that always occur with persistent hiccups: hiccups

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Intractable hiccups

A bout of hiccups involves involuntary contraction of the diaphragm and rapid closure of the airway by the epiglottis. Hiccups lasting longer than one month are called “intractable” and may be connected to a broad range of different underlying conditions.

Rarity: Ultra rare

Top Symptoms: hiccups

Symptoms that always occur with intractable hiccups: hiccups

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Achalasia

Achalasia is a disorder of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. This condition affects the ability of the esophagus to move food into the stomach.

Rarity: Ultra rare

Top Symptoms: pain below the ribs, regurgitation, unintentional weight loss, heartburn, deep chest pain, behind the breast bone

Urgency: Primary care doctor

5 reasons you get hiccups after eating and what to do

If you’ve ever gotten a bad case of the hiccups after eating, you know how irritating they can be. But what are these annoying fits in the first place?

“Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle,” explains, Vincent Pedre, MD, a functional medicine specialist. “They can happen at different rates. As the muscle contracts repeatedly, the vocal cords will contract to prevent the unexpected inflow of air.” This is what causes the hiccuping sound Dr. Pedre says. To put it simply, “a hiccup is basically a spasm of both your diaphragm and vocal cords,” he says.

As you let that science sink in, scroll down to see what causes hiccups after eating. Plus, how to get rid of them, stat.

What causes hiccups after eating?

1. Eating too quickly

You might be familiar with the way that swallowing air causes bloat, but it can also cause hiccups. Often it happens when you eat too quickly. Swallowing air while eating or drinking “distends the stomach rapidly, and can thus irritate the diaphragm muscle,” says Dr. Pedre. “The diaphragm reacts to this sudden distension by contracting.”

2. Eating beyond the point of being full

Similarly, when you eat too much your stomach expands and jostles anything in its close proximity. This often includes the diaphragm, which when pushed against, can cause hiccups.

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3. Sudden and extreme temperature changes

Say you spend a hot summer day outside only to retreat into the AC (or the opposite temp flip in winter) and eat immediately, the sudden change in temperature can lead to contractions of the diaphragm causing post-meal hiccups.

4. Hot and spicy foods

Chili peppers and other spicy ingredients have a chemical compound called capsaicin which can irritate the diaphragm resulting in a bout of the hiccups. Something to think about next time you ask a friend to pass the bowl of cauliflower buffalo wings, amirite?

5. Consuming carbonated drinks

Here’s another cause both bloating and hiccups have in common. The extra air in you inhale when drinking sparkling water with your meal, for example, might give you a bad case of both by dessert.

How to get rid of hiccups after eating

1.

Hold your breath

You’ve probably heard this one before. The idea behind it is that taking a sudden gasp of air should reset the stretch receptors in your diaphragm bringing an end to the hiccups, according to Dr. Pedre.

2. Get frightened

The idea is similar to holding your breath—being scared often elicits a sudden gasp and change in your breathing, which can stop the hiccups. It’s just harder to pull off since you can’t really do it to yourself and if you ask someone else to do it, you could end up expecting it ruining the surprise factor. So instead, try watching an episode or two of something like American Horror Story.

3. Set off your gag reflex

Dr. Pedre says that one of the lesser known ways to get rid of the hiccups is to gag yourself. You can do this by using a tongue depressor or gently pulling on your tongue. In doing so you’ll stimulate the vagus nerve, which controls your gastrointestinal tract and plays a role in the contraction of your diaphragm.

4. Gargle water

Similarly, gargling water can help influence the vagus nerve into easing your hiccups by quelling the contraction of your diaphragm.

6. Massage your diaphragm

To deal with the problem, you can also go to its root. “A gentle massage of the diaphragm along the borders of the ribs is a good way to try and resolve hiccups,” says Dr. Pedre.

7. Drink water

Although sudden temperature changes might have caused your hiccups in the first place, drinking a glass of cold water (which is known to soothe nerves) is an easy home remedy to try to battle hiccups.

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9 Things You Don’t Know About Hiccups

Everyone gets a case of the hiccups eventually. It’s caused by spasms in the diaphragm that can occur for pretty much no reason. It can be uncomfortable but is hardly ever life threatening. Here are some things about hiccups you probably didn’t know.

1. If hiccups last for more than 48 hours, there’s an underlying cause

Random bouts of the hiccups are perfectly normal and aren’t the sign of any disease. That is, of course, they last for longer than two days. If that’s the case then there’s an 80% chance that there’s something else wrong that’s causing hiccups. The other 20% is usually psychological problems. In any case, if you have them for that long, there’s something else wrong.

2. Lots of things can cause hiccups

Hiccups can be caused by a number of things. Alcohol consumption, smoking, sudden changes of temperature (both inside of and outside of your stomach), a bloated stomach from overeating, shock, stress, and excitement have all been linked to causing short term bouts of hiccups. Long term hiccups can be caused by gastrointestinal or respiratory distress, diabetes,

3.

None of those home remedies work

Hiccups only last for a few minutes and there are no recognized remedies to make them stop aside from doctor-administered medicine. So drinking water, holding your breath, or getting scared actually doesn’t help. It’s likely that by the time these events occur, the hiccups have naturally stopped on their own. Sites will still list the home remedies but you’ll notice that they’ll only refer to them as things that “may help” rather than “will help”.

4. One superstitious standpoint are that hiccups are caused by hate

An old wives’ tale asserts that you only have hiccups when someone is talking about you in a negative way and that the only way to cure it is to guess the name of the person who is doing it. Of course, this isn’t true because if it were there would be people on this planet who would never stop hiccuping! In Russia, an old folklore states that hiccups occur when someone is thinking about you (good or bad). A third superstition asserts that hiccups mean that you are cursed with bad luck and that Satan lives inside of you.

5. The sound of a hiccup is caused by your own body cutting the air off

The trademark hiccup sound has been used in cartoon comedy for ages but how is it made? When the diaphragm contracts, it causes a quick intake of air that is promptly cut off by the closing of the vocal cords. The resulting noise pops out as a hiccup! According to studies, it takes about 35 milliseconds between the diaphragm contraction and the closing of the windpipe.

6. Everyone can get hiccups

If you thought there was a demographic that never got the hiccups, guess again. People of all races, all sexes, and all ages can get the hiccups from the oldest people to the youngest children. That includes fetuses that are still inside the womb. They can get hiccups too! It’s almost kind of poetic. Hiccups don’t discriminate. They also affect pretty much any animal with an evolved respiratory system including cats and dogs!

7. The average person has a hiccup frequency of 4-60 hiccups per minute

There is actually a unit of measurement for hiccup frequency and it’s hpm (hiccups per minute). The average person has a 4-60 hpm. That means there are people up there who hiccup once per second for a whole minute. That sounds like the opposite of fun.

8. Hiccups have a total of three names currently

You know the first one which are hiccups. The other two are diaphragmatic spasms and singultus. The first one is pretty self explanatory. Singultus comes from the Latin phrase “singult” which is loosely translated as “the act of catching one’s breath while sobbing.” In the olden days, hiccups were also called yox, hickot, hickock, hitchcock, and hiccough. Eventually, it became hiccups and that’s the way it stayed.

9. There was a guy who hiccuped for 68 years

From 1922 to 1990, a man by the name of Charles Osbourne had a case of the hiccups. Reportedly, he was picking up a pig to weigh it when he started to hiccup and he just kind of never stopped. He continued to live a full life, fathering eight children and getting married twice.

It’s a common occurrence but we still don’t known what causes hiccups exactly. The reigning theory is that the diaphragm gets irritated somehow and decides to contract until the irritation goes away. After a few minutes, it doesn’t matter anyway because they’ll be gone. Unless your name is Charles Osbourne, then it’d be a good idea to seek medical attention.

Featured photo credit: How Stuff Works via s.hswstatic.com

What are my hiccups telling me? — ScienceDaily

Most of us can remember the Grey’s Anatomy episode where Meredith’s step-mom checks into the hospital for a case of hiccups that won’t go away. The diagnosis wasn’t pretty and it may have caused viewers to panic about their health every time they hiccupped.

Everyone gets hiccups in their life. The majority of the time they are completely harmless and are more of an irritant than a symptom of an underlying condition, but, if you experience hiccups that last more than 48 hours this could potentially signal serious health complications.

“You should seek advice from your health care provider if your hiccups progress from happening every once in a while to becoming persistent or intractable,” said Timothy Pfanner, M. D., assistant professor of medicine at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine.

Hiccups happen when the diaphragm and respiratory organs experience a sudden, involuntary spasm. This spasm is usually followed by the closure of the glottis (the slit-like opening between the vocal cords and larynx) and a characteristic sound like that of a cough. Persistent hiccups are hiccups that last more than 48 hours but less than 30 days while intractable hiccups are classified as hiccups that last more than 30 days.

Occasional hiccups are mostly harmless

Pfanner added hiccups are normally seen in smokers and people who consume large amounts of alcohol. “Anything that causes your stomach to become distended can cause hiccups,” he said. “Smokers are prone because they are constantly swallowing air. Drinking alcohol can induce hiccups because it irritates the esophagus and may result in a flare-up of acid reflux.”

Acid reflux disease is a common culprit behind hiccups, and surprisingly, ear infections may cause them as well. When the tympanic membrane (the membrane in the ear that vibrates in response to sound waves) becomes irritated this can result in hiccups.

“This membrane can become irritated due to infection — especially if a hair makes its way into the ear and sits next to the membrane,” Pfanner said. “This is a very common cause for hiccups that don’t subside.”

If your hiccups last more than two days talk to your physician

“Generally, when someone is diagnosed with intractable hiccups, we start worrying that something more serious is going on internally,” Pfanner said. “However, since intractable hiccups are also a symptom of acid reflux disease it’s always important to discuss your symptoms with your physician.”

Cancer is never a word thrown around lightly, and according to Pfanner, intractable hiccups could be a symptom of certain cancers. “Sometimes we see intractable hiccups in patients diagnosed with cancers of the brain, lymph nodes or stomach cancer,” he said. “They can also indicate stroke. It’s still unclear why many of these incidents occur.”

Since hiccups convulse the muscles that control the diaphragm, patients who experience persistent or intractable hiccups can suffer nerve damage in the nerve that controls these muscles. “This may also point to a tumor in the neck or goiter,” Pfanner said.

Pesky hiccups that refuse to subside may even be symptoms of heart muscle damage or a heart attack. “Persistent or intractable hiccups can indicate inflammation around the heart or a pending heart attack,” Pfanner said. “That’s why we always want patients who are experiencing these type of hiccups to immediately consult their health care provider.”

Don’t panic

While hiccups can be tell-tale signs of serious health complications, common hiccups are more of a nuisance than a health risk.

To quickly ease your occasional hiccup woes, Pfanner recommends a few different methods. “You can hold your breath (for a short period of time) or breathe into a bag to ease hiccups,” he said. “Other methods include putting a cotton swab in the back of the throat to induce a gag reflex, gargling with ice water, swallowing granulated sugar, biting a lemon and pulling your knees to the chest to compress it. Pressing lightly on the eyeballs will also activate your vagus nerve and result in a reflex that hinders the spasm of hiccups.”

Story Source:

Materials provided by Texas A&M University. Original written by Lauren Thompson. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Hiccups: what to do

Hiccups are a nonspecific dysfunction of external respiration that occurs as a result of a series of convulsive jerky contractions of the diaphragm and is subjectively manifested by unpleasant short and intense respiratory movements. It sometimes occurs in healthy people for no apparent reason and, as a rule, is a harmless, rapidly resolving phenomenon.

Under what circumstances do hiccups occur?

Hiccups can occur under the following circumstances:

1. General cooling (especially in young children), especially with alcoholic intoxication.

2. When the stomach is overstretched (overflowing with food). According to experts, such involuntary muscle contractions can come from the esophagus. Swallowing disorders and food stuck in the esophagus provoke spasms where the esophagus enters the stomach.

3. In case of phrenic nerve irritation. The so-called “normal” hiccups are manifestations of a nervous tic. This occurs under the influence of the phrenic nerve, which, for unknown reasons, transmits excitation to the muscles of the diaphragm.The result is uncontrolled spasms.

Could hiccups be a symptom of diseases?

Hiccups can also be a symptom of certain diseases, for example, in case of irritation of the diaphragm during an inflammatory process in the abdominal cavity. Sometimes it becomes long and painful. Hiccups occur with some diseases of the brain and spinal cord, and can also be observed with myocardial infarction, infectious diseases and mental agitation.

What to do in case of prolonged hiccups?

In cases of prolonged, persistent hiccups, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will establish its cause and prescribe treatment. With the development of renal failure, persistent or intermittent hiccups may also occur. It is the result of the development of an abscess or tumor in the chest, diaphragm or esophagus. In some people, hiccups occur for psychological reasons, it resembles the reactions with transient paralysis in soldiers who are afraid of combat.In such cases, the hiccups are unconscious and reflect a desire to avoid very unpleasant events. Some individuals suffer from postoperative hiccups, which may be a reaction to pain medications.

What is the reason for this phenomenon?

Despite the significant advances in medicine over the many years of its existence, no reliable treatment has yet been found for these minor spasms, which cause a person to vomit obscene sounds, like a street bum.

Don’t worry, there are several ways to fix this problem.

How to get rid of hiccups?

To get rid of hiccups, you need to stop spasms of the diaphragm and esophagus. This can be done either by distraction or by breathing techniques. This is usually enough.

What if the hiccups still persist?

When your hiccups persist, you go to great lengths to make them disappear. You focus on your ribcage and deliberately tighten your diaphragm.But, straining and trying to suppress the next, expected hiccups, you only complicate the situation. Below we recommend you more correct techniques.

• Swallow a small amount of something bitter or sour. If anything unusual gets into the digestive system, the cramps usually go away: try sucking on a slice of lemon.
• Try to suppress the hiccups by reflex. Place your finger on the lining of the throat as if you are about to induce vomiting.However, in fact, you do not need to bring your actions to such an extent. In this way, you can interrupt the established rhythm of the hiccups.
• Try to drown out the hiccups with water. If you drink a large glass of water in small sips at a measured pace, you can stop hiccups. In this way, food debris is washed off from the lower part of the pharynx and, possibly, their irritating effect on the nerve passing in this area is eliminated.
• Drink water in a tilted torso position. The upside-down position introduces a completely new approach to the treatment of hiccups. Lean your torso over the sink and start sipping water from a glass that is as far away from you as possible.
• Use the sudden start method, for example, scare the hiccups victim with a sudden pop of an inflated bag or a loud shout. This can instantly interrupt the spasm.
• Try the traditional thread method. Residents of southern Texas of Spanish descent use a popular trick of interrupting hiccups with a red thread or a strip of cloth. They are tied around the child’s head in the forehead area at the level of the bridge of the nose. Perhaps the child directs his eyes to the thread and thus switches his attention. And this is exactly what you need to stop hiccups.
• Sweeten the Pill. Sprinkle some granulated sugar on the back of your tongue and swallow it, you can stir a spoonful of granulated sugar in a little beer and drink this mixture.
• Hold your tongue. Once again, when you are tormented by hiccups, open your mouth wider, take your tongue, pull it slightly and hold it for a few seconds.This was the preferred treatment for hiccups by President Kennedy’s personal physician.
• Bet on money is a favorite of some doctors, and they say it never fails with the usual hiccups. When someone starts to hiccup, take out the money, put it on the table, and make a wager with that person that he or she won’t be able to hiccup the next minute. This person cannot really hiccup another time without losing the bet.

Once you stop trying to interrupt the hiccups, a whole host of other muscles come into play and the spasms disappear.

When is it worth getting tested?

The examination must be passed in the following cases:

• if the hiccups continue for more than an hour;
• if hiccups occur several times a day or several days a week;
• if, in addition to hiccups, you have chest pain, heartburn, or trouble swallowing.

How, then, is the hiccups eliminated?

If you have very frequent hiccups, or if the attacks linger for a long time, your doctor may order an X-ray after taking the barium mixture to check for any obstruction in the esophagus.To eliminate hiccups, which are permanent and not associated with any mechanical obstruction in the esophagus, your doctor may prescribe certain medications, depending on what your disorder is associated with.

An interesting fact is that Charles Osborne from Anton, Iowa, USA, began to hiccup in 1922. He led a normal life, was married twice and had 8 children, and stopped hiccupping in 1990 (Guinness Book of Records).

Marina Aryatkina

Sources

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• Alefishat E., Aloum L., Baltatu OC., Petroianu GA. The action of aripiprazole and brexpiprazole at the receptor level in singultus. // J Integr Neurosci – 2021 – Vol20 – N1 – p. 247-254; PMID: 33834710
• Atiyat R., Veeraballi S., Al-Atiyat N., Chan KH., Slim J. A Rare Case Report of Persistent Hiccups as an Atypical Presentation of COVID-19. // Cureus – 2021 – Vol13 – N3 – p.e13625; PMID: 33816024
• Kutuk MO., Berdzenishvili E., Aksu GG. Hiccups in an Adult Case with Schizophrenia due to Aripiprazole: A Case Report.// Noro Psikiyatr Ars – 2021 – Vol58 – N1 – p.77-78; PMID: 33795958
• Ikitimur H., Borku Uysal B., Ikitimur B., Umihanic S., Smajic J., Jahic R. , Olcay A. Case Report: Two Cases of Persistent Hiccups Complicating COVID-19. // Am J Trop Med Hyg – 2021 – Vol – NNULL – p .; PMID: 33793414
• Ehret C., Young C., Ellefson CJ., Aase LA., Jatoi A. Frequency and Symptomatology of Hiccups in Patients With Cancer: Using an On-Line Medical Community to Better Understand the Patient Experience.// Am J Hosp Palliat Care – 2021 – Vol – NNULL – p.1049

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90,000 Who to contact with hiccups – doctors treating the disease

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Show 10 reviews of 15,016 90,000 forms, treatment, causes, symptoms, diagnosis

An involuntary, usually stereotypically repetitive, strong and short breath with a closed or sharply narrowed glottis. The cause of hiccups is a sudden convulsive contraction of the diaphragm.

Hiccups are not life threatening. This is just an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm with the simultaneous closing of the epiglottis, which occurs under the influence of various reasons. But it gives a lot of unpleasant sensations – both physical and moral, because it is not very pleasant to make a loud IK sound while at an important meeting or business meeting. Therefore, people are actively looking for ways to quickly get rid of hiccups.They use glasses of water, which are drunk in all sorts of ways, pressing and pulling out the tongue, push-ups and exercises for the press. But not everything is so simple – these methods work when the hiccups are physiological, and if the cause is any disease, only its treatment and the simultaneous appointment of special symptomatic therapy will help to eliminate the uncontrollable contractions of the diaphragm.

Why hiccups occur

What is hiccups and why does it happen? Hiccups in adults and children mean the same thing – it is an unconditioned congenital reflex, manifested by a series of contractions of the diaphragm in response to irritation with simultaneous spasm of the larynx and closure of the glottis. Why does hiccups appear in people as vividly as other beneficial reactions – coughing, sneezing? There are several opinions on this matter:

• This is an unnecessary (rudimentary) reflex that has been preserved since the time of living organisms in the aquatic environment.
• This is a skill that helps fluid move in the lungs of the embryo. After birth, the reflex fades away as unnecessary, but not completely, and can manifest itself under the influence of stimuli.
• Hiccups are a way to free the vagus nerve, which regulates the work of important organs, from temporary clamping in the esophagus so that it can continue to function normally.

How does the hiccuping process take place? In a relaxed state, the diaphragm has the shape of a dome, separating the abdominal and chest cavity. With the tension that accompanies each breath, it flattens and increases the volume of the lungs. The intercostal muscles also increase this volume by raising the ribs. During hiccups, muscle contraction occurs quickly and spasmodically, in combination with the closure of the glottis and the absence of air flow, a squeezed characteristic sound of inhalation is obtained.

Why does hiccups arise regardless of the will of a person? Any irritation of the vagus nerve provokes a reverse command from the parts of the spinal cord and brain responsible for the hiccuping process. The nerve impulse along the reflex arc passes to the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm, forcing them to contract. The arch is a path from the diaphragm through the vagus nerve to the brain, then back to the vagus nerve, and from there to the phrenic nerve and the muscles of the diaphragm. How to get rid of hiccups? Obviously, it is necessary to stop the transmission of the nerve impulse along the arc.This occurs when the respiratory center regains control of the diaphragm and muscles involved in the act of breathing.

Hiccups in adults

Hiccups in adults are physiological and pathological. Physiological (normal) refers to short-term infrequent contractions of the diaphragm of a healthy person, which pass on their own. Physiological hiccups in adults are associated with an uncomfortable position of the body, irritation of the esophagus and stomach with large, hot or cold pieces of food, hypothermia, stress, laughter.As a rule, it is episodic and does not last long. Hiccups due to diseases (pathological) can last for a long time, sometimes without stopping for several days. It happens:

• Central origin (for diseases of the brain and spinal cord, central nervous system, mental disorders).
• Peripheral origin – when the phrenic nerve emanating from the cervical spinal cord is affected. Hiccups are also referred to as peripheral, which is explained by irritation of the vagus nerve due to diseases of the stomach, esophagus and heart.
• Reflected – a type of peripheral hiccups that occurs in diseases of organs located far from the service area of ​​the phrenic nerve. It includes hiccups due to bowel disease, parasitic infection.
• Toxic hiccups are associated with the effects of harmful substances on the body. This includes alcohol and drug intoxication, poisoning by the products of microbial activity in an infectious disease, pathological changes in diabetes mellitus, severe renal failure, in which the kidneys lose the ability to remove toxins from the blood.

What to do with hiccups? It depends on its type. Physiological, as a rule, does not require any manipulation. You can stop it without medication, if you drink liquid in a special way or do exercises. Pathological hiccups from such manipulations may not go away, and then drug therapy is required.

Hiccups in women

Hiccups during pregnancy

Hiccups during pregnancy are a twofold phenomenon: both the woman herself and the baby inside her can hiccup.Why is this happening?

• The growing uterus squeezes the internal organs that support the diaphragm and cause its involuntary contractions.
• The worries of the expectant mother are another reason for hiccups. Nature intended that a person tenses his muscles in fear and impending danger. The tension of the diaphragm leads to the fact that it irritates the vagus nerve, which, in turn, causes its spasms.
• In almost the same way as fear, hypothermia also acts – it provokes muscle tension and excitement of the vagus nerve.
• Overeating, hasty appeasement of hunger, indigestion leads to the fact that there is a hiccup after eating. Air or large pieces of food passing through the esophagus into the stomach irritate the vagus nerve, which responds by contracting the diaphragm.
• An uncomfortable position of the body contributes to the fact that the internal organs touch the diaphragm, provoking hiccups. And since it is difficult for pregnant women for a long time to get comfortable for rest, the spasm of the diaphragm is not long in coming.

How to get rid of hiccups? You can use known means within reasonable limits – drink water in small sips, eat a bitter or sweet product. You should not test for yourself whether treatment with fear will help, because, in addition to getting rid of hiccups, it can provoke premature birth. You also need to refrain from deep inclinations if the gestation period is already long.

The best prophylactic remedy for hiccups after eating is not to get nervous, follow the diet, eat calmly and without haste.

Starting from the 25-26th week of pregnancy, expectant mothers can feel hiccups inside the baby. Why does it arise?

• The baby swallows amniotic fluid, which irritates the diaphragm. Most often this happens when he sucks on his thumb and trains the useful skill of swallowing and breathing.
• Hiccups in a child in the womb may mean that he reacts to the emotions of the mother and thus wants to communicate with the outside world.
• It is believed that prolonged and frequent hiccups indicate hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the fetus – with frequent movements, he tries to increase the supply of oxygen to himself. However, this statement is not entirely true. Perinatologists believe that hiccups, on the contrary, indicate that the fetal nervous system is developing correctly and is able to control important processes. Hiccuping, the child develops his own muscles. In addition, it is a useful massage of children’s internal organs. But if the baby hiccups too often and abruptly, kicks a lot and for a long time, this may be an indirect sign of hypoxia. You can clarify children’s well-being by counting movements, CTG, ultrasound with Doppler.

What to do if a baby hiccups in the womb? After all, he can selflessly hiccup at night, and his mother wants to rest.It will help here:

• Changing the position of the body to a more comfortable one.
• Evening walk.
• Refusal of sweets before bedtime.

Male hiccups

Men get hiccups more often than women. Sometimes this is due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. As you know, hiccups after alcohol occurs due to poisoning of the body and irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and esophagus. It can be protracted, and stops only after the symptoms of intoxication are eliminated.

There is one more feature – benign, sometimes inexplicable lingering hiccups (its other name is indomitable) in 4 out of 5 cases is also inherent in men. The number of attacks decreases over the years, but they are more severe. As a rule, even a comprehensive examination does not reveal the exact cause.

The consequences of prolonged hiccups are bad for your health. Complications include:

• Abnormal heart rhythm.
• Sleep disorder.
• Neuroses and depression.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

If prolonged hiccups are associated with serious damage to the phrenic nerve, it can be life threatening, because at the moment of hiccupping, the glottis closes, air ceases to flow into the lungs. A short-term lack of oxygen during normal hiccups does not affect the human condition. But when the spasm occurs constantly, the person may suffer from suffocation.

How to get rid of lingering hiccups? The drugs are selected by the doctor – muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, antipsychotics, blockade with the help of anesthetics. Self-treatment is dangerous, because the drugs used have many side effects, and the wrong dosage can be life threatening. In the case when the hiccups do not respond to conservative treatment, a surgical operation is performed – excision of the branches of the nerves that go to the diaphragm.

Hiccups in a child

As a rule, hiccups in a child are physiological and do not pose a threat to health.In this way, babies signal that they are cold, overeat or hungry, swallowed excess air while sucking, and are scared. It is easy to get rid of hiccups in babies – you just need to calm down, warm, feed or let the excess eaten burp.

Much less often, the hiccuping of babies means a pathology in the nervous system or anatomy.

In older childhood, it is common to have hiccups after eating, when children absorb food too quickly, especially large chunks, hot or cold.

Don’t worry if your baby hiccups infrequently and for a short time. Otherwise, it is better to see a doctor, because the reasons can be very serious, and a specialist needs to deal with them.

Hiccups in newborns

Hiccups after feeding

Hiccups in babies are a phenomenon that scares young inexperienced mothers. Experienced parents treat him much more calmly, because they know that in most cases it is not dangerous. “Bad” causes of hiccups indicating serious diseases (lesions of the spinal cord and brain, phrenic nerve, gastrointestinal tract) are usually accompanied by other symptoms, and doctors will pay attention to them even while the mother and baby are in the maternity hospital, or pediatricians during regular examinations.Well, if the child looks healthy, but makes a sound frightening to the parents, this may mean that he:

• Just ate
• Frozen
• Reacted with fright or laughter to external stimuli (light, sound, appeal)
• Hungry or thirsty

As a rule, babies begin to hiccup after they eat. Why does hiccups occur after feeding? The stomach filled with milk presses on the diaphragm, which begins to contract involuntarily.Carrying the baby in the arms in an upright position, with the tummy pressed against the mother, will help to stop the process. This position contributes to the fact that the baby will regurgitate excess air that was trapped during feeding, and the stomach will not press on the diaphragm. If you do not hold the baby in your arms, the hiccups after feeding can last a long time, because the milk in the stomach is not digested instantly, which means that it will press on the diaphragm for some time.

The second reason for hiccups is hypothermia.In this case, the body tries to warm primarily the vital organs, and increases the blood flow to them. The organs, having increased in size, put pressure on the diaphragm and excite the phrenic nerve. Warming up with clothes, a blanket or your own body will help stop hiccups in babies.

Symptoms of hiccups

Hiccups are a type of myoclonus in which rapid muscle contraction and relaxation leads to rapid twitching. It is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Sudden, for no apparent reason, a sharp contraction of the diaphragm with a simultaneous short breath.At the same time, the abdomen protrudes forward.
• Closing the epiglottis and glottis leads to the fact that a person makes a specific sound “Ik”.
• Physiological hiccups spontaneously end in a few minutes. Pathological can last a long time (sometimes up to several days).

Causes of hiccups

Why does hiccups appear suddenly “out of the blue”? Is it a disease or not? A healthy person can also hiccup, not for long and occasionally.But what to do with hiccups, when it is long and frequent, the doctor should answer, because this is already a pathology.

Causes of episodic hiccups

Hiccups in adults and children, which are episodic, are common. The reasons for this may be:

• Overeating, due to which the enlarged stomach touches the diaphragm and the vagus nerve. Hiccups may be preceded by a spasm of the muscles located at the entrance and exit of the stomach. It leads to the fact that neither air nor food can leave the stomach cavity, and a person feels heaviness.Babies are prone to hiccups after feeding for the same reasons.
• Foods that irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach and esophagus – spicy, salty, hot, cold. Irritation leads to activation of the vagus nerve.
• Drinking alcohol causes intoxication of the body, negatively affects the nervous system, irritates the gastrointestinal mucosa.
• Hypothermia provokes small muscle contractions (including the diaphragmatic muscles).
• Laughter disrupts the work of the breathing center due to the fact that a deep breath is replaced by a series of short, sharp exhalations.
• Fear, stress, fright affect the transmission of impulses from the brain to peripheral organs. In addition, the state of fear subconsciously makes a person tense the muscles, and this activates the vagus nerve.
• Another cause of episodic hiccups is the side effect of some short-term medications (mainly drugs for anesthesia).

Causes of prolonged or frequent hiccups

Long or recurring hiccups are common in some serious medical conditions.

Pathologies of the nervous system, when the nerves die, and the transmission of impulses from the brain to the diaphragm is disrupted. This happens in the following cases:

• Inflammation of the brain or spinal cord
• Brain trauma
• Stroke
• Brain tumors
• Multiple sclerosis

In addition, lesions can occur near peripheral nerves (phrenic and vagus)

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract contribute to irritation of the vagus nerve due to inflammation of the mucous membrane, the release of an excessive amount of hydrochloric acid, and structural anomalies.This is typical for:

• Stomach and duodenal ulcers
• Cholecystitis
• Pancreatitis
• Gastritis
• GERD

Cardiovascular disease can also affect the excitation of the vagus nerve:

• Heart attack
• Aortic aneurysm

Diseases of the chest organs affecting the vagus nerve:

Do not panic right away if you are only haunted by persistent hiccups. As a rule, serious illnesses are accompanied by other, more pronounced symptoms, which become noticeable earlier than pathological contractions of the diaphragm.

How to get rid of hiccups if they are long and frequent? It is necessary to treat the underlying disease that caused it. Symptomatic remedies, without eliminating the root cause, have only a temporary effect.

Hiccups after eating

Normally, hiccups after eating are an episodic occurrence that is normal for most people.

In one case, it is associated with short-term overfilling of the stomach with food and irritation of the diaphragm. Another reason is the stimulation of the vagus nerve during rapid swallowing of large pieces, hot and cold food, air entering the esophagus and stomach. Both situations are so common that some people find it common to hiccup right after a meal. In fact, they just systematically overeat or do not follow the rules of food intake, and therefore face regular hiccups.

How to quickly get rid of hiccups after eating? If you overeat, it is not worth drinking water to eliminate fluctuations in the diaphragm, because the stomach is already enlarged in volume and presses on it. You can just wait until the food is digested, and it is undesirable to go to bed, because in this position digestion slows down. But if the hiccups after eating appeared, because you ate little, but at the same time swallowed without chewing, a glass of water is quite appropriate.

Hiccups after alcohol

Hiccups after alcohol is an extremely unpleasant sensation that is difficult to get rid of.It poses a real threat to life, because a person can choke and choke in case of vomiting, especially if he falls asleep. Hiccups after alcohol sometimes last for several days and are painful for the patient. Why does it arise?

Alcohol in excessive quantities is a poison for the central and peripheral nervous system. They cause paralysis and muscle weakness, depressing those parts of the brain that are responsible for diaphragmatic contractions. Alcohol abuse causes the liver to enlarge and press on the diaphragm.If a person has gastrointestinal diseases, alcohol negatively affects their course and aggravates symptoms – heartburn, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, belching.

Persistent lingering hiccups that have arisen after taking alcohol and lasting more than 2 days requires special treatment. First of all, the patient is prescribed detoxification therapy. It is supplemented by the intake of muscle relaxants and antipsychotics, and, if necessary, by procedures that help stop diaphragm spasms:

• Stimulation of the vagus nerve endings through the nasal catheter.
• Carbon dioxide inhalation.

Medicines that are prescribed to stop alcoholic hiccups cannot be used on their own without a doctor’s prescription. In addition to the fact that these are potent drugs with a lot of side effects, their combination with previously taken alcoholic beverages can give a dangerous reaction. Therefore, you should not experiment with your health.

Diagnostics for hiccups

What to do when a person is worried about frequent hiccups? First you need to establish its reasons.The following methods are used for diagnosis:

Collecting anamnesis (history of previous life and diseases). It is necessary to clarify with the patient whether he had in the past, and whether there are now such diseases as:

• Damage to the central nervous system (stroke, infections, trauma, neoplasms, degenerative and demyelinating disorders)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Alcoholism
• Diseases of the gallbladder
• Diseases of the digestive system
• Renal failure
• Pericarditis
• Tumors of various origins
• Diseases of the chest organs (pleurisy, pneumonia)
• Lesion of the tympanic membrane
• Violations of the electrolyte balance of blood

Since the cause of hiccups may be the intake of certain medications (tranquilizers, barbiturates), you should check with the patient if he is taking them.

Physical diagnostic methods – examination, probing, tapping and listening. Here, the doctor must concentrate on finding the pathological cause of the hiccups and carefully examine the available areas: examine the peritoneum, chest, eardrum and nasopharynx, the diaphragm, esophagus, stomach.

Laboratory tests are necessary if the history and physical examination does not determine the cause of recurrent or frequent hiccups.To clarify the diagnosis, carry out:

• Analysis of the amount of electrolytes in the blood
• Study of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine

Radiation diagnostics allows you to determine why hiccups are not eliminated in simple ways and what is its cause. You can see tumors that compress the diaphragm or nerves leading to it, the affected parts of the brain using:

• Chest X-ray
• Computed and magnetic resonance imaging of the abdominal cavity, chest, head

Treatment of hiccups

As soon as an unpleasant sensation arose, I would like to stop it as soon as possible. This is especially true when the diaphragm spasms overtook in a crowded place, where specific sounds will undoubtedly attract the attention of others. Therefore, the most popular question that worries many is how to quickly get rid of hiccups. Various folk methods are used, from drinking water to push-ups. But they are all good if the person does not have serious pathologies. When hiccups are caused by other medical conditions, you need to seek medical help.

How to get rid of hiccups at home

Hiccups: how to get rid of if she was caught by surprise? Very simple methods can come in handy here:

Reflex – you need to press down the base of the tongue with your finger, as if causing vomiting.The action of this remedy for hiccups is based on the fact that the contraction of the esophagus after irritation blocks the spasms of the diaphragm.

A variation of the method is to stick your tongue out of your mouth and pull it out with your fingers for a few seconds. Do this several times in a row. In this way, the gag reflex can also be stimulated.

You can try to breathe in the air deeply, stop breathing for a while, and then exhale into an airtight bag or bag. The next breath is taken from the bag.As a result, the blood is saturated with carbon dioxide, irritated and the respiratory center of the brain begins to work properly.

Another popular way to get rid of hiccups at home is to drink a glass of cold water. You need to drink in small sips. The effect will be further enhanced if you tilt your body and move the glass forward as far away from you as possible.

This option offers a different way of drinking – you need to clasp your hands behind your back in the lock and quickly drink cool water from a mug held by the second person.In the described position of the body, the diaphragm relaxes, and hurried swallowing compresses it, as a result of which involuntary contractions will quickly stop.

Pathological spasms of the diaphragm can stop if something extremely bitter or sour is eaten.

A funny folk method on how to get rid of hiccups at home is tickling. The effect is based on the fact that, being cheerful from being tickled, a person tries to hold back his laughter, and with it he holds his breath.

“Sports” remedy for hiccups is the swing of the press or push-ups.

The next method is based on the fact that in a state of fright, the human body gives a stop signal to the part of the brain responsible for the hiccups. After that, the spasm of the diaphragm quickly disappears. Doctors consider this method unacceptable, because instead of hiccups, a person can get neurosis, and they suggest replacing it with a switch of attention.

Remedies for hiccups

There are special medications that can help fight hiccups.It is believed that drug therapy should be carried out if:

• The patient is worried about frequent frequent hiccups
• An attack of involuntary contractions of the diaphragm lasts more than 2 days
• Hiccups with heartburn and chest pain
• The cause of hiccups is a person’s diseases

To eliminate spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm, one or more drugs are used:

• Baclofen (baklosan) is a derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid. According to the mode of action, this is a muscle relaxant of central action, which reduces the activity and excitability of the diaphragm, has an antispasmodic effect.
• Chlorpromazine (chlorpromazine) is a neuroleptic that inhibits conditioned reflexes, reduces spontaneous motor activity and response to stimuli, and reduces skeletal muscle tone. First, the patient is injected intramuscularly or intravenously, and after the removal of acute symptoms, the drug is prescribed in the form of pills or coated tablets.
• The third way to stop hiccups is drugs related to prokinetics.These drugs (domperidone, itopride) stimulate the contraction of the gastrointestinal tract and promote accelerated gastric emptying. Cisapride-based products previously used to treat hiccups are now banned in the Russian Federation. Drugs-derivatives of metoclopramide, due to the large number of side effects, are recommended to be used with caution.
• Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole) reduce the release of hydrochloric acid and, in combination with prokinetics, help to eliminate hiccups due to acid-dependent gastrointestinal diseases.

In addition to drug therapy, there are several other ways to get rid of hiccups:

• Inhalation with carbon dioxide stimulates irritation and activation of the respiratory center.
• Stimulation of the vagus nerve by inserting a special catheter into the airway.

What to do with hiccups caused by pleurisy and other inflammation of the chest organs? Blockade of the vagus and phrenic nerve with novocaine will help.

Treatment of hiccups in babies

Hiccups in newborns with hypothermia, fright, hunger, thirst, or after feeding are common and do not require medication. Instead of looking for a magic pill, try these ways to help your baby:

• Carrying in an upright position after eating, pressing the abdomen against the body and stroking the back. This position contributes to the regurgitation of excess milk and the release of air trapped in the stomach.The baby’s hiccups will stop when the full stomach stops irritating the diaphragm.
• Feeding in the baby’s body position at an angle of 45º will avoid swallowing air.
• Following the child’s desires – if he does not want to eat, you should not persistently offer him a bottle or breast, because overfeeding leads to stomach pressure on the diaphragm.

Another way to get rid of hiccups at home is to give your baby a breast.Sucking correctly helps him calm down, even out breathing and relax his diaphragmatic muscles.

When artificial feeding is important, it is important to choose the right nipple with the correct hole size. If it is too large, the child chokes and overeats, and if it is small, it diligently sucks and swallows air. And in fact, and in another case, the hiccups after feeding will not keep you waiting long. The optimal opening in the nipple allows the baby to suck in the same rhythm as during breastfeeding – evenly, without effort or choking.

Sometimes doctors recommend safe medicines to treat problems in babies’ immature digestive systems. How to stop hiccups with these medications? Basically, for this, drugs from the carminative group are used – espumisan, beybikalm, subsimplex, etc. They relieve intestinal spasms and help get rid of accumulated gases. They need to be used regularly according to the instructions and only as prescribed by the doctor, some – at each feeding, and some – once or twice a day after the baby reaches the age of 28 days.

For the treatment of hiccups, which is caused by increased excitability of the nervous system, the following drugs are used:

• Antihistamines (promethazine) reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings and inhibit the work of the parts of the brain responsible for the contractile function of the diaphragm.
• Neuroleptics (chlorpromazine) reduce the sensitivity of the vagus nerve. They reduce agitation, have a hypnotic and antiemetic effect.
• If hiccups in newborns are associated with spasm of the phrenic muscles, antispasmodics (drotaverine, papaverine) are prescribed. They reduce the spasm of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, which causes relaxation of the diaphragm.

Treatment of diseases accompanied by hiccups

How to stop hiccups if it is a consequence of any disease? In this case, the usual methods (drinking water, holding your breath, tensing or relaxing muscles), as a rule, do not work. Therefore, the treatment of hiccups, in addition to symptomatic, consists in the treatment of the underlying disease.

Competent treatment of the disease that caused the hiccups is a guarantee that the unpleasant symptom will disappear.

Prevention of hiccups

Is there a cure for hiccups that can prevent it? If the phenomenon is episodic, prevention consists in a measured and unhurried diet of healthy food, limiting alcohol, avoiding stress and hypothermia, rest and sleep in a comfortable body position. All these measures allow not to provoke a situation when the vagus or phrenic nerve goes into a state of excitement.

Prevention of pathological hiccups means that it is necessary to prevent the causes of its appearance – to prevent the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, lungs, endocrine disorders.Regular medical examinations will help here, and, if necessary, examination and treatment of diseases in the initial, easiest stage.

Prevention of hiccups in newborns involves:

• Restriction in the menu of a nursing mother of foods that increase gas formation in the intestine (cabbage, tomatoes, legumes). These foods can cause bloating and hiccups in your baby.
• Mandatory wearing in a “column” at the end of feeding so that the baby can regurgitate excess food and trapped air.
• Refusal of force-feeding when the child is not hungry.
• Elimination of frightening and exciting events for children.
• Compliance with the optimal air temperature in the room – do not allow either overheating or hypothermia of the baby.

Hiccups are just a spasm of the diaphragm, but they don’t like it because of the strange sound, suddenness and unpleasant sensation. Even babies are not happy with hiccups. And although it usually passes quickly, no one wants to wait even 15 minutes until everything is over.Therefore, queries are written in Google and Yandex: “How to get rid of hiccups”, “How to quickly get rid of hiccups”, etc. But there is no universal remedy – someone helps a spoonful of sugar on the tongue, and someone – a large glass of water drunk in one gulp. And you also need to remember – if the hiccups are prolonged, repeated often and lasts a long time, this is a reason to consult a doctor to find out its cause.

Arpimed

Haloperidol should be taken orally.

The tablets should be taken with some water.

You must continue to take Haloperidol for as long as prescribed by your doctor. It may take some time before you feel the full effect of the drug.

It is necessary to stop taking the drug gradually, unless otherwise prescribed.

If you suddenly stop taking Haloperidol, you may experience the following symptoms:

Follow your doctor’s instructions closely

If you take more Haloperidol than the recommended amount

If you take more Haloperidol than recommended or if someone another has taken Haloperidol by mistake, it is necessary to see a doctor or the nearest hospital.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you notice or suspect any of the following effects. You may need urgent medical treatment.

• Thrombosis of veins, in particular of the lower extremities (symptoms include swelling, soreness and redness of the lower extremities), which can enter the lungs through blood vessels, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing.
• Sudden swelling of the face and throat, urticaria, severe irritation, redness or pustule formation on the skin. These can be symptoms of severe allergic reactions, although they are observed in only a small number of people.
• Development of a very serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome.Symptoms include:
• Rapid heartbeat, changes in blood pressure and excessive sweating accompanied by fever.
• Rapid breathing, muscle stiffness, impaired consciousness and coma.
• Increased level of creatine phosphokinase in the blood.

May affect fewer than 1 in 1000 people.

• Vas may develop an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). Arrhythmia can cause cardiac arrest. In elderly patients with dementia taking antipsychotics, a slight increase in mortality has been reported compared with patients not taking antipsychotics.The exact frequency of development has not been established.
• Twitching movements, slowness of movement, muscle stiffness, trembling and anxiety. Increased salivation, trembling or involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, jaw, larynx, rolling of the eyes. If you have any of these symptoms, you may need additional treatment.

Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of these conditions:

• Feeling restless or sleep disturbed.
• Headache

More than 1 in 10 people have these symptoms.

• Tremors, muscle stiffness, mask-like face, slow movements and shuffling, uneven gait.
• Feeling anxious, tired, depressed or sleepy.
• Feeling dizzy, especially when standing up.
• Symptoms of psychosis such as abnormal thoughts or visual, auditory hallucinations.
• Vision problems, including blurred vision and rapid eye movements.

Fewer than 1 in 10 people may have these symptoms.

• Liver dysfunctions, including yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, pale stools and dark urine.
• Entanglement
• Decrease in the level of leukocytes, which can lead to frequent infections.
• Convulsive seizures (epilepsy)
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Hormonal disorders that can lead to:
• to change in body weight
• to reproductive system dysfunctions such as erectile dysfunction.
• in some men to the development of breast edema or painful and prolonged erection.
• to loss of libido
• in some women to the development of irregular, painful or heavy menstruation, or to no menstruation.
• in some women to unexpected release of breast milk with painful sensations in the mammary glands.

Fewer than 1 in 100 people may have these symptoms.

Haloperidol can lead to the development of trismus (toxic spasm of the chewing muscles, leading to limitation of movement in the temporomandibular joint.)

Fewer than 1 in 1000 people may have this symptom.

• Bleeding or easy bruising. These symptoms are caused by a decrease in the level of platelets in the blood.
• Fluid retention in the body with negative effects on the brain resulting in weakness, fatigue or confusion.

The exact incidence of these side effects has not been identified.

Other side effects

Frequent side effects (affects fewer than 1 in 10 people)

• rash
• slow motion
• dry mouth
• nausea and vomiting
• constipation
• difficulty urinating

Uncommon side effects (may affect fewer than 1 in 100 people)

• hypersensitivity of the skin to sun rays
• increased sweating
• fever
• ankle edema

When taking Haloperidol, the following side effects were observed, but the incidence of these side effects was not identified.

• Exfoliation and peeling of the skin
• Skin inflammation (skin reddened, sensitive, warm to the touch)
• Low body temperature
• Taking Haloperidol during the last trimester of pregnancy may cause tremors, muscle rigidity and / or weakness, drowsiness, overexcitement, trouble breathing, and difficulty breastfeeding in newborns.

If your child has any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.

Influence on the results of biochemical tests:

• Test results showing abnormal liver function
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Abnormalities on the electrocardiogram (ECG)

Reporting side effects

If you notice any side effects, tell your doctor, pharmacist or pharmacist about it, including any side effects not listed in this leaflet.You can also report side effects to Arpimed LLC by going to the website www.arpimed.com and fill out the appropriate form “Report side effects or drug ineffectiveness” and to the Scientific Center for the Expertise of Drugs and Medical Technologies named after Academician E. Gabrielyan by going to the website www.pharm.am in the section “Report a side effect of the drug” and fill out the form “Card of messages about the side effect of the drug”. Scientific center hotline: +37410237665; +37498773368 By reporting side effects you are helping to gather more information on the safety of this medicine.

How to store Haloperidol

Haloperidol, 5 mg tablets .

The drug should be stored out of the reach of children, dry, protected from light at a temperature of 15 ⁰ C -25 ⁰ C.

• Shelf life – 3 years. Do not take Haloperidol after the expiry date printed on the drug packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of the specified month.
• Store tablets in a blister until it is time to take the drug.
• If the tablets are discolored or show other signs of deterioration, ask the pharmacist how to dispose of the drug

Important Information

This drug has been prescribed for you. Only your doctor can prescribe this drug for you. It should never be given to others. It can harm them even if they have similar symptoms.

If you have any further questions or concerns about taking this medicine after reading this leaflet, please ask your doctor or pharmacist. They have professional information regarding this drug so that they can advise you if you have additional questions or concerns.

Contents of the box and additional information

One Haloperidol 5 mg tablet contains:

active substance: haloperidol – 5 mg

excipients: microcrystalline cellulose, monohydrate lactose, disubstituted calcium phosphate, corn starch, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate.

What Haloperidol looks like and contents of the pack:

Haloperidol, 5 mg tablets:

Round, flat tablets of white or almost white color with small inclusions of a darker color, with a score on one side and a bevel on both sides.

Cardboard package containing 48 tablets (2 blisters of 24 tablets each) together with an enclosed leaflet.

Vacation conditions

Prescription

90,000 Scientists talked about the causes of hiccups

Hiccups are familiar to every person.We all suffer from this scourge from time to time, but scientists still disagree both on issues of its etiology and on issues of treatment. New decided to piece together everything we know about hiccups.

Attacks of hiccups, that is, spasms of the diaphragm, are caused by irritation of the digestive or respiratory organs. In Latin, the name for hiccups is singultus (from singult, which means “sigh” or “sob”). A person begins to hiccup in the womb, in childhood hiccups are especially frequent, with age, its attacks become less frequent.

Scientists have found that with hiccups, there is a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, as well as the intercostal muscles. This causes a rapid suction of air, which provokes a quick and noisy closure of the glottis.

Some researchers believe that the ability to search came to us from our amphibian ancestors: for example, frogs are able to quickly close various airways, depending on whether they breathe air or oxygen from water.

By the way, scientists say that each person’s hiccups are unique, like sneezing, and the rate of spasms can vary from 4 to 60 per minute.

Most often, the attack lasts only a few minutes, rarely – several hours. But if the hiccups do not stop for a very long time, this may indicate serious health problems, moreover, these attacks disrupt sleep, interfere with eating normally. In the United States, approximately 4,000 people a year are admitted to hospital with hiccups.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, Charles Osborne from Iowa hiccupped for the longest time in the world: his hiccups lasted 68 years.

To get rid of hiccups, humanity has come up with hundreds of means, most of which are at least strange: to stand on your head, eat a sugar scale, pull yourself by the tongue.Some methods do help, but most others just turn the hiccup into fun for the whole family.

Despite its prevalence, hiccups are still poorly understood. Dr. John Cullen of Alaska, who is also president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, complains that little attention has been paid to the study of hiccups. In his practice, he often encounters cases of fetal hiccups on an ultrasound scan, but he considers this a good signal, since hiccups contribute to the development of the lungs of the fetus.

Mark Fox, professor of gastroenterology at the University of Zurich and author of several works on the topic of hiccups, believes that there is a certain reflex arc of the hiccups, which includes the vagus and phrenic nerves. Together, these nerves extend from the brainstem into the abdominal cavity, spreading to the stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, lungs, and kidneys. Thus, irritation to any part of this chain can cause hiccups.

Among the most common causes of hiccups, Fox cites bloating in the stomach, which is located just below the diaphragm.This is often caused by drinking soda.

Also, hiccups can be triggered by eating very hot or spicy food, hastily eating food with swallowing air, alcohol, smoking cigarettes and vapes, as well as long laughter and even simple throat stroking. In addition, those who are stressed, do not sleep much, suffer from a lack of micronutrients, and have poor posture are more likely to hiccup.

More rare causes of hiccups are pneumonia and tumors in the brain, stomach, lungs, or diaphragm.People with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis are also more prone to hiccups. The same is true for people with diabetes and kidney disease. Hiccups can be caused both by the diseases themselves and by drugs for their treatment

But still, there are often cases when the cause of the hiccups is unclear. This is what Dr. Scott Gabbard, a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic, talks about the strangest treatments for hiccups. For example, many are sure that if the hiccup is scared, the hiccups will pass.Some people eat stale bread, others eat crushed ice or peanut butter, and one study on treating hiccups with rectal massage even won the Nobel Prize. In some particularly severe cases, the patient is given muscle relaxants or sedatives.

Meanwhile, Mr. Osborne, who has been hiccuping for almost 70 years, has not been helped by any of the usual remedies, including firing a gun right above his ear. He just learned to live with hiccups, and at the same time immortalized his name in the Guinness Book of Records.

Not so long ago, doctors told in what positions are the best to sleep. It turns out that sleeping on your stomach isn’t all that good.

Erosion of the esophagus – Symptoms, treatment

Erosion of the esophagus is a disease characterized by the appearance of defects on the mucous membrane of the esophagus. Usually, the inflammation complicates the hiatal hernia.

Very often this pathology goes unnoticed, as it has erased symptoms.Many people with this pathology are not even aware of its presence, attributing attacks of mild ailment to errors in nutrition.

Consult a gastroenterologist

Do not postpone treatment

Causes of erosion of the esophagus

The development of pathology can be caused by:

• increased intra-abdominal pressure
• weakening of the muscle tone of the esophagus
• reduction in the length of the esophagus due to the presence of a tumor or inflammation
• liver disease

• change in the diameter of the esophageal opening
• osteochondrosis (kyphosis) of the spine
• old age

The diseases listed above can provoke a hernia of the esophagus.And they, in turn, are capable of causing the development of mucosal erosion.

How does esophageal erosion

manifest itself?

The disease may not manifest itself in any way or have blurred symptoms. However, if patients go to a doctor, they most often complain about the appearance of pain behind the sternum or in the abdomen, radiating to different parts of the body. Pain syndrome is similar to the manifestation of angina pectoris.

Often, patients note the appearance of pain while eating or when changing the position of the body.These sensations are accompanied by a feeling of fullness and distention of the stomach. When a person changes position of the body, the manifestation of the symptom decreases.

The following conditions can also be attributed to the characteristic symptoms:

• pain when swallowing food
• frequent belching
• sudden hiccups

• vomiting
• production of large amounts of saliva
• bad breath

Diagnosis of esophageal erosion

The doctor collects anamnesis and asks the patient about the symptoms.If a pathology is suspected, an abdominal X-ray is prescribed. It will help detect the root cause of the development of the disease – a hernia or reflux.

In addition, it is recommended to conduct esophagotonokymography and colonoscopy (FKS), laboratory tests of blood and urine. Shown the delivery of feces for occult blood.

Esophageal erosion therapy

When a diagnosis is made, pills are prescribed to treat the disease. The action of the drugs is aimed at relieving inflammation, reducing the likelihood of contact of the esophagus with hydrochloric acid during reflux, and improving the ability of the intestines to cleanse.

To achieve a positive effect, it is worth taking medications strictly according to the scheme prescribed by the doctor. Several courses may be required to completely cure esophageal erosion. Further, the appointment of a preventive scheme is necessary.

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• A team of professionals. Candidates and doctors of medical sciences, professors and associate professors of departments of leading universities, doctors of the first and highest qualification categories work in the clinic 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We work without holidays and weekends to keep you healthy and happy.
• Regular professional development. Each doctor regularly undergoes refresher courses, attends seminars, goes on internships, participates in conferences, and is trained abroad.This helps to maintain the qualifications of doctors at the highest level. Today, AMK doctors’ training allows them to train young doctors, acting as experts at European level seminars.
• Advanced technologies. We regularly invest not only in training and professional development of personnel, but also in the acquisition of the most modern equipment from leading European manufacturers.
• The value of time. The American Medical Clinic has all the conditions for a comfortable comprehensive examination and diagnosis of a patient on the day of treatment.
• Customer confidence. For 25 years of impeccable work, more than 500,000 patients have entrusted their health to us. More than 80% of patients recommend us to their family and friends.
• Warranties. We are 100% responsible for the quality of the services provided, the high level of which is confirmed by many years of experience.The attention and sensitive attitude of doctors with more than ten years of experience in medical practice give a stable positive result.

See also:

90,000 Why do we hiccup after alcohol? | Helper

Hiccups are divided according to their duration. It can be episodic or short-term, lasting up to 10-15 minutes, persistent, lasting up to 2 days, and intractable, which can last a very long time, months or even years.Intractable hiccups are more common in men and, with prolonged existence, can cause dehydration, weight loss, insomnia, depression, and in severe cases can lead to death.

Where does it come from? Let’s figure it out.

A person has a chest cavity and an abdominal cavity. They are separated from each other by a muscular abdominal obstruction called the diaphragm. It is located under the lungs and heart directly on the digestive organs.The diaphragm is a muscle that participates in breathing, which, when stressed, allows air to enter and exit the lungs when relaxed.

The control nerves – the vagus and the sympathetic – pass through the rib cage, which connect to the diaphragm and branch out in it. If the nerve endings in the diaphragm are irritated, the impulse travels to the brain. The brain sends a return impulse to the diaphragm and causes it to contract at high speed. When the diaphragm contracts spasmodically, the lungs suddenly draw in air.When air passes through a covered or sharply narrowed glottis in the larynx, a sound similar to ik is produced.

The time between the convulsive contraction of the diaphragm and the appearance of sound is only a few thousandths of a second. When you hiccup, you don’t actually breathe, because when you make a sound, the glottis slams shut. Rhythmic spasms of the diaphragm cause hiccups.

Therefore, hiccups are an involuntary, usually equally repetitive, strong and short breath with a closed or sharply narrowed glottis, which occurs due to a sudden convulsive contraction of the diaphragm.

There is an assumption that hiccups are some kind of protective mechanism, like, for example, vomiting, but this is not at all the case. If vomiting, which occurs during alcohol intoxication or excessive alcohol consumption, is indeed a defense mechanism and tells us that there is already enough drinking, then there is no benefit from hiccups in principle.

There is another assumption in scientific works about the presence in the brain of a certain center of hiccups, which causes a spasm of the esophagus. This hypothesis suggests that hiccups are a defense mechanism against excessive food or fluid intake.But again, this is a bit different.

There are hiccups of central genesis, which occurs either as a result of poisoning, including alcoholic ones, which has a direct toxic effect on the central nervous system, or as a result of compression of certain parts of the brain, for example, a tumor or hematoma in trauma. The same can occur with cerebral edema in severe alcohol intoxication. This is in no way a defense mechanism against eating a large amount of food, but is a diagnostic sign of a disease or poisoning.

The most common cause of hiccups is irritation of the phrenic nerve branches. This is facilitated by the rapid absorption of food or liquid, accompanied by additional swallowing of air, which often happens when alcohol is consumed. Alcohol itself and what we eat it with, and often it is fatty food, slows down the emptying of the stomach and thereby leads to additional irritation of the diaphragm. It also provokes hiccups.

By itself, hiccups are usually harmless and pass quickly enough, but sometimes it can indicate serious illnesses and complications.When alcohol is consumed, the most frequent such diseases are diseases of the stomach, cardiac esophagus and liver, since it is precisely they that directly come into contact with the diaphragm. And with alcoholism, hiccups begin to bear a central and toxic character due to prolonged intoxication. In such patients, this hiccup can lead to the development of a heart attack.

To help yourself or a person who has had hiccups and does not go away, you need to do fairly simple things.Contrary to the most widespread belief, it is not worth scaring, since it does not help much, on the contrary, fright can lead either to the appearance of hiccups, or to its intensification, especially if a person is drunk.

Some simple tricks to stimulate the digestive system and oropharynx almost always work:

• do not drink any alcohol or smoke during the hiccups;
• you need to drink sweet plain water or ice water;
• to swallow, without chewing, small pieces of ice;
• eat a regular lemon;
• slowly eat a slice of stale bread or rusks;
• actively breathe into the package;
• take the tongue with your thumb and forefinger and pull it;
• tilt your head back, hold your breath and count to ten, then exhale quickly and immediately drink a glass of water.