Why hiccups occur?

In its most basic form, it is a reflection. It occurs when a sudden contraction of the diaphragm causes the muscles in your chest and abdomen to shake. Then the glottis, or the part of the throat where the vocal cords meet, is closed. This creates the noise of the air being expelled from the lungs, or the sound of involuntary “hiccups”. Things that irritate the stomach or cause it to expand rapidly often trigger hiccups. This includes the things we eat, as well as how much and how quickly we eat.

There is no way to anticipate it. With each spasm, there is usually a slight tension in the chest or throat before making the distinctive hiccuping sound. Most cases start and end abruptly, for no apparent reason.

Causes of hiccups

Numerous sources of having this annoying unintentional act have been identified. However, there is no definitive list of triggers. Hiccups often come and go for no apparent reason. Possible common short-term causes of hiccups include:

• Eat excessively
• Eat spicy food
• To drink alcohol
• Drink carbonated beverages, such as soda
• Eating very hot or very cold food
• Sudden change in air temperature
• Swallowing air while chewing gum
• Emotion or emotional stress
• Aerophagia (swallowing too much air)

In the case of lasting more than 48 hours, they are classified according to the type of irritant that originates. Most persistent hiccups are due to injury or irritation to the vagus or phrenic nerve. The vagus and phrenic nerves control the movement of your diaphragm. These nerves can be affected by irritation of the eardrum, a sore throat, a goiter, gastroesophageal reflux, an esophageal tumor or cyst. Other causes of hiccups can affect the central nervous system.

Hiccups that last longer periods can also be caused by:

• Alcohol abuse
• Tobacco use
• Anesthesia reaction after surgery
• Certain classes of medications, including barbiturates, steroids, and tranquilizers
• Diabetes
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Renal insufficiency
• Arteriovenous malformation (a condition in which arteries and veins become entangled in the brain)
• Cancer and chemotherapy treatments
• Parkinson’s disease (a degenerative disease of the brain)

Can it be treated? Home remedies for hiccups

Most hiccups are not something urgent or anything to worry about. However, a prolonged episode can be uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life. It is recommended to see a doctor if we have hiccups that last more than two days. Only the specialist can determine the severity of hiccups in relation to general health and other conditions.

There are numerous options to treat it. Usually a short-term hiccup will resolve itself. However, the discomfort can make the wait unbearable if it lasts more than a few minutes. Although none of these tricks have been shown to stop hiccups, the following treatments can be tried at home:

• Breathe into a paper bag.
• Eat a teaspoon of granulated sugar.
• Hold your breath.
• Drink a glass of cold water.
• Pull your tongue.
• You try to gasp or burp on purpose.
• Bring your knees to your chest and hold this position.
• Relax and breathe in a slow, controlled manner.
• Take three sips of water. In the first I sip and say aloud: Hiccup of God, in the second: Saint Peter gave it to me and in the third: It was already taken from me.
• Drink ice water. Drinking cold water slowly can help stimulate the vagus nerve.
• Drink from the opposite side of the glass. Tilt the glass up under your chin to drink from the other side.
• Slowly drink a glass of warm water while still breathing.
• Drink water with a cloth or paper towel. Cover a glass of cold water with a cloth or paper towel and sip.
• Suck on an ice cube. Suck on the ice cube for a few minutes and then swallow it once it has been reduced to a reasonable size.
• Gargle with ice water. Gargle with ice water for 30 seconds.
• Eat a tablespoon of honey or peanut butter. Let it dissolve a bit in your mouth before swallowing.
• Suck on a lemon. Some people add a little salt to their lemon wedge. Rinse your mouth with water to protect your teeth from citric acid.
• Put a drop of vinegar on your tongue.

If you still have hiccups after 48 hours, see a doctor. Gastric lavage (pumping of the stomach) or carotid sinus massage (rubbing the main carotid artery in the neck) may be attempted. If the cause of your hiccups isn’t clear, your doctor may recommend doing some tests. These can help detect any underlying disease or condition.

How to avoid the appearance of hiccups?

Hiccups can occur at any age. Even while the fetus is still in the mother’s womb. However, there are several factors that can increase the likelihood of developing it. For example, we may be more susceptible if we have undergone general anesthesia, if we have had abdominal surgery or if we are men.

Unfortunately, there is no proven method to prevent hiccups. Anything that irritates our esophagus or causes stomach distention can cause hiccups after eating. However, if we suffer it frequently, we can try to reduce exposure to known triggers. Some of the following acts you can promote their appearance:

• Do not eat in excess.
• Avoid carbonated drinks.
• Do not drink very cold liquids.
• Do not talk while eating.
• Protect ourselves from sudden changes in temperature.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Stay calm and try to avoid strong emotional or physical reactions.
• Not eating too fast
• Avoid highly acidic foods.