Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions (spasms) of the diaphragm muscle. When the muscle spasms, the vocal cords snap shut, producing the hiccup sound.
Hiccups may also be spelled "hiccoughs" and are medically known as SDF (synchronous diaphragmatic flutter) or singultus.
Most of the time, there is no obvious cause for hiccups. However, there are some common known causes of hiccups.
- Eating too quickly and swallowing air along with foods.
- Eating too much fatty or spicy foods or drinking too much-carbonated beverages or alcohol.
- Abdominal surgery can also irritate the nerves that control the diaphragm, causing hiccups.
- Strokes or brain tumors involving the brain stem, and some chronic medical disorders such as renal failure.
- noxious fumes can also trigger hiccups.
sudden changes in temperature.
- fear or excitement and emotional stress
- Some medications, such as opiates, benzodiazepines, anesthesia, corticosteroids, barbiturates, and methyldopa are known to cause hiccups.
Most cases of hiccups resolved themselves in a short period of time, the hiccups that last less than 48 hours do not usually need any medical attention.
The majority of persistent hiccups are caused by injury or irritation to either the vagus or phrenic nerve.
The vagus and phrenic nerves control the movement of your diaphragm.
The diaphragm regulates breathing. When your diaphragm contracts, your lungs take in oxygen.
Some treatments for hiccups: According to the National Health Service (NHS), UK, the following steps have been known to help some patients with hiccups:
- Sip ice-cold water slowly.
- Hold your breath for a short time, breath out, then do it again three or four times - do this every 20 minutes.
- Place gentle pressure on your diaphragm.
- Gargle with very cold water.
- Breath into a paper bag (note: you should never cover your head with the bag).
- Sit down and hug your knees as close to your chest as you can for a short period of time.
