Hiccups – why do hiccups happen? Has it ever occurred to you, for no apparent reason, to start hiccuping without being able to stop?
And just when you think it’s over and you just forget about the discomfort, the hiccups come back. Hiccups are an unwanted and uncontrolled contraction of the diaphragm, which can be repeated several times in a minute.
The contraction is followed by a sudden closure of the vocal cords, resulting in a characteristic sound. Although the sound itself often causes laughter among those present, hiccups can be unpleasant and irritating.
It is uncomfortable if it is repeated, especially when it is repeated for a long time. In most cases, the hiccups stop after just a few minutes.
If the hiccups last for days, it may be a sign of kidney disease, ovarian disease, or pneumonia. But most often it is only a consequence of the cold drink you drank with the meal.
Eating too fast, drinking hot liquids, spicy foods, unexpected surprises, a sudden change in temperature are just some of the possible causes of hiccups.
Why do hiccups happen?
The most common causes of hiccups are:
- Eating too fast or overeating;
- Strong emotions such as fear, anxiety, joy, or euphoria;
- Consumption of carbonated beverages;
- Eating dry or spicy foods;
- Change in stomach temperature – drinking a cold drink immediately after a hot drink;
- Consumption of alcohol in large quantities;
- Loud laughter.
What can hiccups suggest?
You eating too fast
The rapid absorption of food presupposes poor processing in the oral cavity.
When large bites of food fall into the stomach, accompanied by an abundant amount of air, the result is prolonged and unpleasant hiccups.
All of this can cause the abdominal muscles to ache at some point.
You have a stuffy nose or inflamed sinuses
When the passage of air through the nose is prevented, we instinctively breathe it into our mouth to deliver oxygen to the body.
This, however, again indicates the absorption of air that goes directly into the abdomen and causes swelling and discomfort.
Mixing with stomach enzymes and an acidic environment causes actions that create stomach cramps.
You may suffer from reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux, or colloquial acid reflux, is a serious gastrointestinal condition that requires special treatment.
If hiccups are accompanied by acids, they are probably the basis of its occurrence.
You are under stress
Emotional stress can cause prolonged hiccups. If you also experience hiccups due to stress, think about how you can relax.
Is daily hiccups a sign of cancer?
Hiccups may indicate brain cancer. It can also be a sign of cancer of the stomach or lymph nodes.
You may have pneumonia
Prolonged hiccups can be a sign of pneumonia. Hiccups are listed as an early and atypical symptom of pneumonia, so beware!
Inflammation of the central nervous system
Hiccups can be one of the symptoms of inflammation of the central nervous system, in addition to characteristic symptoms such as vomiting, vision loss, and nausea.
Stroke symptom
Hiccups combined with nausea, confusion, and general weakness are symptoms of a stroke that the patient feels just before, or a few days before, the stroke.
Possible myocardial infarction
If you cry incessantly for several days, it may mean that you have a heart attack.
You suffer from a stomach ulcer
Sufferers of stomach ulcers also cry very often. The condition is provoked by severe irritation of the gastric mucosa.
This causes smooth muscle cramps and creates uncomfortable, strong, and prolonged hiccups.
Why do hiccups happen in babies?
Hiccups do not harm the baby. While hiccups may cause discomfort in adults, in infants it causes only minor anxiety.
Newborns often hiccup, and it normally lasts up to eight minutes. Scientists believe that this is how they learn to control breathing.
Then two brain waves are connected to the sensation in the chest, and the third is a reaction to the sound associated with contraction.
Hiccups cause the diaphragm to move abruptly, so the brain “trains” the baby to control that muscle.
Hiccups begin in the womb and are common several months after birth. Because the diaphragm is not yet able to fully control the flow of air.
How to stop baby hiccups?
Hiccups do not harm the baby. While hiccups may cause discomfort in adults, in infants it causes only minor anxiety.
It is usually good to let the baby stop hiccuping.
If you are concerned you can:
Take a break for the baby to belch – when the stomach is full of air, it can push the diaphragm, causing cramps.
Taking a break from feeding to belching can reduce the amount of air in your baby’s stomach. It can prevent hiccups.
Use a lying pacifier – can help relax the diaphragm and prevent hiccups.
Massage your baby’s back – rubbing his back and rocking forward – back can help him relax, which can stop the cramps caused by hiccups.
What not to do about baby hiccups?
- -Bounce or shake the baby.
- -To pull out his tongue.
- -Give him water to drink while lying down.
How to prevent hiccups in adults?
The hiccups usually disappear within a few minutes. Only in rare cases is it a sign of a more serious health problem.
If the hiccups do not stop within 48 hours, seek professional help. There are many different ways you can stop ordinary hiccups.
Some of them may seem ridiculous, but they are worth the chance. Inhale and hold the air inside you for as long as possible.
This is one of the most famous methods, but if it still seems strange and amazing, here is a little explanation of how it helps you.
Air retention causes carbon dioxide to accumulate, which causes the diaphragm to relax. Take a deep breath and count to 10 slowly before exhaling. Repeat the same 3-4 times.
Why do hiccups happen and how to stop
Drink cold water. Quickly drink 10 small sips of cold water, or gargle with cold water.
Eat a teaspoon of sugar or honey. Breathe in a paper bag.
If you do not have a paper bag, cover your nose and mouth with your palms and breathe for a while.
Stick out your tongue. Stick out your tongue hard to stop the hiccups.
Gently plug your ears. Carefully close the ear canals with your palms or fingers for 20-30 seconds. Many claims that this is the “cure” for boring hiccups. Bite a slice of lemon or take a small sip of vinegar.
The sour taste helps to get rid of hiccups. Raise your knees to your chest and hug them tightly.
With the thumb of one hand press the palm of the other hand – the stronger, the better. You can also press the tip of your left thumb with your right index finger and hold for 30 seconds.
Mild pain will distract from the hiccups. An effective “cure” against hiccups is to suck ice cubes. You can also melt a cube of sugar in your mouth.
If it is too mild, do the same with a slice of ginger or a slice of lemon. Persistent hiccups will be stopped by a small amount of fear.
Any distraction or change in the breathing cycle helps to stop hiccups.
All you can do to avoid hiccups is to avoid potential known causes.
However, untreated and prolonged hiccups can be dangerous to health.
Hiccups are uncontrolled contractions of the diaphragm, a muscle located just below the lungs that mark the boundary between the chest and the abdomen. The diaphragm regulates breathing.
There is no way to predict why do hiccups happen
A diaphragm that contracts differently from a normal rhythm causes hiccups. Each contraction of the diaphragm causes the larynx and vocal cords to close at the same time.
This results in a sudden rush of air into the lungs. The body responds with a sudden sigh that creates a distinctive sound. Hiccups can occur at any age, even in the fetus in the womb.
Can hiccups be prevented?
There is no way to predict why do hiccups happen. Most cases start and end suddenly and abruptly, for no particular reason.
Episodes generally last only a few minutes, but hiccups can be intermittent and last for more than 48 hours or even months.
Many of the causes of hiccups are known, but to date, there is no definitive list of causes or triggers for this health phenomenon.
The cause is usually unknown. Most hiccups should not worry about you. However, prolonged episodes can be uncomfortable and interfere with normal activities.
Your doctor can best determine the severity of the hiccups and the severity of your overall health.
Are hiccups dangerous?
Prolonged and incessant hiccups can be very uncomfortable and even dangerous to health. Prolonged hiccups can lead to nausea and vomiting.
If prolonged hiccups are left untreated, sleep and eating disorders can occur, leading to:
- Insomnia;
- Fatigue;
- Malnutrition;
- Weight loss;
- Dehydration.
Conclusion
Hiccups are a common occurrence in infants, children, and adults. Usually, the hiccups stop in a short time without any consequences.
It rarely happens that the hiccups do not stop for a long period of time from 24 to 48 hours. If the hiccups do not stop then you should consult a doctor.
There are several ways to stop hiccups: drinking water, holding your breath for a few seconds, abruptly distracting yourself, gently plugging your ears, and other methods.
When we hiccup more often it can be a sign of potential disease in our body. Hiccups are not dangerous, but very rarely can sometimes cause side effects.
