Fun Facts About Hiccups

Overview

There are lots of question associated with hiccups, a lot of myth and assumptions. Hiccups are common and most people will have hiccups at some time. Most people have taken hiccups to be a ‘way of life’. 

It is important to know why you hiccup, the causes, and how to get rid of it. 

What are Hiccups?

Hiccups are reflex actions.

The involuntary contraction of the diaphragm muscle (the muscle that separates your lungs from your abdomen) causing the vocal cords to snap shut, producing a weird and annoying sound called the hiccups.

The medical term used to describe hiccup is singultus, a Latin word for ‘grasp’ or ‘sob’. Most of the time, hiccups are temporary, though very annoying, prolonged hiccups may be a sign of a major health problem.

Everyone, both men and women get hiccups equally often, research also shows that hiccups can occur in foetus while still in the uterus. 

What Causes Hiccups?

However, there are some common known causes of hiccups, which include:

• Eating too much: Consuming too much spicy and fatty foods or drinking too much of carbonated drink or alcohol. This food can inflate the stomach causing irritation to the diaphragm, leading to hiccups.

• Eating too quickly: When food is eaten too fast, the probability of swallowing air along with the food is high.

• Emotional stress: Fear and over-excitement can also contribute to hiccup.

• Climate change: Sudden temperature changes can cause one to have hiccups.

• Some medications have hiccups has its side effect, examples are Xanax, benzodiazepines, lorazepam, nicotine.

Hiccups that last more than 48hours can be a symptom for underlying medical conditions and should be treated as soon as possible. Long term hiccup can cause severe damage to the diaphragm nerves. Once this symptom is noticed report to your doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment.

How to Get Rid of Hiccups

There are several home remedies to cure your hiccups.

Try some of these methods at home: 

• Drink a glass of cold water: Close your nose while swallowing the cold water. Coldwater helps to stop irritation produced in the diaphragm, thereby stopping hiccup.

• Hold your breath: Inhale a large gulp of air, hold your breath for ten seconds, then slowly breathe out. Repeat if necessary. 

• Hug your knees: Sit comfortably and bring your knees to your chest and hold them for about two minutes

• Pull-on your tongue: Grab the tip of your tongue and pull it forward gently once or twice.

• Gargle ice water for thirty seconds. Repeat if necessary.

• Take a spoonful of honey, allow it to dissolve in your mouth before swallowing.

Conclusion

Following the home remedies above can help you get rid of hiccups fast. Hiccups that last for two days or more should be taken with utmost priority, see a doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatments.

Thank you for always reading.

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