Hiccups: do you often suffer from hiccups? What causes them and how to stop them?

Hiccups are a relatively common condition affecting people of all ages. As well as being accompanied by a typical sound, they tend to be uncomfortable and can be quite painful.

Almost everyone has experienced it at least sometimes.

From English:
Hiccup, hiccough, synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (SDF)
It is technically referred to as singultus.

Hiccups occur quite often, especially in young children. Some people struggle with it regularly. And even frequent occurrence may not indicate a health problem.

Can it also be a symptom of disease?

You ask:
Why does hiccups occur?
Can hiccups be dangerous?
Why is it common in children?
How to stop hiccupping and get rid of hiccups?

What is hiccups?

A singultus is defined as a sudden spasm, contraction, spasm of the diaphragm. The underlying irritation that triggers a reflex action.

Or simply:

It is a reflex movement of the diaphragm that is involuntary and rapid.

The contraction of the diaphragm also causes the vocal cords and the laryngeal appendage (epiglottis) to close. This causes the typical hiccup sound, which is different in each individual.

The diaphragm is a powerful breathing muscle that also separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Rapid contraction of the diaphragm > sharp intake of breath > narrowing of the vocal cords = hiccup sound.

The rhythm of hiccups is rapid and usually regular. A single and normal bout of hiccups resolves itself after some time.

In some cases it lasts a short time, in others longer. People try to end the condition quickly by various mechanisms.

During hiccups, in addition to the sound, there is a typical movement of the head, neck, chest, shoulders, abdomen, or the whole body.

Painful attacks are particularly unpleasant. The pain runs along the digestive tube up to the diaphragm and stomach. Chest pain may give the impression of a more serious illness.

The pain may also move laterally to the diaphragm.

Why does this condition occur?

What are the causes of hiccups?

Singultus can be caused by minor conditions, but it can also be caused by certain health problems. It is reported that more than 100 different causes of hiccups have been found. And that's a lot.

In this article, we list the most common ones. Read on...

Hiccups are a reflex action that occurs after a certain irritation. It is commonly started, for example, by overeating and binge eating, when a person swallows more air with a mouthful.

And carbonated beverages are also a good example of a trigger. They can be responsible for numerous and recurrent bouts of unpleasant hiccups.

We're all different and have different reactions. For some people, stress and an overdose of emotion can trigger it.

These triggers represent benign or physiological hiccups. There are also some disease states for which it is a symptom.

Hiccups are divided into:

1. physiological (benign): a normal condition, not indicative of disease
2. pathological (disease): as a result of disease and other pathological conditions, irritation of nerves, brain

Irritation of nerves results in pathological singultus. It involves irritation of the nerves of the diaphragm (phrenic nerve) or vagus (nervus vagus), but also of the brain (CNS - central nervous system) and the respiratory centre.

Suspicion is especially necessary when hiccups occur and persist or recur for a long time.

And what if the hiccups do not stop, are constant, unremitting or last all day?

It is reported that:
Persistent hiccups (also known as persistent singultus) are 75% caused by gastrointestinal disease (disease of the digestive system).

Subsequently, the brain, organs and structures in the chest or abdominal cavity may be affected.

Thus, there may be several pathological causes. Examples are:

• head trauma
• abdominal hernia
• diaphragmatic hernia (diaphragmatic hiatal hernia)
• tumour of the nervous system or in the thoracic region, in the mediastinum (the space between the lungs), for example lymphoma
• inflammation of the diaphragm
• inflammation of the abdominal cavity, for example peritonitis
• diseases of the CNS, brain, stroke, multiple sclerosis, inflammation of the brain
• cardiovascular diseases (pericarditis, heart attack)
• diseases of the respiratory system(pneumonia, bronchitis, tumour)
• liver damage
• ulcer of the stomach and duodenum
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
• tumour of the stomach and pancreas
• hiccups after alcohol and alcoholism
• medications such as anaesthetics, opiates, corticosteroids, antiepileptics and others
• diabetes (decompensated diabetes mellitus)
• uraemia
• fever
• changes in electrolyte levels, reduced sodium levels
• disturbance of acid-base balance
• toxic action
• inhalation of irritants
• drugs
• postoperative hiccups and vagus nerve damage during surgery
• psychological disorders

The accumulated air has to get out of the stomach...

And lest we forget the non-serious conditions, an example is:

• Gastric distension, technically gastric distension, due to
  • overeating - too large portions of food
  • binge and fast eating
  • binge eating/drinking - the amount of air swallowed with food and liquids
  • swallowing large chunks of food
  • carbonated drinks
  • incorrect breathing and speaking technique
• emotions and psychological tension, excitement
• rapid changes in temperature and alternation of heat and cold,
• but also hot or cold foods and drinks
• spicy food
• tobacco products - smoking
• and excessive laughter

And other undetected and unknown causes...

Can it have complications?

Hiccups can be escaped if we remove the factors that trigger them. However, if it is a long-term problem, do not postpone a professional examination.

Persistent hiccups have a negative effect on a person's psyche. It can also be responsible for conditions such as dehydration, hunger or fatigue, sleep disorders.

A rare complication is aspiration (inhalation of a foreign body). In this case, it is the contents of the stomach, as reflux into the esophagus also occurs.

Hiccups are common in pregnant women, fetuses, newborns or young children

In pregnant women, hiccups can be a sign of a marked disproportion between the abdominal and thoracic cavities. Both the fetus and the uterus are enlarging and pushing everything upwards.

For the same reason, reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus occurs more often during pregnancy.

Pregnant women very often experience fetal hiccups.

Baby hiccups in the abdomen:

• it is a natural condition
• is a manifestation of physiological activities, for example, sucking
• hiccups can start as early as the second month of pregnancy
• according to several scientific opinions, it is a remnant of the sucking reflex, which remains in humans to this day
• Hiccups are most often caused by the baby swallowing amniotic fluid
• There's nothing you can do about it, no "guaranteed advice" will help.
• Hiccups must go away on their own

Hiccups in newborns are a common condition anyway. There is no need to be particularly worried about them if they do not persist for too long.

The baby swallows air together with the food (milk). The stomach capacity is adjusted by burping and also by hiccups.

Behind the reflux and vomiting of food is the sphincter, which is not yet mature enough. Also for this reason, gastroesophageal reflux is common in this period.

+ Recurrent vomiting and hiccups are often the result of poor breastfeeding technique.

Even changes in ambient temperature can be a cause. At this age, this is true many times over.

A young baby does not have sufficient ability to maintain a reasonable body temperature. Hiccups may be a signal that the newborn is exposed to cold.

Therefore, it is necessary to think about appropriate clothing for such small children, newborns, infants, including overlapping the head.

You ask:

How to prevent hiccups and stop hiccups at this age?

• Feed more often, in smaller amounts
• take breaks with burping
• Make sure your baby is properly latched on to the breast
• feed in an elevated position, at about 30°
• after finishing eating, the baby must be in the elevated position for at least 30 minutes
• patting the back with the palm of the hand will help
  • in a bottom-up direction
  • hold the baby in your arms in a typical over-the-shoulder position
• you can try hiccups
  • squeeze the bottom soft part of the nose with two fingers
  • hold your breath for 5 seconds, no more, by covering your mouth (if the baby is healthy!!!)
  • Putting the baby to the breast again can also help
  • a raised position is important, possibly briefly on the left side

Read also:
Hiccups in a newborn are completely natural. Why do they occur and what to do?

How to get rid of hiccups effectively?

People try to limit hiccups to as short a time as possible.
So how do you stop hiccupping?
Are there any sure-fire ways?

There are several folk tips on how to get rid of hiccups. However, they may not help everyone, and each method of help suits everyone.

There are several examples of how to stop hiccups:

• drink a glass of cold (ice) water
• drink water for a longer period of time, at least 10 seconds
• Swallowing emptily
• pulling the knees to the chest and leaning forward
• do 10 squats
• hold your breath, even as you progress
  • exhale fully
  • then take a deep breath
  • Hold the breath for 10 seconds
  • Exhale twice + 5 seconds between breaths
  • breathe for a short time into a paper bag
• place a sugar cube on the tongue
• drink a glass of water upside down
• a drop of lemon juice on the tongue (be careful with allergy sufferers)
• people even try to scare you...

Remember:
If you suffer from persistent and persistently uncomfortable singultus (over 24 to 48 hours), see a doctor.
It may or may not be a more serious problem or illness.

An examination will be followed by professional treatment.

The following will serve to diagnose:

• medical history (personal, current illness, medication, allergies, family history)
• blood and electrolyte tests
• X-RAY
• CT
• USG
• MRI
• endoscopic examination of the esophagus, stomach