What causes hiccups and how to get rid of them?

One of the most annoying medical phenomena, hiccups affect us all, but what are the hiccups and the "hic" sound that accompanies it?

A hiccup is an involuntary movement, or spasm, of the diaphragm, this is the muscle at the base of the lungs. The spasm is followed by a rapid closure of the vocal cords, which in turn produces the distinctive "Hic" sound.

The medical term for hiccups is Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter (SDF), or singultus, which is Latin for the act of catching your breath while sobbing. Hypos are caused by involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, which cause the vocal cords to become spasms.

Contractions can be caused by a number of things like eating too much, drinking too much alcohol or carbonated drinks, even stress or sudden changes in temperature, according to the Mayo Clinic website.

Most people have a hiccup 4 to 60 times per minute during a hiccups attack, all have a specific pattern of hiccups for life. Hiccups are only found in mammals, and are more common in babies.

The average hiccup lasts from a few minutes to a couple of hours, however, it is known that some people suffer episodes of hiccups that last for days, months or even years. According to Guinness World Records, Charles Osborne of Anthon, Iowa, USA. UU., Holds the record of continuous hiccups. I hiccup continuously for 68 years, from 1922 to 1990!

Common causes of hiccups include:
Tickling
Smoking
Noxious fumes
Swallowing air
Hyperventilation
Abdominal surgery
Talking or laughing
Drinking carbonated drinks
Stroke or tumor that affects the brain.
Eat very hot or very cold foods.
Eat too much - especially spicy food
Nervousness, anxiety or excitement.
Gastroesophageal reflux - Gerd or heat burning - (stomach acid that recedes into the esophagus)
A disease or disorder that irritates the nerves that control the diaphragm (such as pleurisy or pneumonia)

Methods to get rid of hiccups:
Some of the most popular hiccups cures work by stimulating the nasopharynx, this is the part of the pharynx behind the tonsils that continues with the nasal passage. These remedies include biting a lemon, drinking from the other side of a glass or pulling the tongue.

Gargle with ice water.

Place a couple of drops of vinegar in the mouth.

Put your fingers in your ears for 20 to 30 seconds.

Gently press your nose while swallowing.

Take nine or ten quick sips followed by a glass of water.

Bring your knees to your chest and hug them for a couple of minutes.

Place a teaspoon of sugar or honey in your mouth. When it melts, swallow it.

Take a thin slice of lemon, place it on your tongue and suck it like a candy.

Press the soft areas behind the lobes of your ears, just below the base of the skull.

Some people find that if they consume pop and burp their hiccups disappear.

Squeeze the ball of your left thumb between the thumb and the index on the right.

Press the palm of your hand with the thumb of the other hand; The harder the better.

Breathe and hold your breath for about 10 seconds, then exhale slowly. Repeat 3 or 4 times.

Take a deep breath and hold on. When there is an accumulation of carbon dioxide in your lungs, your diaphragm relaxes.

Hold your breath for 30 seconds: exhale slowly until your lungs are empty. Repeat 4 to 5 times or until you feel better.

Cover your hands over your nose and mouth, but continue breathing normally - Relieve the extra dose of carbon dioxide.

Breathe in a paper bag. Breathing in a paper bag increases the amount of carbon dioxide you are taking, which forces your body to get rid of it.

Place 4 or 5 drops of Bitters Angostora on a slice of lemon and bite into the wedge sucking the juice. You can add sugar to the lemon to facilitate the taste.

When standing, rest your head on your knees (as if trying to touch your toes) and drink a few drinks of water from a bottle of water.

If you want to try even more methods, here is a list of 250 ways to help eliminate setbacks: www.musanim.com/mam/hiccup.htm

The hiccups that last more than 48 hours can be classified into:
Persistent or prolonged hiccups : episode of hiccups that lasts more than 48 hours.

Intractable hiccups: an attack of hiccups that lasts more than a month.

Prescription medications for hiccups:


A doctor should be consulted if he has the hiccups for 48 hours or more, as there are several medications prescribed for persistent hiccups, including:

Nifedipine - A medicine for blood pressure.

Gabapentin: prescribed for pain and neuropathic hiccups.

Haloperidol: antipsychotic medication that can help prevent hiccups.

Baclofen (Lioresal): a muscle relaxant sometimes prescribed for the treatment of hiccups.

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine): an antipsychotic medication that is commonly used for hiccups.

Metoclopramide (Reglan): a medicine used to treat nausea and helps empty the stomach that also works for hiccups.

Other medications include antiarrhythmic medications, anticonvulsant medications, stimulants and amitriptyline, but these are used less frequently.