The hiccup is a spasm of the diaphragm and chest muscles, but when it becomes constant it may indicate some type of irritation of the phrenic and vagus nerves, which innervate the diaphragm, due to situations such as reflux, consumption of alcoholic or carbonated drinks, as well as fast breathing for example.
Most of the time, hiccups are harmless and pass in a few minutes or with stimuli like holding your breath, blowing, drinking cold water or making a gargle, for example, however, the constant hiccup is characterized by several episodes of hiccups during the day , for several days in a row.
When the hiccup becomes constant, it is important to investigate the cause, as there may be some important neurological change, impairment of the gastrointestinal or respiratory tract, requiring medical evaluation to better determine the cause and indicate the appropriate treatment.
What can be constant hiccups and what to do?
What can it be?
The main causes of constant hiccups include:
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Excessive consumption of carbonated drinks, such as soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages;
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Excessive consumption of foods that can increase gas production, dilating the stomach, such as cabbage, broccoli, peas and brown rice, for example.
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Gastrointestinal diseases, such as esophagitis, gastroenteritis and reflux, mainly, which corresponds to the return of the contents of the stomach to the stomach and towards the mouth, causing pain, inflammation and causing hiccups.
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Changes in the respiratory system whether due to diseases such as pneumonia, for example, or increased respiratory rate after strenuous physical exercise, for example, by decreasing the concentration of CO2 in the bloodstream;
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Electrolytic changes, that is, changes in the concentration of calcium, potassium and sodium in the body;
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Neurological diseases that can alter the control of respiratory muscles, such as brain tumour and multiple sclerosis, for example.
In addition, constant hiccups may arise after surgical procedures in the chest or abdomen, as it may cause some type of stimulation or irritation in the diaphragm region. These causes are closely related to the occurrence of hiccups, however, it is not yet known what actually leads to the occurrence of these spasms.
How to stop hiccups quickly?
To quickly stop the hiccup episodes, which happen due to a rapid and involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, it is possible to follow some tips that make the nerves and muscles of the chest region work again at the proper pace. Some of these tips are to drink cold water, hold your breath for a few seconds and let it out slowly.
When the hiccup is persistent and lasts for more than 1 day, it is necessary to consult a general practitioner to assess the causes of the hiccup and indicate a treatment with suitable medications, which can be gabapentin, metoclopramide and baclofen.
Thus, in order to stop hiccups effectively and definitively, it is important to eliminate their cause, which may be the dilation of the stomach due to overeating or overeating, ingestion of alcoholic beverages and even diseases of the brain, such as meningitis, for example.
9 tips to stop hiccups
Hiccups usually last a few seconds, and homemade techniques can be performed to make them disappear more quickly. These techniques are popular and not all have scientific proof, and the results may vary from person to person. These tips are most useful in cases of sudden and infrequent hiccups, and can be:
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Drink a glass of ice water , or suck on ice, as it stimulates the nerves of the chest;
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Put a cold compress on your face to help control your breathing;
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Hold your breath as much as you can or breathe in a paper bag, as it increases the levels of CO2 in the blood, and stimulates the nervous system;
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Breathe deeply and slowly , to stretch the diaphragm and muscles of breathing;
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Take a fright, as it releases adrenaline that interferes with brain functioning and stimulates muscle nerves;
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Make splashing movements , as this helps the diaphragm to function properly again;
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Drink some water with the trunk tilted forward or upside down, as this relaxes the diaphragm;
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Cover the nose and exert force to release the air , contracting the chest, called the Valsalva maneuver, which is another way of stimulating the nerves of the chest;
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Eat a spoonful of sugar , honey, lemon, ginger or vinegar, as these are substances that stimulate the taste buds, overload the nerves of the mouth and occupy the brain with other stimuli, making the diaphragm relax.
In the newborn baby or even inside the mother’s womb, hiccups can be caused because the diaphragm and respiratory muscles are still developing, and reflux after ■■■■■■■■■■■■■ is very common. In these cases, it is recommended to ■■■■■■■■■■ the child or, if the stomach is already full, to burp.
Home remedies to cure hiccups
Hiccups can be uncomfortable, but they can be easily eliminated with some homemade measures that stimulate the vagus nerve, which is a nerve in the brain that reaches the stomach and regulates the activity of the diaphragm, being able to stop the hiccups.
Thus, homemade solutions to stop hiccups involve methods to increase the concentration of CO2 in the blood or to stimulate the vagus nerve. One of the homemade options to cure hiccups is to stick out your tongue and rub your eyes, as well as lying on your stomach. These two techniques stimulate the vagus nerve, which can stop hiccups. Other homemade ways to stop hiccups are:
1. Drink cold water
An excellent home remedy to cure hiccups is to drink a glass of cold water or gargle with water. In addition to water, eating crushed ice or crusty bread can also be useful ways to reduce hiccups, because they stimulate the vagus nerve.
2. Breathing
Another good home remedy to cure hiccups is to breathe into a paper bag for a few minutes. In addition, holding your breath for as long as you can, can also, in most people, stop the hiccup, as it increases the concentration of CO2 in the blood and stimulates the nerves.
A more effective and permanent way to avoid hiccups is through activities such as yoga, pilates and meditation, as they help to control your breathing.
3. Vinegar or sugar
Drinking a teaspoon of vinegar or ingesting a little sugar can stop the hiccup, as these two foods are able to stimulate the vagus nerve.
4. Valsava manoeuvre
The waltz manoeuvre consists of covering the nose with the hand and making force to release the air, contracting the chest. This technique is also very effective in stopping hiccups.
5. Lemon
The lemon is a great option to cure hiccups, as it is able to stimulate the nerve, causing the hiccup to stop. You can take 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, or mix the juice of half a lemon with a little water.
What to do to stop the baby hiccup?
Some tips to stop the baby from sobbing are:
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Putting the baby to ■■■■■■■■■■: this can be a good solution for the moment, if it is at the right time, as the act of sucking can reduce the reflex of the diaphragm;
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Observe the position at the time of feeding: keeping the baby with the head higher, decreasing the chances that he will swallow the air during suction can greatly reduce the episodes of hiccups.
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Take breaks during feedings and put the baby on its feet: it can be a good strategy if it is common to have hiccups after ■■■■■■■■■■■■■, as this way the baby burps and reduces the excess gas in the stomach;
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Knowing the time to stop: it is important to know when the baby has already eaten enough, as a very full stomach facilitates reflux episodes of contractions of the diaphragm;
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Place in an upright position: in the moments of hiccups, if the baby has a full stomach, it is recommended to leave him in the position to burp, standing, as it facilitates the escape of gases in the stomach;
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Warm the baby: the cold can also trigger the hiccup, so whenever the temperature drops, it is recommended to keep the baby warm and warm;
Usually, with these measures, the hiccups in babies disappear on their own and do not need to be treated, since it does not pose any risk to health, is just a little uncomfortable. However, homemade techniques should be avoided, such as frightening or shaking the baby, as they have little effect and can be harmful to the child.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When is a hiccup dangerous?
And when we hiccup too much, the air enters the lungs with great force and the alveoli swell, which can cause muscle pain in the belly and also in the head. Hiccups in the elderly can be dangerous because the alveoli are more fragile, especially in smokers. Young children should also be careful.
2. What can cause hiccups?
The hiccup is a spasm of the diaphragm and chest muscles, but when it becomes constant it may indicate some type of irritation of the phrenic and vagus nerves, which innervate the diaphragm, due to situations such as reflux, consumption of alcoholic or carbonated drinks, as well as fast breathing for example.
3. How to stop hiccups by squeezing your finger?
Some doctors recommend that you put your fingers in your ears to stop the hiccups . The branches of the vagus nerve also extend into the auditory system and, by stimulating the ends of the nerve there, the vagus nerve kicks in.