Hiccup: what it is, causes and how to stop the discomfort

The buzz of the room subsided, the room fell silent, and suddenly came that resounding hic. The scene, common since the time of school, represents well what is the hiccup, this slightly funny symptom that, at the same time, can cause much discomfort and embarrassment. Not to mention that it can indicate more serious problems when it occurs too often or persistently.

Here is a quick guide to the subject. While you can't control the problem 100%, the good news is that you can identify the root causes and stop the problem when it appears.

Why do we hiccup? Know the causes

Hiccup, as everyone learns in the field, is an involuntary process. "It's a lack of coordination of the diaphragm, the muscle that divides the thorax of the abdomen," explains Dr. Débora Poli, a gastroenterologist at Santa Paula Hospital. "It's like a spasm, an unusual contraction of that muscle," he adds. With these spasms comes the closure of the glottis, which impairs the passage of air to the lungs, causing us to hiccup.

Here are some of the key stimuli associated with it:

• Overeating and too fast: overeating leads to a distension of the stomach that can cause abnormal diaphragm movements.
• Take alcoholic or carbonated drinks: Also because they lead to stomach distension, beverages such as beer, soda and even sparkling water can cause hiccups.
• Laugh a lot: In this case, the abnormal stimulus is due to the excessive swallowing of air.
• Mix foods at different temperatures: Eating very hot foods while having a very cold drink can also cause involuntary spasm of the diaphragm.
• Gastrointestinal Diseases: Reflux, esophagitis and laryngitis are some of the diseases that usually have hiccup as a symptom.

According to Dr. Deborah, it is not yet known exactly what causes the spasms. What is known is that there is a nerve that controls the movements of the diaphragm, so "any extra stimulus can generate hiccups," he says.

Also read: 9 Things You Should Never Do on an Empty Stomach

3 Recommended Tips To Stop The Hiccup

Since the mechanisms that generate the hiccups are not yet clear to science, it is also difficult to talk about foolproof solutions. However, just as through experiences and observations it has been possible to identify some habits associated with hiccups, science has realized that measures transmitted since the time of our grandparents are also grounded.

"These are techniques of increasing abdominal volume to alter the stimulation of the diaphragm-related nerve," explains Dr. Debora Poli. She cites the most recommended:

1. Hold your breath for a few seconds: The key is to take a deep breath first, preferably filling the abdomen instead of the chest. That done, hold your breath for as long as you can.
2. Consume something very cold: One tip is to eat crushed ice. This ensures the temperature required to change the diaphragm stimulus.
3. Gargle with water: in the bathroom, gargle normally until the sobs stop.

And the scare, does it work? It will depend on the intensity, as a scare can release adrenaline, able to regulate the functioning of the nerve attached to the diaphragm. However, the chance of this really happening is slim, not worth the effort of working out a plan to scare someone. Better stick with less exciting but more effective techniques.

When should I go to the doctor?

In general, even without the use of homemade tactics, the hiccup usually disappears within a few minutes and is not harmful to health. The problem is when it is persistent, lasting more than 24 hours.

In such cases, the recommendation is to seek medical advice, as hiccup is a symptom associated with from simple diseases such as reflux to tumors, neurological diseases and trauma, such as an accident that has affected the diaphragm.

Read also: Bilberry Tea: A Great Ally for Digestion

If you do not have prolonged hiccups, but suffer from the problem every other day, to the point of annoyance, you can also seek help. "In the vast majority, we found nothing of greater severity," explains the doctor. But she says it is possible to prescribe specific remedies to be taken during seizures that reduce discomfort.

Hiccup in babies

Despite the frequent concern of first-time parents, when asked about the hiccups in babies, the doctor relaxes and clarifies that this is where the hiccup is even more normal! It is something expected, and is much more common in the baby than in the adult ?, says.

As explained, This is because, even after delivery, the baby is still in formation, including its digestive and neurological system, which are linked to the hiccup. So don't worry if your baby has frequent or even everyday hiccups. However, if the problem persists after one year of life, or if you are actually creating difficulties for your child, it is worth consulting with a pediatrician. Gastric reflux may be behind the discomfort.

What to do to stop and how to avoid

Squeeze the baby's wrist, put a little ribbon on his forehead? "Is all this belief?" Comments Dr. Debora. As it is not possible to ask the baby to hold his breath or gargle, the way out, according to the expert, is to wait for the hiccup to pass naturally.

As a preventive measure, be aware of the noises and the pace of breastfeeding. Swallowing too much air or breastfeeding too much is aggravating the hiccup, so if you notice anything to that effect, try to fit the baby's mouth into the halo of the breast instead of just the nipple and take small breaks in breastfeeding, removing the breast whenever think he's going too thirsty for the pot.

Read also: Constipation: Learn more about this common evil among women

Overall, the hiccup is just a nuisance that deserves no further concern. You should see a doctor only if the problem is persistent and is affecting you in any way.

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