In addition to being annoying, hiccups are harmless to health and often go away on their own in a few seconds or minutes. But when you do, you want to stop hiccups right away. This way is advice.
Hiccup definition and facts
Hiccups are a phenomenon that occurs when you inhale deeply without purpose. Hiccups happen when the diaphragm suddenly contracts, causing the chest muscles to function continuously. Less than a second later – exactly 35 milliseconds – the gap between your vocal cords unexpectedly closes, and from there comes the “hiccup” sound.
It is fascinating to hear, but it will not be fun if you are a victim of hiccups. In addition to being annoying, hiccups are harmless to health and usually go away after a few seconds or minutes.
What causes hiccups?
Most of the time, there is no apparent cause for hiccups. Nevertheless, there are some popularly known causes of hiccups.
Some causes of hiccups include:
- Eating too quickly and swallowing air along with many foods.
- Overeating (fatty or spicy foods, in particular) or drinking too much (carbonatedbeveragesor alcohol) can distend the stomach and irritate the diaphragm. These can cause hiccups.
- Any disease or disorder that disturbs the nerves that control the diaphragm (liver disease,pneumonia, or other lung disorders).
- Abdominal surgery can also irritate the nerves that manage the diaphragm, causing hiccups.
- Strokes orbrain tumorsaffecting the brain stem, and some chronic medical disorders (such asrenal failure) have also been summarized to cause hiccups.
- Noxious fumes could also trigger hiccups.
- Sudden changes in temperature
- Fear or excitement
Some medications might also have hiccups as a side effect, for example:
- Remedies foracid reflux
- Mostbenzodiazepines, includingdiazepam(Valium),alprazolam(Xanax), andlorazepam(Ativan)
- And Levodopa,nicotine, andondansetron(Zofran)
Exciting things about hiccups that you probably don’t know:
• Most often in the evening
• Usually occurs before menstruation for women
• Only affects the diaphragm – 80% during hiccups, generally on the left.
How to treat hiccups? Some of the following tips will help you dispel an unpleasant hiccup effectively:
Massage the palate
Use a cotton ball to roll slowly from the area of your upper jaw to pull down to the throat to create a vomit reflex. This way will quickly stop your hiccups.
Use peanut butter
Eating peanut butter stimulates the vagus nerve directly and makes you stop hiccup immediately.
Drinking water slowly can help hiccups.
Eat a spoonful of sugar
Eating a little sugar will help you run out of hiccups quickly. Put a spoonful of sugar into your mouth, chew slowly, and swallow.
Put your finger inside the ear
Place your finger inside the ear and hold it for 5 minutes. Push your finger in your ear, avoiding pushing hard as it can damage the ear. Branches of the vagus nerve also expand in the ears and fingers will stimulate them to stop hiccups.
Fear yourself
Fear stimulates nerves to cause hiccups. So do what you fear to do. If there is no way to stop it well for you, try this way. This way may sound strange, but it is an effective way to heal quickly.
Hold the breath
Take a deep breath and hold it for as long as possible. This way will strain the diaphragm and prevent it from contracting. The membrane causes hiccups, and when contractions stop, the hiccups will also terminate automatically. Repeat this action a few times.
Drink or rinse your mouth with water
Drinking water or gargling can disrupt nerves that cause hiccups. Drink water slowly and continuously to hiccup.
Breathe into a paper bag
This way will increase carbon dioxide in your blood and cause the body to distract the hiccup as it must focus on the accumulation of accumulated carbon dioxide. This way is also one of the right ways to heal immediately.
Use antacids
Use a spoonful of acid repellent, which contains much magnesium. This way will soothe the nerves causing hiccups and help you stop hiccups quickly.
Cough, belching, or sneezing
Cough, belching, sneezing cause the diaphragm to contract and thereby stop the hiccups. So if possible, create these reflexes.
Ice
Sucking the ice soothes irritated nerves. Hold an ice in your mouth or gently rub it on your face. Thanks to someone who suddenly rubs rocks on your face, it is away. The sudden cold feeling will stop you from a hiccup.
Honey and lemon
Eating lemon and honey will stimulate the vagus nerves that travel straight from the brain to the stomach. Studies have shown that doing this a few times will be highly effective.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture will be the best option for people with prolonged and frequent hiccups.
Stick your tongue out
This way will stimulate the vagus nerve, expand sound nerves, and reduce contractions, causing hiccups.
Use a pencil
Hold a pencil horizontally in your mouth, and try to take a few sips of water so that the pen won’t fall off. Although a bit difficult, this is an excellent way to prevent hiccups.
When do you need to see a doctor?
Look to doctors when hiccups occur for more than 48 hours, or they affect your ability to breathe or eat. There are many drugs that doctors can use to treat hiccups, such as anticonvulsants and tranquilizers. Or body massage can also be useful.
A common cause of frequent hiccups is gastroesophageal reflux disease. At this point, you need to see a doctor if you suspect that you have this disease to treat the cause of the hiccup.
Also, you can read some article like “How to Get Rid Of Bad Breath“, “How to Stop Yourself From Overthinking“, ” How to Stop A Baby from Crying At Night“,… to know more!
Good luck to you!