Every person in this life has experienced hiccups at least once. It is an unpleasant convulsive contraction of the diaphragm that causes an attack. But what causes hiccups? Why does she appear absolutely suddenly? Why sometimes attacks last a long time, and sometimes a few minutes? We will answer these questions in more detail in this article.
Mechanical process
Speaking about what causes hiccups, one should pay attention to the fact that the occurrence of such an attack is a physiological process that appears against the background of a shrinking diaphragm. The reason for the appearance lies in the load on the so-called vagus nerve. This nerve is present in everyone in the body. It carries out the innervation of the mucous membrane and throughout the body. The vagus nerve connects the central nervous system with the actions of internal organs. It is located directly in the chest, and through a small hole in the diaphragm passes into the peritoneum and to other organs.
The diagram itself consists of tendons and muscles, and its septum is too narrow. If the nerve works fine, then it should send commands to the brain, as a result of which the diaphragm contracts, and the glottis begins to close and an unpleasant sound appears, which we call hiccups.
What arises from?
Specialists also highlight some of the reasons, factors that result in an attack. In addition, you should pay attention to the fact that a symptom can occur due to various ailments. However, to begin with, one should consider the reasons why hiccups arise that are not associated with diseases. These include:
- Quick meal. The fact is that with the rapid use of products, large, not chewed pieces fall into the stomach, which begin to injure and irritate the vagus nerve described above.
- Severe overeating. Why does hiccups occur after eating? A large amount of food consumed can stretch the stomach, as a result of which it comes into contact with the diaphragm, thereby irritating it.
- Eating food in an uncomfortable position. After eating, hiccups occur if consumed in an uncomfortable position. Experts advise eating at a table while sitting, otherwise the nerve will contract, and the diaphragm will begin to contract frantically. The result is hiccups.
- Eating dry food. Too cold or hot food, as well as drinks, dry food can cause an unpleasant symptom.
- Fright. When a person is suddenly frightened of something, he exhales sharply, which is why the diaphragm begins to become irritated.
- The use of carbonated drinks. When a person drinks soda in large quantities, then the stomach begins to burst, which presses on the vagus nerve.
- Microtrauma of the vagus nerve. When the nerve is injured, the diaphragm contracts to thereby get rid of this injury, which is why a hiccup attack occurs.
- Alcohol abuse. In adults, hiccups can occur as a result of excessive drinking. Toxins provoke an increase in the liver, muscle relaxation. That is why drunk people often hiccup.
- Hiccups for smoking. Such an unpleasant symptom can also occur due to smoking. Experts explain this by the fact that the sphincter, which entails the release of acid into the esophagus, irritates the diaphragm, is weakened. In addition, smokers observe poisoning by combustion products, as well as the absorption of smoke together with air.
- Speaking about why hiccups arise, you should also pay attention to the fact that this is due to hypothermia. In most cases, this applies to young children. The observed attack may appear if a person experiences some kind of severe stress.
The cause of the disease
So, we examined above that the often occurring hiccups are observed in most cases due to overeating or improper eating. However, there are also diseases that can trigger this symptom. If the attack lasts for more than 2 days, then it is imperative to visit a specialist, examine the body, after which treatment will be prescribed. So, we will consider why an adult hiccup occurs, from which diseases. These include:
- Hypermotor dyskinesia. In this case, the contents of the stomach constantly irritate the esophagus, thereby provoking attacks of hiccups. In addition, there is another symptomatology: cough, tension of the cervical muscles, heartburn.
- Hernia in the diaphragm. As a result of this diagnosis, hiccups can occur immediately after eating food and when you change the position of your body. In some cases, the symptom is accompanied by a slight soreness in the sternum or abdomen. As a result of the development of such a hernia, internal organs begin to shift, which is why shortness of breath appears, as well as frequent heart rhythms.
- Abnormal lung function. In this case, in addition to hiccups, people also begin to lose hair, drowsiness, constant yawning appear.
- Cervicothoracic sciatica. In this case, the roots on the spinal cord are affected, the tone of the diaphragm increases, the liver shifts down. Long hiccups in this case also begin to be accompanied by discomfort in the throat, the appearance of a coma that a person cannot swallow.
- Incorrect functioning of the central nervous system. This can occur due to swelling, infection, injury. What causes chronic hiccups in adults? It can trigger a stroke, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, encephalitis.
- Intracranial pressure. In this case, hiccups are excruciating and strong.
- Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. Answering the question of what causes hiccups in humans, it is mandatory to mention diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This should include gastritis, ulcer, pancreatitis, as well as various problems of the excretory system of bile.
- Oncology. Cancers of the lungs, stomach, esophagus, pancreas, liver can provoke an attack.
If you do not know why hiccups occur in children, then the above diseases can also be accompanied by a similar symptom. That is why it is imperative that you do not ignore the attack, especially if it lasts for a long time.
Other causes of hiccups
Other reasons why hiccups may occur should also be highlighted. They are not associated with the development of the disease. This should include chemotherapy or anesthesia. As a rule, after such manipulations a person can hiccup for a long time and often. With some surgical interventions that are associated with the respiratory system, an unpleasant symptom can also occur.
How to get rid of hiccups?
Despite all of the above causes and factors that provoke hiccups, medicine is not able to name the specific causes of this symptom. That is why at present there is still no universal tool that can save a person from this scourge. However, do not be upset about this, as you can use several reliable and proven methods to solve this problem at home.
First of all, you should stop the spasm of the esophagus and diaphragm. This can be done by holding your breath or distracting attention. In most cases, this is quite enough to deal with the problem. But if hiccups occur in a person constantly, and the attack is protracted, it is best to seek help from a specialist who should prescribe an ultrasound of the esophagus, identifying the main cause of the symptom, after which adequate treatment will be prescribed.
Below we will consider ways to get rid of hiccups that you can use yourself at home.
Reflex method
To do this, press the finger on the base of the tongue, as if you are provoking vomiting. Thanks to the spasm of the esophagus, the contraction of the diaphragm is removed, and the hiccup recedes.
Drinking water
A very effective method is ordinary water. To do this, you need to drink a large glass of drinking water, but in small sips. In this way, you can remove all particles of the remainder of the food from the throat, as a result of which their effects on the nerve that passes in this place are eliminated. You can also drink water by tilting your torso, moving the glass away from you.
Sour or Bitter
To get rid of hiccups, you can swallow something very sour or bitter. To do this, you can eat a spoonful of vinegar diluted with water. When the solution enters the digestive system, cramping should stop.
Sugar
To get rid of hiccups, you can put granulated sugar on your tongue. Swallow it. You can also dissolve one tablespoon of granulated sugar in two tablespoons of beer, and then drink the mixture.
Breath
Try to take a deep breath several times, hold your breath for the maximum time. After that, exhale the air in a paper bag, and, breathing in, take a breath from the same bag. Thanks to this, blood is filled with carbon dioxide, and hiccups pass much faster.
Money Bet
This may sound a little silly and strange, but this method often helped get rid of hiccups. If a person starts to hiccup, then get the money from the wallet and put it on the table. Make a bet with a hiccuping person that he will stop hiccuping in a couple of minutes. It is very surprising, but often in such situations, hiccups pass literally instantly.
Press or push ups
If hiccups tortured you, then download the press or push up until the moment when the attack completely leaves you. This method is effective, but it is not suitable for everyone.
Sticking out tongue
If hiccups tortured you, then try to stick your tongue out, then pull it and hold it in this position for 5-10 seconds. This method was the most favorite of all for getting rid of hiccups by President Kennedy's personal doctor.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that hiccups are a very unpleasant and annoying condition. But if such an attack bothers you too often and for a long time, then this is an occasion to consult a doctor. As mentioned earlier, a similar symptom can occur with the development of various diseases, so do not ignore it.