

Hiccups are typically intermittent, with episodes usually lasting fewer than 24 hours. 1 This contraction leads to sudden inspiration and nearly simultaneous closure of the glottis, resulting in the classic hiccup sound. Singultus, more commonly known as a hiccup, is an involuntary, spasmodic contraction of the intercostal muscles and diaphragm. Remedies have long been touted as effective treatments for acute hiccups include holding your breath, eating a spoonful of sugar, asking someone to scare you, and drinking a glass of water very quickly.Īre hiccups just mysteries that annoy us, or can there be serious implications associated with hiccups that require medical treatment? In most cases, hiccups onset with no known cause and are quite bothersome. So that could mean fewer cans of soda, trying not to rush what you eat and thinking about whether you need certain things before you consume them, such as alcohol, chewing gum or very spicy foods.Nearly everyone has experienced a hiccup at least once in their lives.
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8 How to help prevent hiccupsĪs long as your hiccups only last a little while, they are unlikely to make you seek treatment or prevention advice.īut it is wise to use the irritation of hiccups to help you eat more mindfully as our modern ‘on-the-go’ lifestyles can often prompt the type of behaviours that can lead to hiccups. Some think this might help the diaphragm soften and relax. One of the reasons that breathing into a paper bag and holding your breath might help is that it causes a buildup of carbon dioxide in your lungs.

So, stress or excitement could stimulate the nerve, as could a lot of actions connected with eating or drinking.įor example, chewing gum, drinking fizzy drinks, eating spicy foods, or swallowing a lot of air could all irritate the nerve. This is because it is actually an irritation of the nerve connecting the abdominal muscle to your brain.

There are psychological and physical reasons that the diaphragm can become irritated.
