- Published on: Aug 14, 2021
- 2 minute read
- By: Dr Rajan Choudhary
Hiccups Are Caused By Involuntary Contractions Of Your Diaphragm
What causes hiccups?
Hiccups are caused by involuntary contractions of the muscles on both sides of your diaphragm that create a sound when air is forced through them. Hiccups may also occur as a result of toxins, irregular heart rates, anxiety and many other things too. With Second Medic you can talk with an online doctor about what might be causing hiccups and get treatment in minutes.
Hiccups are usually the result of eating too quickly, drinking carbonated drinks, or swallowing a big mouthful of air when eating or drinking. The solution is to drink them slowly and avoid fizzy water. Surgery, viral infections (like the flu), neurotransmitter problems, pregnancy complications can also cause hiccups. Allergies (to food additives or inhalants such as dust) are rarely the cause. Lastly, alcohol and sedatives are sometimes prescribed for chronic hiccups that have no other identifiable causes but may not work in all cases. Some patients with excessive breath-holding spells can be helped by keeping an eye on their signs of wheezing to see if they need medical attention urgently, and one method
Hiccups are traditionally treated as a harmless ailment. The actual cause of hiccups is unknown, but they may be triggered by an imbalance between the brain's neural control and the stomach's digestive activity, leading to spasms in the diaphragm muscle. This is known as a "spasmic hiccup." Other causes might include dyspepsia, smoking, alcohol consumption, or anything that prevents food from moving easily through the digestive system such as swollen gastrointestinal tissues or tumors in the region. Vigorous exercise and overeating can also be responsible for triggering them.
It's unclear what exactly causes the sensation of a hiccup but may be related to the vagus nerve. Hiccups may also be caused by eating too quickly or from sucking in spicy foods.
Hiccups happen when we swallow air as we eat, drink, or try to talk. The open door at the top end of our food pipe (pharynx) is normally closed off by tissue and muscles known as pharyngoesophageal constrictors that relax like slacking spring on a hair trigger whenever anything goes down into our stomachs. If we don't get enough air while swallowing some type of drink with gas bubbles in it, then those bubbles can cause tickleness and tension in these
The common medical explanation for the cause of hiccups is that they are caused by an involuntary spasm in the diaphragm muscle. With every inhalation, the diaphragm relaxes to create space for air to fill up inside your lungs. When a person experiences hiccups, their diaphragm spasms, creating negative pressure instead of positive pressure and halting breathing.
The traditional home remedy was to feed a spoonful of sugar; however, this false idea has been debunked as it can actually lead to more hiccups! It's important not confuse these dry heaves while choking with true vomiting symptoms so please seek medical attention if necessary.
Hiccups are triggered by either an irritation in the diaphragm or a muscle spasm.
A hiccup is called "the glottal skid" because it does not have to involve the voicebox (or vocal cords). When you suck air into your lungs, you pull it through the vocal cords because these muscles are attached to your ribcage. Using a breathing technique that focuses on expanding the abdomen instead of using closed mouth and throat breathing can help prevent hiccups when they do occur. Yoga is also great for relaxing tight abdominals so that this muscle doesn't contract too suddenly and cause a negative reaction. If all else fails, acupuncture may be another way to get rid of them altogether.
Hiccups happen because of fluid buildup in the diaphragm that pushes against your voice box.
The usual causes for hiccups are a bad cough, an airway blockage, or a sudden gasp of surprise. Other reasons can be related to eating fast (causing air bubbles) or from medications such as marijuana, sedatives and hypnotics, asthma medication "salbutamol" or various antidepressants.