Do you often get hiccups? (Hiccups) Let's find out exactly what this is!

When we are having a nice conversation with a group of people, or when we are eating a delicious meal, we suddenly hear a "hiccup!" sound, right? Another one... another one... sometimes it comes so much that we can't stop. This is what we call hiccups. This is really annoying. Although most of the time it goes away on its own in a few minutes, for some people it can be a big headache that lasts for days. So today, let's talk about the inside story of this hiccups in a little more detail .

What exactly is this hiccups?

Simply put, hiccups are an uncontrolled process that occurs in our body. To understand this exactly, let's learn a little about two parts of our body.

One is the diaphragm . This is a large, flat piece of muscle that sits between our chest and abdomen, like a curtain. This piece of muscle moves up and down in a regular pattern as we breathe in and out. When we breathe in, it moves down, filling our lungs with air. When we breathe out, it moves up, forcing air out of our lungs.

The other part is the vocal cords in our throat. When we speak, the sound comes from these.

Now look at what happens when you have hiccups. Two things happen at once:

1. For some reason, your diaphragm suddenly drops uncontrollably during a breath. You suddenly take a quick breath in.

2. Before the inhaled breath can reach the lungs, the space between the vocal cords in the throat (called the ``glottis'') suddenly closes.

That's when those vocal cords close, and that distinctive "hic" sound comes out. So hiccups are when this process happens over and over again.

Most of the time, hiccups go away on their own without any treatment. However, for some people, they can last for days or weeks. If you have hiccups that last longer than two days (48 hours), it could be something serious and you should definitely see a doctor.

Other names for hiccups

In medical science, this is also called `(Singultus)`. Some people also call it `(Hiccough)` in English.

Are there types of hiccups?

Yes, doctors divide hiccups into several main types based on how long they last. It's important to know this, as it can help you understand the severity of the condition.

What are the causes of hiccups?

Well, this is a bit complicated, because the things that cause a normal hiccups that go away in a few minutes are very different from the things that cause severe hiccups that last for days.

Simply put, there are nerves (`(Vagus nerve)` and `(Phrenic nerve)`) that control our diaphragm. If these nerves are irritated for any reason, the diaphragm suddenly starts to contract. That is the cause of hiccups.

Minor causes of common hiccups

Most of the time, we can't find a clear reason for the normal hiccups that we get. However, things like these can cause hiccups:

• Eating too much or eating too quickly.
• Eating spicy, chili-heavy foods.
• Eating/drinking things that are very hot or very cold.
• Drinking carbonated beverages like soda .
• Swallowing too much air while eating or drinking (Aerophagia).
• Smoking things like tobacco or marijuana.
• Drinking alcohol.

Serious conditions that can cause hiccups that last for days

Imagine that your friend has been having persistent hiccups for three or four days. He can't eat or sleep. He thinks, "It's just hiccups." But this could be a sign of another underlying condition. Persistent hiccups can be caused by serious medical conditions, such as:

• Digestive system diseases: Conditions such as gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Diseases related to the central nervous system: Conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis.
• Lung-related diseases: Conditions like pneumonia, pulmonary embolism.
• Tumors or cancers in the body: Cancers in the chest, esophagus (esophageal cancer), or pancreas (pancreatic cancer).
• Problems related to the body's metabolism: Uremia or hypocalcemia caused by kidney failure.
• Some infections: Infections such as influenza (flu), herpes simplex (herpes simplex), or shingles (shingles).

Also, some medications can cause persistent hiccups. For example, some medications such as dopamine agonists, benzodiazepines, some cancer drugs, dexamethasone, and azithromycin can cause hiccups. If you suspect that a medication you are taking is causing your hiccups, talk to your doctor about it.

Is it normal for newborn babies to have hiccups?

Yes! Although this is something that many mothers fear, it is very common for newborn babies to have hiccups. Don't worry about it. According to doctors, the main reason is that the baby's stomach fills with air. When the baby drinks milk, he may swallow too much air. Then the baby's stomach swells and irritates the diaphragm.

However, sometimes hiccups in babies can be a sign of a condition like GERD. In that case, in addition to hiccups, the baby may also have other symptoms, such as coughing and vomiting milk . If your baby has these symptoms, it is best to see a pediatrician.

When should you see a doctor about hiccups?

As mentioned earlier, if you have hiccups for more than two days (48 hours) in a row, you should definitely see a doctor. The doctor will ask you questions like:

• About your medical history and recent surgeries.
• About the medications you are currently taking.
• About any other symptoms you have besides hiccups (e.g. stomach ache, chest pain, difficulty breathing).
• Then you will be given a complete physical exam.

It is from this information that the doctor will try to find the cause of your hiccups.

What tests are done?

To find the exact cause, you may need to do tests like these:

• Blood tests
• Chest X-ray
• A heart rhythm test (EKG)
• Upper endoscopy (examination of the esophagus and stomach with a camera)
• Abdominal CT scan
• Brain MRI scan

How do I stop these annoying hiccups?

To be honest, there is no 100 percent effective, scientifically proven "magic" way to stop hiccups. Most of the time, normal hiccups go away on their own without us doing anything. But because of the annoyance they cause when they do, we try various things, right? These home remedies are believed to stimulate our `(Vagus nerve)` or increase the level of carbon dioxide in the lungs.

Things you can try at home

Medical treatment for hiccups that last for days

Hiccups that last more than two days are not just a nuisance. They can affect your life. You may feel very tired when you can't eat, drink, or sleep. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe medications such as:

• `Chlorpromazine`
• `Metoclopramide`
• `Baclofen`
• `Gabapentin`
• Drugs that reduce stomach acid (Proton pump inhibitors)

In some cases, treatments such as nerve blocks or even hypnosis may be recommended.

Can hiccups be prevented?

To prevent frequent hiccups, keep a record of what you do before you get them. It's even better if you can write them down in a notebook. Then you'll be able to see if there's a pattern (e.g., when you eat spicy food, drink soda). Here are some things you can do to help prevent regular hiccups:

• Slow down when eating and drinking.
• Limit drinks like soda and alcohol.
• Don't eat a lot at once, eat little by little.
• Do not eat very hot or very cold food and drinks at once.

When to go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)!

This is something you should definitely keep in mind. Although hiccups are common, they can be a symptom of some serious, life-threatening conditions.

If you have any of the following symptoms of a stroke along with hiccups:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body).
• Difficulty speaking or understanding what others say.
• Difficulty seeing in one or both eyes.
• Severe headaches that come without a reason.

Or

If you have hiccups and these symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) :

• Sudden difficulty breathing.
• Sharp chest pain (especially when breathing).
• A cough mixed with blood.

Hiccups are usually just a minor annoyance. But if they persist and are affecting your life, don't be afraid to talk to a doctor about it. Finding the cause and getting the right treatment can help you get back on track.