Were you aware that hiccups are known to occur in almost all mammals? While it’s a normal bodily function, it can still be frustrating having hiccups at a time when you need to be busy.
If you have asked yourself why you keep getting the hiccups, this article is for you. Keep reading for all the facts and solutions on how to get rid of hiccups.
What Are Hiccups
The known medical term for hiccups is synchronous diaphragmatic flutter. Hiccups are caused when someone takes in a breath and the airflow becomes blocked momentarily. While it seems like this is a minor nuisance, and it happens for no reason, hiccups that are prolonged can be a sign of a serious medical problem.
If hiccups last any longer than 48 hours, you should seek medical help. This is usually more common in men than women.
An involuntary contraction of the diaphragm happens at the same time as a contraction of the larynx or vocal cord. A rush of air into the lungs along with the familiar sound comes after this.
Causes of Hiccups
There are a few different conditions that can trigger chronic hiccups. The main thing that influences this is your lifestyle practices. Here is a list of factors that can contribute to triggering hiccups:
- Consuming sodas, hot, carbonated, or alcoholic drinks
- Strong emotions or feelings of stress
- Eating too much food
- Having stomach gas against the diaphragm
- Eating spicy food that can irritate your phrenic nerve or esophagus
- Sudden changes in temperature
- Eating food very fast
Types of Hiccups
There are three common different types of hiccups that occur. These are classified depending on the duration of the hiccup attack.
Transient hiccups are those that last only seconds or minutes. Hiccups that are around for longer than 48 hours are called persistent hiccups. Recurrent hiccups have episodes that last longer than the former two and often are reoccurring.
Keep Getting The Hiccups? How to Stop Them
Most cases of hiccups stop or go away after a few minutes. You may have heard the typical options like holding your breath or getting scared, but there are other tricks to getting rid of them. Here are a few effective hiccup treatment tips to try:
- Gargle or drink ice-cold water
- Swallow and apply pressure to the nose
- Apply pressure to your diaphragm
- Chew on a lemon
- Blow up a balloon
- Pull on the tongue
- Visit hiccupops.com to purchase lollipops that work great for hiccup removal
- Rub your eyes
- Touch one finger to try to trigger your gag reflex
- Breathe in a paper bag
How To Get Rid of Hiccups
Hiccups are common, but that doesn’t make them any less annoying. If you keep getting the hiccups recurrently, consider seeking help because it could be a sign of illness. If not, try our methods above to reduce them.
Check out some more of our articles to get great lifestyle and health tips.
