HICCUPS: DEFINITION, CAUSES, TREATMENT, EFFECTS

DEFINITION
The national organization for rare disorders describe hiccups as "an involuntary spasmodic contraction of the muscle at the base of the lungs (diaphragm) followed by the rapid closure of the vocal cords " Simply put, Hiccups occurs when a person intake of air becomes momentarily blocked.

There is no cause of alarm when you have hiccups, it tends to subside without treatment but when it last more than 48hours contact your doctor
The interval between each hiccups is relatively constant causing a rhythm

CAUSES
Exactly why short period of hiccups occurs remain unclear but some factors gives higher chance of experiencing them. This factors are:
-Experiencing stress or strong emotion (excitement, grief, shock)
-Taking hot liquids, carbonated drinks, alcohol
-Eating hot or spicy food that irritates the phrenic nerve
-Having gas in the stomach
-Eating too much or too quickly
Stomach distension (bloating, constipation)
-Sudden change in temperature
-Side effect of medication like acid reflux
    Chronic hiccups might be medically linked to several conditions like;
-Liver and kidney problem
-Side effect of chromotherapy treatment
-Diabetes and hypoglycemia
-A brain tumor or stroke
-Pregnancy
-Hepatitis
-Abdominal surgery

TREATMENT
      Hiccups can be frustrating at times. Much more frustrating when you can't get rid of it. Here are some tips that might help
-Breathe in for a short time then breathe out
-Bite on a lemon
-Sit down and hug your knees as close to the chest as possible for a short time
-Gently touch the throat with one finger to trigger a gag reflex
-Rub the eyes
-Gently pull the tongue
-Gargle with ice water or sip cold water
-Drinking a glass of water quickly

For prolonged hiccups a doctor can prescribe chloropromazine as it is the only medication to treat hiccups with FDA approval. Other medications like Ephedrine or ketamine for hiccups relating to surgery

EFFECTS
   As little and harmless as hiccups may seem it has some side effects to your health especially prolonged hiccups. It can cause;
-Dehydration and loss of weight. Prolonged hiccups can make eating or drinking really hard
-Loss of sleep (Insomnia). When hiccups persist at night, falling asleep can be extremely difficult
-Fatigue. Having hiccups all day or for a long while
  can be really tiring

Difficulty in communication. Try having a a juicy chat with a friend while having hiccups, now that could turn a juicy chat sour.

   Having hiccups can be tiring and frustrating but there is no cause for alarm as long as it doesn't exceed 48hours. If hiccups comes with abdominal pain, fever, coughing out blood, or feeling your throat is going to close up. Don't wait for 48hours contact your doctor IMMEDIATELY  

Source
Medical News Today
Medicine net
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