Synonym
Singultus
Introduction
Hiccups is a mostly harmless disease that affects many people. It often occurs suddenly and usually disappears on its own after a while. Therefore, it usually does not require a visit to the doctor.
Only long-lasting hiccups that do not disappear on their own should be clarified by a doctor. Breathing works by expanding the lung suspended from the chest with each breath and then compressing it again with each exhalation. Contrary to popular belief, this happens passively, i.e. the lung cannot expand itself.
The lung is attached to the chest. This can only raise and lower itself to a limited extent by the respiratory assistance muscles. The main work is done by the diaphragm, a muscle complex attached to the underside of the lung, which on the one hand separates the abdominal organs from the thoracic organs and on the other hand expands the lung suspended from the thorax through contractions.
This expansion causes the lung to expand and creates a negative pressure that draws air from the outside into the lung, thus ensuring that the vital fresh gas exchange takes place. Breathing is usually unconscious. It is possible to consciously remember each breath and thus influence the frequency of the breathing movement.
However, we only consciously register a very small part of the numerous drafts of air necessary during the day. Most of the breaths are controlled by the central nervous system. The diaphragm (diaphragm) does not contract automatically, but is supplied by a nerve, which transmits the command from the subconscious to the diaphragm to contract.
This is the phrenic nerve. Hiccups are triggered for various reasons. On the one hand, diaphragmatic irritation can lead to an uncontrolled rapid contraction of the diaphragm.
If the glottis is closed at the same time, the familiar hiccup sound occurs because the air that is suddenly pressed out is pressed against the closed glottis. In most cases, an irritation of the diaphragm is caused by an increased air filling of the stomach. For example, by eating quickly, an increased amount of air can enter the stomach with every bite, and this air is expanded and thus leads to an irritation of the diaphragm.
Also too cold water or the consumption of spicy food is made responsible for temporary hiccups. In addition to the phrenic nerve, the vagus nerve, a nerve of the so-called parasympathetic nervous system (parasympatheticus), is also involved in the hiccup process. The nervus vagus runs through the thorax and parts of the abdominal cavity.
When eating large bites, there may be a more passagonal pressure from the esophagus on the vagus nerve that passes by. Although this pressure is only short, because it is only as long until the bite has passed through the esophagus, it may be enough to stimulate the nerve in such a way that an irritation of the diaphragm with subsequent hiccups results. In case of a sudden change in the vegetative situation, be it due to shock, sudden nervousness and “being excited”, a temporary hiccup may occur.
The reason is the vegetative supply of the diaphragm by the nerves. Excessive consumption of alcohol can also cause irritation of the nerves supplying the diaphragm with the following epochal hiccups. Much rarer but more serious is the disease-related hiccup, which is triggered by inflammation of the diaphragm or by mechanical pressure on the diaphragm.
Tumors of the abdominal or thoracic cage can press on the diaphragm and thus lead to a sudden unintentional contraction of the diaphragm, which the affected person perceives as hiccups. Bacterial and viral inflammation of abdominal organs of any kind can also lead to sudden hiccups due to corresponding nerve irritation. Hiccups due to surgical interventions:
If hiccups occur suddenly and do not disappear after a short time and become chronic, previous operations must always be considered.
Especially operations in the abdominal cavity or on thoracic organs can lead to later adhesions of the diaphragm or structures close to the nerves, which can cause hiccups. Tumors of the abdomen or thorax can press on the diaphragm and thus lead to a sudden unintentional contraction of the diaphragm, which the affected person perceives as hiccups.Bacterial and viral inflammation of abdominal organs of any kind can also lead to sudden hiccups through corresponding nerve irritation. If hiccups occur suddenly and do not disappear after a short time and become chronic, previous operations must always be considered. Particularly with operations in the abdominal cavity or on thoracic organs, later adhesions of the diaphragm or structures close to the nerves can occur, which lead to the hiccups being triggered.
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