Hiccups, or hiccups, involve a spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm that suddenly closes the vocal folds as it progresses. The typical hiccupping sounds then result from the blockage of incoming air. Only chronic, i.e. constantly recurring hiccups require medical examination. Occasional hiccups are harmless and usually disappear quickly on their own.
What are hiccups?
Hiccups or hiccups involve a spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm, which suddenly closes the vocal folds as it progresses. Who doesn’t know it, the sudden hiccup commonly referred to as the hiccups. The definition of a hiccup is that it is a sudden and reflex contraction of the diaphragm. The sudden contraction causes the inhalation to be interrupted abruptly and for seconds. The vocal fold closure responsible for this is the actual cause of the subsequently audible sound. Not only humans can have hiccups, but also animals. Hiccups even have a function, namely to protect the lungs from the penetration of fluids by a lightning-like contraction of the respiratory muscles. This is especially true in embryos and babies, where the larynx is not yet fully formed.
Causes
Hiccups can arise from a number of causes. On the one hand, it serves as a protective mechanism of the lungs – as described above – but also as a gag reflex. Triggers of hiccups can be leftover food or foreign bodies in the esophagus. Hasty eating and drinking, cold drinks or too much carbon dioxide in a drink can also trigger hiccups. However, hiccups can also be associated with a disorder in the central nervous system under certain circumstances. After a craniocerebral trauma, in cases of cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage, certain brain tumors or encephalitis, hiccups may be the first symptom. Disorders or injuries in the course of the phrenic nerve or at the diaphragm can also trigger hiccups. If hiccups persist for hours or days and do not go away on their own or with certain helping techniques, a doctor should be consulted. The same is true if there are other symptoms besides hiccups that can be related. This would be the case, for example, if one has pain at the level of the diaphragm. Inflammation of the diaphragm or irritation of the pancreas can trigger hiccups, as can abscesses located there, operations in the upper abdomen, scar tissue or a tumor in this region. Chronic hiccups are relatively rare. It may well persist for several years and severely affect the sufferer. One patient became known who had chronic hiccups from 1922 to 1990. Interestingly, almost exclusively men are affected. Patients suffering from chronic hiccups can find help at the Ruprecht Karls University in Heidelberg.
Diseases with this symptom
- Concussion
- Gastrointestinal flu
- Brain tumor
- Diaphragmatitis
- Brain inflammation
- Pancreatitis
Complications
Hiccups can bring multiform complication. First, the discomfort limits the ability to absorb food and fluids, which can lead to dehydration and deficiency symptoms. It also increases the risk of choking and inhaling food into the deeper parts of the lungs, which can cause aspiration pneumonia, for example. Swallowing highly regurgitated gastric juice is also a possible complication, which further irritates the airways and often results in nausea and vomiting. In addition, hiccups can make it difficult to fall asleep, causing stress and exhaustion. Chronic hiccups can also cause sleep disturbances and, in the further course, depression. In the long term, hiccups strain the mucous membranes of the esophagus and increase the risk of heartburn, inflammation of the throat, and tumors. If the symptoms occur in old age, this can interact with the already impaired sense of taste and smell to lead to a complete refusal of food, with typical consequences such as weight loss and a reduction in general condition. Hiccups after abdominal surgery can cause the wound to rupture again.Hiccups must therefore always be clarified with the family doctor to avoid complications.
When should you go to the doctor?
Hiccups can affect anyone, from infants to the elderly. Hiccups can even be detected in unborn children. It has no disease value in itself and therefore does not need to be treated. However, it can be different if someone has hiccups on a daily basis or experiences persistent cramping of the diaphragm followed by hiccups. Because hiccups can become chronic, a doctor should be consulted if hiccups persist. If someone experiences two days of unstoppable hiccups, a doctor’s visit is indicated. However, idiopathic chronic hiccups are difficult to treat. However, hiccups can indicate serious illness in rare cases. Singultus may be indicative of a reflux disorder, esophageal problems, or disease in the gastrointestinal tract. Occasionally, it is observed that hyperthyroidism, diabetes, liver or pancreatitis, and kidney disease can trigger hiccups. In addition, hiccups can indicate a stroke or a diaphragmatic tumor. Therefore, the causes should always be clarified. Sufferers should go to the doctor if the hiccups occur more frequently or are particularly severe. If the hiccups last for days or are accompanied by accompanying symptoms such as jaundice, heartburn, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain or nausea, a visit to the doctor is advisable. In addition, hiccups may be accompanied by warning signs such as feelings of exhaustion, swelling of the throat, or weight loss. Such symptoms are indicators to see a doctor.
Treatment and therapy
As a rule, hiccups do not need to be treated because they disappear on their own after a short time (about 5 minutes to 30 minutes). In addition, the hiccups usually do not represent a health impairment, so treatment by a doctor will not bring any significant improvement. However, many people know numerous tips and tricks that can be used to treat hiccups. However, the medical efficacy is controversial, but often it seems to help anyway. You can hold your breath, kiss someone, drink a glass of water upside down, or simply take several deep breaths. Medical literature even describes therapies using pharmacological agents such as cannabis. Rectal finger massage is also said to help with hiccups. Besides the nasal application of vinegar, persistent hiccups are treated with neuroleptics or sedatives, in former times also with diazepam. Otherwise, prokinetics, proton pump inhibitors or sympathomimetics are occasionally used. Treatment of hiccups must be tailored to the identified cause.
Outlook and prognosis
Hiccups are not a serious medical symptom. In most cases, the hiccups also do not need to be treated and disappear again on their own. Hiccups often occur mainly when swallowing or drinking a liquid has occurred. However, after the lungs have calmed down again, the hiccups disappear on their own within a few minutes. Hiccups are more common in babies and children and are not a medical problem that needs to be treated. Children swallow more often, which is why the hiccups occur more frequently. If the hiccups last a little longer, the chest can be soothed with a hot water bottle. Often it also helps to take some liquid and to breathe calmly. Treatment by a doctor or surgical intervention is not necessary. The hiccups do not lead to further complications.
Prevention
There is not too much you can do to prevent hiccups. However, you can get into the habit of not eating hastily, downing cold drinks, or talking with your mouth full. It is also said to be helpful with hiccups not to drink while eating. Not swallowing while speaking is another advice against hiccups.
This is what you can do yourself
For acute hiccups, various home remedies and tricks help. Proven measures such as startling, holding your breath and swallowing three times or gargling with water. A pressure point massage, gently massaging the soft spot behind the earlobe, relaxes the diaphragm and relieves the hiccups almost instantly.To prevent hiccups from occurring in the first place, avoid drinking highly carbonated liquids. People over 50 can reduce hiccup attacks by chewing on cloves. Younger people are advised to eat slowly and chew each bite well. Also, drink slowly and with many sips. Strongly carbonated or alcoholic beverages, as well as spicy, highly seasoned and flatulent foods, should be avoided until symptoms are relieved. What, on the other hand, helps with hiccups: cold water and as much raw food as possible. Lemon juice, salt and vinegar are also said to have soothing properties. In the case of chronic hiccups, a doctor should be consulted. Accompanying singultus can be relieved by relaxation measures and light medication. Home remedies such as chamomile or sage tea or massage also provide relief for chronic symptoms and are a suitable complement to specialist treatment.
