Hiccups
Hiccups are caused by a sudden cramping of the diaphragm, whereby the glottis between the vocal folds is reflexively closed. When the air already inhaled hits the closed glottis, the typical “hiccup” occurs. The cause of the diaphragm‘s cramping is an irritation of the phrenic nerve.
This is the nerve that innervates the diaphragm. There can be many reasons for such an irritation. Eating fast, drinking cold liquids or hasty, irregular breathing as in a laughing fit can be considered as possible causes.
But even a pregnant woman sometimes perceives hiccups from the unborn child. This can be explained by the fact that the immature respiratory center in the brain stem of the fetus sends information that leads to the snap breathing that the expectant mother perceives as hiccups. This gasping subsides until birth.
Stuttering
Stuttering is a speech disorder that can have psychological and physical causes. When stuttering, the flow of speech is interrupted and repetitions of sounds, syllables and words, protraction of individual sounds or pressing out of initial letters can occur. The causes of stuttering have not yet been fully clarified.
On the one hand, it is assumed that there is a disturbance in the interaction of the nerves and organs responsible for speech. On the other hand, genetic predispositions can influence speech development and promote speech disorders. Especially children between the ages of 2 and 6 years start to stutter.
However, most speech therapists consider this to be a normal developmental process, since the combination of thinking and speaking is not always congruent at that age. If stuttering persists for a long time, it becomes more difficult to return to normal speech flow. Even adults can suddenly develop speech disorders. Often traumatic events or psychological stress can be a reason.
Pain during diaphragmatic breathing
Pain, which occurs especially during deep breathing into the abdomen, can have organic causes. The chest and abdominal organs are possible causes. If the pleura or the pericardium is inflamed and is moved during inhalation, pain may occur.
But an inflamed stomach, gallstones, an enlarged liver or air accumulation in the intestines can also cause pain. If the diaphragm itself is affected by an inflammation, hernia or breakthrough, unpleasant sensations can also occur. If the pain persists over a longer period of time or becomes worse, a doctor should be consulted for clarification.
