Hiccups: what helps?
Hiccups are usually harmless, but often simply unpleasant. How it develops and what helps against the little pest.
How hiccups occur?
Briefly: Hiccups (singultus) occur when it becomesthe diaphragm cramps. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and is extremely important for breathing. When inhaling, the diaphragm contracts. The resulting negative prere ensures that air comes through the glottis into the lungs.
When you exhale, the respiratory muscle relaxes and the air flows out of the lungs again. If the diaphragm cramps, hiccups develop. In this case, the glottis closes reflexively, air cannot flow out of the lungs, new air collides with the glottis from the outside. This causes the hiccups.
What are the causes of hiccups?
An irritation of the bipharyngeal nerve (phrenic nerve) or the the tenth cranial nerve (vagus nerve) Can trigger a hiccup. Because the phrenic nerve controls the movements of the diaphragm and the tenth cranial nerve controls the movements in the area of the larynx and pharynx. Causes of hiccups can be:
– Hasty swallowing – Swallowing too much air when speaking – Very cold or hot food – Nicotine – Drinking alcohol or carbonated beverages – Stress
What helps against hiccups?
Most tips are based on the fact that The affected person is distracted or. Breathing relaxes. So that also the diaphragm. These tricks promise relief from singultus:
– A glass of water in small sips drink. – One piece Sugar with a little vinegar or lemon juice drizzle and let it melt slowly on the tongue. Irritation of the palatal nerves counteracts hiccups. Air stop. – In one Bag inhale and exhale. The stale air contains less oxygen and more carbon dioxide (CO2), thus the carbon dioxide concentration in the blood increases. This can lead to the interruption of the hiccups. Draw knees to belly. Push the arms to the side. This straightens the diaphragm. – With a Ice cubes walk along the neck or gargle with cold water. The cold irritates the vagus nerve. Can thereby interrupt the hiccup reflex.
Hiccups in babies
Singultus often occurs in babies. Possible explanations are that hiccups train the respiratory system before and after birth. Maybe it is also to prevent amniotic fluid or food from getting into the lungs. Or carry the air that enters the stomach through sucking during breastfeeding back out again.
Are hiccups dangerous?
The hiccups are usually harmless and fades away after a few minutes. Sometimes medications also lead to singultus. This can be drugs such as neuroleptics, chemotherapeutic drugs or cortisone preparations. But also medications for epilepsy or Parkinson's disease. In rare cases, there is a disease behind it, such as the so-called Reflux disease (chronic heartburn). This causes the contents to flow from the stomach back into the esophagus. In addition to hiccups, pain can occur behind the sternum. Burping stomach acid symptoms of this can be. Also a Inflammation of the esophagus or Gastrointestinal inflammation may trigger hiccups. If the hiccups last longer than 48 hours or recur frequently, it is advisable to consult a doctor.