★ What is Hiccups.?
Hiccups are repeated spasms of your diaphragm paired with a ‘hic’ sound from your vocal cords closing. Your diaphragm is a muscle under your ribcage, separating your chest and stomach area. This muscle is an important part of the breathing process. It moves downward when you breathe in and upward when you breathe out.
★ Why do people get hiccups.?
It’s not clear why people get hiccups. There are several reasons hiccups might happen, including low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood and irritated nerves. The phrenic nerve (which connects the neck to the diaphragm) and vagus nerve (which connects the brain to the stomach) are important parts of the breathing process.
Mild hiccups (those that go away in a short time) can happen when you:
• Eat and drink too quickly.
• Drink carbonated beverages or alcohol.
• Eat too much.
• Experience stress – including fear and excitement.
• Over-stretch your neck.
• Take drugs (particularly those for anxiety – benzodiazepines).
• Drink a very hot or very cold drink.
• Go through chemotherapy.
• Are anesthetized for a procedure.
• Inhale toxic fumes.
★ How do I treat hiccups.?
Because the exact cause of hiccups is uncertain, some remedies may or may not work. These home treatments will not hurt you, so there is typically no harm in trying them. Home treatments include:
— Drinking water quickly.
— Swallowing granulated sugar, dry pieces of bread, or crushed ice.
— Gently pulling on your tongue.
— Gagging (sticking a finger down your throat).
— Gently rubbing your eyeballs.
— Gargling water.
— Holding your breath.
— Breathing into a paper bag (do not use a plastic bag).
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