Hiccups are mostly harmless and go away after a short time. Even if the singultus likes to bring a few laughs in adults, it has no deeper benefit for us. Things are different with children: Different theories deal with the positive aspects of hiccups for the development of babies and toddlers. The hiccups that are common in childhoodcould serve as a training for the respiratory system, making sure that air is pushed out of the little one’s stomach to make it easier to swallow breast milk or to prevent food from entering the lungs during consumption. In adulthood we no longer need this help – but why do we still suffer from the hiccups from time to time? We explain the causes, what exactly happens in the body and which home remedies help with a hiccup attack.
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How do hiccups occur?
The severity, frequency and duration of hiccups vary between people. But the processes in the body are always the same. Triggered by a stimulus, the diaphragm between the lungs and abdomen contracts spasmodically, so that we suddenly take a deep breath. The glottis closes very quickly as a reflex and the suddenly sucked in air hits the closed glottis – the characteristic hicksing occurs.
Causes of hiccups
Common triggers for irritation of the diaphragm are hasty eating and drinking and the resulting swallowed air, food that is too hot or cold, or simply a meal that is too large. To protect the diaphragm, you should eat as carefully as possible and concentrate on breathing and swallowing. This will prevent you from overtaxing your stomach. Alcohol, nicotine, stress, skittishness and fear also have a negative effect on the diaphragm. Hiccups can also be more common in pregnant women.
The factors mentioned can cause the so-called acute hiccups; Normally, a hiccup attack lasts about ten minutes, we are seldom plagued by the sometimes funny, sometimes annoying hiccups for longer.
A chronic hiccup, on the other hand, lasts at least two days, but is also very rare. The cause can usually not be found. Those affected can try respiratory and behavioral therapies or muscle-relaxing medication to counteract the chronic hiccups.
In rare cases, the singultus can occur as an additional symptom of serious illnesses. An overactive thyroid , inflammation of the liver or pancreas, diabetes or kidney diseasecan be the reasons. Tumors and strokes can also cause hiccups. In such a case, the doctor will explain the appropriate drug treatment to you and thus free you from the hiccups. Of course, that doesn’t mean that every hiccup should be interpreted directly as a sign of a medical condition. However, if the hiccups occur more frequently than usual, last for a longer period of time and there are other symptoms such as heartburn, nausea or abdominal pain, you should consult a doctor.
Home remedies for hiccups
Even if the hiccups usually go away quickly, they can still be uncomfortable. A few home remedies promise help, some of which are based on the principle of distraction. The sufferer concentrates on something other than his hiccups and as a positive side effect, breathing calms down and the diaphragm can relax.
- Try to remember lunch three days ago. What exactly did you eat? And for breakfast?
- Counts backwards from hundred to zero. This should distract you enough to make you forget about the hiccups.
- Sitting on a chair, bend forward or pull your knees towards you. This puts pressure on the chest and keeps the diaphragm from twitching.
- Cover your ears with both thumbs and at the same time pinch your nostrils with your little fingers. Inhale once, close your lips, hold your breath and puff out your cheeks. Hold this position as long as possible.
- hold your breath! Always swallow against it the moment you feel the hiccups coming. Repeat this several times in a row.
- Breathe into a paper bag that you hold tightly to your mouth. This increases the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. But be careful: if you breathe into the bag for too long, you can get dizzy and there is even a risk of fainting.
- If you are athletic, you can drink a glass of water while standing on your head.
- Put a teaspoon of pure lemon juice or vinegar on a piece of sugar and let it melt on your tongue.
- Drink up a glass of ice-cold water in small but quick sips.
- Panting like a dog relaxes the diaphragm and stops the hiccups.
- Let someone scare you. The shock will distract you and the singultus will pass.
