Why We Get Hiccups – Causes and Cures

Hiccups are those unexpected “hic” sounds you experience when your diaphragm, (a dome shaped muscle beneath your lungs) spasms. The diaphragm controls the pull and push of air in and out of your lungs. But sometimes it gets over excited and works harder. This involuntary action of air snaps your vocal cords shut and you get an involuntary “hic” sound.

What gets your diaphragm all riled up?

• Eating too fast. When you wolf down your meal, swallowed air can irritate the diaphragm which can lead to a surprise attack of the hiccups.

• Sudden change in temperature. Ever notice when you take a big gulp of an icy cold drink, you get the hiccups? The change of temperature in your esophagus (the throat tube that carries your food to your stomach) stimulates the vagus nerve and leads to the diaphragm spasming.

• Carbonated drinks. Bubbly soda doesn’t just tickle your nose, it also messes with your diaphragm. The extra pressure in the stomach can lead to hiccups.

• Fear, stress or excitement. These heightened emotions can trigger the vagus nerve, which runs from your brain to your abdomen causing the diaphragm to contract suddenly. Ever notice how people sometimes hiccup when they are super nervous?

• Spicy foods. Hot pepper’s capsaicin can trigger the phrenic nerves, which are part of why the diaphragm moves. So, if you hiccup mid-salsa, blame the hot sauce.

Hiccup Remedies

People swear by different remedies. Science may be thin. Results may vary. But, here’s a few tricks to stop the hiccups.

• Hold your breath. Take a deep breath, hold it for as long as you can, and exhale super slow. This classic suggestion increases the carbon dioxide levels in your blood, which may suppress the hiccup reflex.

• A teaspoon of sugar. Swallow the sugar dry, and the gritty texture might stimulate the vagus nerve endings in your throat and stop the hiccup cycle. Follow this with sips of warm water to clear your throat.

• Drink a glass of cold water upside down. Bending forward to drink the water can shock the vagus nerve, and sometimes resets the diaphragm.

• Gargle with cold water. Gargle for 30 seconds to stimulate the vagus nerve ending in your throat to calm might calm the diaphragm spasms.

• Apply gentle pressure to your diaphragm. Lean forward and gently press on the area just below your ribcage. This pressure on the diaphragm might help it to relax.

• Pull on your tongue. People swear that pulling gently on your tongue can stimulate the vagus nerve and stop the hiccups.

• Plug your ears while you drink. You might need help for this one. Plug both ears while simultaneously drinking water. It stimulates both the vagus and phrenic nerves which hopefully puts an end to the hiccups.

Are hiccups dangerous? Usually not, and they often stop on their own after a few minutes. If not, try one of these little tricks to jolt your diaphragm into ending the hiccup cycle. If your hiccups last more than a day, they may signal a health condition like acid reflux or an infection near the diaphragm, so get checked.

Health and hugs.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiccups/symptoms-causes/syc-20352613

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwin7eOsz8OJAxUPRv8BHQvjIToYABAAGgJtZA&co=1&ase=2&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_qG5BhDTARIsAA0UHSKxH5mjNekuBdZLv4uo8nhCg6yzCWJ6_8E1eHpfEuORA8RijCh111gaAn8fEALw_wcB&sig=AOD64_3M3p7Ifex7QIdqvqzSLgVvEHDciA&q&nis=4&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwjDkt-sz8OJAxW5pokEHVGcFEcQ0Qx6BAgKEAE

The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult with your medical care provider prior to changing your dietary supplements.