Hiccup Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Hiccups are sudden and unconscious contractions of the diaphragm muscles (the muscles that line the chest and abdomen). When these contractions occur, the vocal cords close to produce a hiccup sound.
Hiccups can be caused by several things. Starting from eating or drinking too fast and too much, consuming too much alcoholic and carbonated drinks, smoking, stroke, brain tumor, taking certain drugs, having recently had surgery in the stomach area, and having disorders that irritate the nerves in the diaphragm muscle.
In general, hiccups only last a few seconds to a few minutes. But if you experience hiccups that don’t stop for three hours or more, consult a doctor immediately.
Diagnosis
Hiccups can be diagnosed only from a medical interview and physical examination. However, to find out the cause, it is necessary to carry out various supporting examinations that are relevant to the things that are suspected.
For example, when someone is suspected of having hiccups due to a brain tumor or stroke, the doctor may order a CT scan of the head or an MRI of the brain to confirm the cause.
Symptom
Hiccups themselves are a symptom. When you hiccup, you will feel a slight push and increase in pressure in the abdominal cavity, chest, and make a ‘hic’ sound.
Treatment
You can do a number of practical ways that you can do yourself at home, such as holding your breath and drinking or gargling with a glass of water.
If the hiccups don’t go away within 48 hours, you’ll need medication to help with the hiccups. Doctors can provide various drugs to relieve your hiccups. However, this drug is classified as a hard drug, so it can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription.
If medication doesn’t help (which is very rare), phrenic nerve surgery (a nerve that controls the diaphragm muscle) can be the last resort for relieving the hiccups that you experience.
Prevention
You can prevent hiccups by avoiding eating and drinking too much and too quickly.