Hiccups are long time causes. Continuous hiccups

Hiccups are a non-specific symptom that can manifest itself in gastrointestinal pathologies or malnutrition. It is characterized by convulsive, jerky contractions of the diaphragm, which are different in duration and intensity. How to remove hiccups correctly, with the elimination of the underlying factor, only a doctor can say after an examination.

Etiology

Hiccups that occur only intermittently are usually not a sign of any pathological process, while frequent hiccups may be a sign of a serious pathological process. It should be noted that the exact etiological factors of this symptom have not been established. However, clinicians identify the following causes of hiccups:

• pathology of the upper respiratory tract;
• gastroenterological pathologies - inflammatory bowel pathologies, reflux;
• pathologies that affect the central nervous system - craniocerebral trauma;
• overgrowth thyroid gland;
• psychological disturbances - strong, nervous strain, shock, hysterical fit;
• pathologies that lead to impaired metabolism.

In addition to pathological processes that can provoke the development of this symptom, there are also independent etiological factors:

• hiccups in newborns after feeding, due to the uncomfortable position of the child during feeding;
• hot food, as it can irritate the phrenic nerve;
• binge eating;
• too fast eating;
• spicy dishes;
• the difference in temperature of the dishes consumed;
• taking certain medications;
• excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• carbonated drinks.

Hiccups during pregnancy may be due to the following etiological factors:

• hypothermia;
• experience, frequent nervous tension;
• forced position of the body during sleep.

Symptoms

The overall clinical picture, in this case, is quite unambiguous and manifests itself in the form of such symptoms:

• abrupt, for no apparent reason, contraction of the diaphragm with simultaneous short breath and protrusion of the abdomen;
• closure of the epiglottis and glottis leads to the fact that a person makes a specific sound;
• if it is a physiological hiccup after eating, then it passes within a few minutes. pathological symptom longer in time.

If this symptom is due to a gastroenterological disease, then specific signs of the corresponding clinical picture are added.

Classification

Clinicians highlight the following forms symptom:

• physiological - after eating, hiccups when smoking, after an excessive amount of alcohol;
• pathological - due to existing ailments or with an unknown etiology.

Also, the forms of the pathological process are distinguished according to the nature of the origin:

• central - develops due to damage to the brain, central nervous system and nearby organs;
• peripheral - observed with damage to the vagus and phrenic nerve;
• toxic - as a consequence after poisoning with poisons, chemicals, food;
• reflected - observed in ailments that affect the intestines.

It should be noted that the overall clinical picture does not have any specific differences between the forms. In any case, if frequent hiccups are observed, which are prolonged in nature, you should consult a doctor, and not independently take measures to stop it. Hiccups after eating can be a manifestation of gastroenterological pathology.

Diagnostics

How to stop hiccups correctly in adults or in a child, only a doctor can say after an examination and a final accurate diagnosis. Initially, a physical examination is carried out with the clarification of the general anamnesis. To make a diagnosis, the following laboratory and instrumental methods of examination are carried out:

• general and biochemical analysis blood;
• general urine analysis;
• blood electrolytes;
• Ultrasound, CT or MRI of the chest, abdomen and head;
• x-ray examination of the chest.

If hiccups are observed after eating, the doctor may include gastroenterological studies in the diagnostic program. Treatment should be prescribed only by a doctor, after identifying the etiology of this symptom. It should be understood that hiccups in themselves are a non-specific symptom that cannot indicate a specific disease, so self-medication is unacceptable.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the diagnosis. If the cause of the development of such a pathological process was certain disease, then appropriate basic therapy is carried out.

You can get rid of hiccups by the following methods:

• you should slowly drink cold water in small sips;
• inhale and hold your breath for a few seconds. This procedure should be repeated 3-4 times;
• suck on a slice of lemon.

You can get rid of hiccups with medications. Only the attending physician can prescribe a remedy for hiccups; it is not recommended to take such drugs without permission.

Prevention

There are no specific methods of prevention, since this is not a separate disease, but a non-specific symptom. In general, you should adhere to the rules of a healthy lifestyle and seek medical help in a timely manner.

Good day, dear visitors of the project "Good to eat!", section "Medicine"!

In today's article, we will get to know you better with such an unpleasant sensation as hiccups. So…

hiccup ( English hiccup)- non-specific dysfunction external respiration, which occurs as a result of a series of convulsive jerky contractions of the diaphragm (a muscle located on the border of the abdominal and chest cavities of the human body, not subject to the conscious control of a person, controlled by the autonomic nervous system) and is manifested by subjectively unpleasant short and intense respiratory movements.

Simply put, hiccups are nothing more than a spasm of the diaphragm. Its sudden jerky contraction leads to a sharp change in the volume of the chest. The lungs are stretched, and a kind of involuntary sharp breath is obtained. The sudden movement of air irritates the nerve endings located in the region of the mucous membrane of the larynx, and the glottis closes reflexively. This is how a person hiccups.

Hiccup is one of possible symptoms hypothermia, overeating, and other conditions of the body.

Hiccups - ICD

ICD-10: R06.6
ICD-9: 786.8

Hiccups prolonged

It occurs daily for two or more weeks and lasts longer than usual, sometimes for hours and even days. Frequent and prolonged hiccups, especially with the accompanying vomiting, headache, general weakness, is a reason to see a doctor, as this can be a sign of a number of serious diseases! These can be diseases of the central nervous system and the digestive system, diseases of the liver, gallbladder or pancreas, vasoconstriction, diabetes, or infections, including giardiasis, helminthiasis. The final diagnosis is made after a series of studies, including worms, and a visit to a neurologist.

Prolonged hiccups are divided into three types:

Central hiccups - neurology explains its origin as a result of brain damage, meningitis or encephalitis.

Peripheral hiccups - occurs as a result of pathological processes of the phrenic nerve.

Toxic hiccups - occurs when the nerve endings are damaged as a result of taking the drug.

Causes of hiccups

The cause of hiccups are sharper than usual contractions of the diaphragm, while the breaths are accompanied, as it were, by a short suffocation.

Hiccups sometimes occur in healthy people without apparent reason and, as a rule, is a harmless, quickly ending phenomenon. Hiccups can occur with general cooling (especially in young children), with hyperdistension of the stomach (overfilling it with food), as well as with irritation of the phrenic nerve (there is a case of prolonged hiccups with a frequency of contractions of the diaphragm equal to the frequency heart rate when a damaged wire from the pacemaker is shorted to the phrenic nerve).

Also, the causes of hiccups can be: hunger, thirst, dry food (bread, buns, etc.), fast food, excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages, excitement, sudden changes in temperature, stress.

Prolonged debilitating hiccups can be caused by CNS lesions, in particular encephalitis, metabolic disorders (with diabetic, uremic or hepatic coma), intoxications (alcohol, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, benzodiazepines), stroke, traumatic brain injury, arteriovenous malformations. Hiccups can be a formidable sign of increasing intracranial pressure or volumetric education posterior cranial fossa.

The causes of hiccups can also be compression of the CIV root by a hernia. intervertebral disc, neck tumors, mediastinal tumor, lymphogranulomatosis or sarcoidosis, tumor of the esophagus or lungs, esophageal diverticulum, reflux esophagitis, laryngobronchitis, mediastinitis, myocardial infarction, diseases of the abdominal organs (gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenum, intestinal obstruction, subphrenic abscess, pancreatitis, diseases of the biliary system, tumors of the stomach, pancreas, liver), glaucoma.

In young women, hiccups are sometimes psychogenic in nature.

Diagnosis of prolonged hiccups

If hiccups continue for several days, you need to see a doctor to rule out the possibility of damage to the body due to serious diseases. The doctor prescribes a series of tests to the patient. For example, laboratory tests check a patient's blood for kidney disease, infection, or diabetes. With the help of endoscopic tests, they look for possible problems in the windpipe or esophagus, using a special camera located at the end of a flexible, thin tube that is lowered down the throat into the esophagus. Fluoroscopy can detect possible problems in the diaphragm, as well as damage to the vagus and phrenic nerves. These tests include CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and chest x-rays.

How to get rid of hiccups?

So how can hiccups be treated?

There is no single true and correct method of dealing with hiccups: someone helps a drunk glass of water, someone - holding their breath. Some recommend scaring a hiccup, which is actually a very controversial remedy. The hiccups should go away on their own within 5-15 minutes of onset - just as involuntarily as they started.

It should be noted that in the case of prolonged hiccups, treatment, first of all, involves an impact on the underlying disease, which the doctor must establish, therefore, if hiccups do not leave you for a long time, be sure to consult a doctor.

And now let's look at what are the methods and means of getting rid of hiccups:

Medical treatment

Neurology involves the treatment of prolonged intractable hiccups with drugs: antidepressants, antipsychotics and anticonvulsants. They will calm the excessive bioelectrical activity of the brain and will help get rid of hiccups. However, it should be remembered that anticonvulsant and antiepileptic drugs can cause lethargy and lethargy.

Medications for hiccups

Cerucal, Motilium, Scopolamine, Pipolphen, Haloperidol, Finlepsin, Difenin, Corvalol.

Diaphragm nerve block

In cases where drug treatment does not help to get rid of hiccups, blockade of the nerves of the diaphragm with novocaine, which was developed by Vishnevsky, is used. This type of hiccup treatment is surgical and improves the sympathetic functions of the nervous system.

Folk remedies for hiccups

I want to note that some methods can be completely opposite to each other, but nevertheless, some help some people, others help others. If you, dear readers, know your methods, write in the comments, and perhaps your method will help many people get rid of hiccups. So…

1. Hiccups - spasm of the diaphragm. If you straighten the diaphragm as much as possible, then the hiccups disappear. It is usually enough to inhale the maximum amount of air while standing, then sit down and lean forward, wait about a minute. If hiccups are felt even with a deep breath, then the breath was not full enough;

2. Take a deep breath and hold your breath;

3. Consistently hold your breath three times;

4. Hold your breath as you exhale before the spasm, then you can take a shallow breath, and hold it again before the spasm. 2-3 times is enough;

5. Breathe often for a while;

6. Take the deepest possible breath and, without exhaling, perform actions similar to inhalation;

7. Drink a large glass of water in one gulp;

8. Several small continuous sips of water. In this case, water must be swallowed and not breathed;

9. Ingestion of one teaspoon of ordinary granulated sugar in dry form without drinking water. You can drink a little later;

10. Raise your arms above your head and take deep breaths in and out;

11. Fold your little finger and thumb pads to each other on both hands;

12. A slightly strange, but very effective way is to take a small bag and tightly close your nose and mouth with it (as with vomiting), leaving a volume for inhalation-exhalation of 200-300 ml, keep it so that air does not pass from the outside. Breathe in this way until you feel a lack of air. Usually once is enough;

13. Bend your body forward as much as possible, close your hands behind your back and then with the help of another person who will hold the glass, drink water in small sips;

14. It also helps to lie on your side and lie down a bit;

15. Lying on your back, raise your hands up. Take left hand right at the wrist and make springy movements up and down with a small amplitude so that the vibration passes to the chest. Do this for a short time and the hiccups will go away;

16. Apply a cold compress or pieces of ice to the throat;

17. Try to put a mustard plaster around your neck;

18. Put a rubber heating pad with cold water on the diaphragm (where the chest ends);

19. Spread your arms to the sides, cross your fingers, straighten your back, expose your chest with a “wheel” and breathe through your nose. Especially effective after a couple of sips of water;

20. Sitting on a chair (office chair, etc.), lean back and stretch your arms as high as possible and slightly back (about 15 degrees from the vertical), as much as you can, for 10-15 seconds. In most cases, hiccups go away instantly;

21. Spread the root of the tongue with mustard;

22. Plug your ears with your fingers and drink some liquid;

23. Focus on something, such as doing simple physical exercises, etc .;

24. Take 250 milliliters of cool water, add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, drink quickly;

25.

26. Water with lemon juice will help get rid of the problem. It must be drunk quickly in large sips;

27. Chamomile tea. The drink must be brewed for at least half an hour. The substances contained in chamomile have muscle relaxant properties, they can also stop diaphragmatic contractions that cause hiccups;

28. Drop 20 drops of valocordin, corvalol or something similar into a teaspoon, drink and drink with a glass of warm water;

29. To stop hiccups, a person needs to be suddenly scared;

30. Warm up (if the reason is hypothermia): put on dry warm clothes, drink a hot soft drink, etc .;

31. The advice is not for everyone - try to stand on your hands. Or just lie down on the bed in such a way that your head is very low. The idea is to get your head below your diaphragm. This often stops hiccups;

32. Dip the tip of the tongue a little in salt and press it against the upper palate, while you need to sit in a chair and relax;

33. Try to provoke a sneeze, for example with pepper;

34. Take half a glass of slightly warmed water, add fifteen drops of laurel cherry water, drink in one gulp;

35. Sometimes pressure on the eyeballs or exit points of the phrenic nerve (above the collarbone at the edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle) helps;

36. American Francis Fesmire, as well as three of his Israeli colleagues, discovered in 2006 that hiccups can be cured with rectal massage, for which they received the Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine. The discovery was made by them in different years independently of each other.

37. Ask the Lord to take the hiccups away from you. Prayer is the most strong remedy against any complications in human health.

Superstitions about hiccups, or how not to deal with hiccups

I cannot but add a few lines to this article concerning superstitions, or, so to speak, the Slavic heritage, due to which sometimes a person is subjected to serious complications in life, not even suspecting the causes of his problems.

So, there are such methods of getting rid of hiccups, as with certain actions, which I will not write about, in order not to be a source of temptation, you need to read the prayer “Our Father” on the contrary. Or use conspiracies, spells in the fight against hiccups.

It is important to understand that these manipulations in spiritual world can harm a person. So, prayers spoken on the contrary are magic spells that come into contact with evil spirit, and have devastating consequences, the same goes for all sorts of conspiracies, trips to grandmas-sorcerers, etc.

In addition, you should not bandage your hands with threads, or bury something in the ground. Thankfully there are more safe methods listed in the article above.

Hiccups in newborns

If a we are talking about a newborn baby, then most often the baby hiccups due to the fact that he is cold or he swallowed air while eating. When a baby suckles at the breast, he may also have hiccups. It is the air that enters the stomach that causes it.

What should be done if a newborn baby has hiccups?

First, check if the diapers are wet - this may be the cause of hypothermia.

Perhaps it is too cold in the room, then cover the window, or eliminate other sources of cold and wrap the baby warmer.

If a similar phenomenon appeared after eating, vilify the baby with a “column”, stroking his back. The air will come out and will not cause this phenomenon. This often happens in newborn babies. After all, they are just learning to eat, breathe and everything else.

If your baby is no longer so small, then the causes of hiccups may be different. Perhaps he ate without drinking dry food, such as a bagel, cookies, crackers. Sometimes a similar phenomenon in children is associated with gluttony. Maybe the baby ate too much and the stomach can not cope with such a volume of food. Or maybe the child just wants to drink.

And, of course, the option with hypothermia should not be forgotten either. Check if your child's feet are wet. Let him drink a warm drink with honey. It can be milk or tea - whichever is more to his taste.

If hiccups in a baby are rare, then you can not worry and do not contact a specialist. If this phenomenon in a child appears often and lasts a long time, then go to the doctor. Sometimes it indicates problems with the central nervous system, the phrenic nerve, or the presence of an aneurysm in the diaphragm. Also, hiccups in babies are often a sign of the presence of worms.

hiccups during pregnancy

The body of a pregnant woman is generally very different from female body in a different physiological state. Something that normally does not cause any particular inconvenience during pregnancy can become a whole problem. Some future mothers begin to hiccup more often and for longer than before pregnancy.

Perhaps the increase in hiccups during pregnancy is due to the indigestion that many of you suffer from. And in some cases, and this is not uncommon, hiccups are provoked by nervousness and tension. It is no secret that some expectant mothers worry too much about the future and the successful outcome of pregnancy and childbirth. Such fears can cause hiccups as well.

When hiccups appear in the background emotional tension try to relax, think about the good, sing a funny song out loud. Learn to distract yourself from hiccups. Talk to your doctor. Maybe a little light sedative or herbal teas will help you relax your nervous system and get rid of those annoying hiccups.

Important! Remember, reception medicines and dietary supplements (biologically active additives) without consulting a doctor, you are now categorically contraindicated.

Ways to get rid of hiccups should be as gentle as possible and at the same time effective. Of course, if your pregnancy is still two weeks old, then you can easily experience all kinds of ways to drink water (with and without slopes, from the opposite edge of the glass, and various others). But if the tummy is already decently rounded, then it will be difficult to bend over, and you don’t need to strain the muscles of the abdominal press once again.

With hiccups, you can try to draw into the lungs maximum amount air and no longer breathe. Just don't overdo it. Oxygen starvation is not good for the baby. And try to relax your abdominal muscles too.

Drink half a glass of ice water in small sips. Cold water causes a shake-up of the body, the muscles are sharply reduced, the hiccups disappear. Sometimes good action render herbal teas. It can be mint, and lemon balm, and chamomile. Tea must not be cold. Often, to stop hiccups, it is enough to gnaw on a cracker or a crust of bread.

Try not to overcool - cold known cause hiccups in both adult patients and in small ones and, of course, in pregnant women. If you feel the first signs of hypothermia, immediately change into dry and warm clothes, drink hot tea, coffee.

Starting from the twenty-eighth week of pregnancy, you will feel rhythmic and short movements inside you. This makes your little one aware of yourself. Hiccups are normal for him. Doctors say that in the mother's belly, the child often sucks a finger, when a little amniotic fluid enters the tummy during sucking, the baby begins to hiccup.

Hiccups help the baby's internal organs, such as his heart and intestines. Some doctors believe that hiccups are like a massage. Such bouts of hiccups have not yet born child can last up to twenty minutes. Do not worry, this is absolutely normal and does not threaten the baby. Some babies may even have hiccups several times a day. At the same time, doctors believe that the child does not experience at all discomfort from hiccups, similar topics what we are experiencing.

Important! It is worth noting that hiccups in your fetus are terrible when they do not go away for a long time. Too long and frequent bouts of hiccups in a baby can be triggered by oxygen starvation. This situation requires control by doctors.

What symptoms of hiccups should I pay special attention to?

Hiccups, many days, debilitating, with profuse salivation may be a sign of lesions of the brain and spinal cord, disorders of the central nervous system.

Hiccups, combined with unexpected cough, accompanied by dull pain in the back or side, may indicate pleurisy, pneumonia, or other more complex disease lung system.

Hiccups, frequent, complicated by pain in the head, accompanied by general weakness, pain in the shoulders and neck, are most likely a symptom of osteochondrosis.

In any case, when such an unpleasant problem as hiccups drags on, you should not test the body for strength and wait for it to “pass by itself”. Hiccups may pass, meanwhile, the ailment that your body tried to “report” about will take on more severe forms. It is necessary to try to find time for the diagnosis of your health.

Charles Osborne (born 1894), Anton, Iowa, USA began to hiccup in 1922. The attack of hiccups began at the moment when he was slaughtering a pig. The attack of hiccups continued for the next 68 years until 1990. During this time, he hiccupped about 430 million times. The hiccups did not succumb to treatment, but this did not prevent Osborne from leading a lifestyle familiar to all people, he got married and had children. The average frequency of hiccups at the beginning of the attack was 40 times per minute, which then decreased to 20-25 times.

Video about hiccups

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Let's see what are the causes of hiccups, what remedies will help solve this problem, and what treatments should be used for chronic hiccups. We will find out how many types of hiccups exist, and what physiological mechanisms underlie this annoying disorder.

When hiccups occur - physiological mechanism

Everyone in life has had to deal with hiccups, but only a few know the reasons for this phenomenon? This problem can affect anyone: a newborn, a child, an adult and an elderly person, and it is associated with involuntary contraction of the muscles of the diaphragm, which determines the closure of the valve in the larynx. Usually the disorder does not last long, with a variable number of "hiccups" per minute - from a minimum of 4 to a maximum of 60.

As previously mentioned, hiccups are caused by muscle contractions. From a medical point of view, we can distinguish two different components that cause hiccups:

• Muscular component: from this point of view, hiccups are an involuntary contraction of the muscles of the diaphragm that separates chest cavity from the abdominal cavity, and intercostal muscles. The typical sound of hiccups is caused by an interruption in the flow of air in the lungs.
• Neurological component: associated with activation of the vagus nerve and phrenic nerve (the nerve that innervates the diaphragm), and the hiccup center, which is located in the cervical spine and receives commands from the hypothalamus and other areas of the brain.

Hiccups are not always the same: different types

While hiccups are very common and common enough to not be a cause for concern, there are several types of hiccups, some of which require medical attention.

We can highlight three types of hiccups:

• Isolated: this is the most general type hiccups that everyone experiences at least once in a own life. It appears suddenly and lasts from a few seconds to several minutes. Has a tendency to spontaneous healing.
• Acute: a type of hiccup that can last up to 48 hours and is characterized by rapid and repetitive contractions. Does not require medical treatment, disappears spontaneously, but should always be kept under control, as after 48 hours medical attention may be required.
• Chronic: This is a hiccup that lasts more than 48 hours, characterized by frequent and rapid spasms. This kind of hiccups can persist for several days or even several weeks, alternating with periods without hiccups. Of course, this is a very rare occurrence: it occurs in one in 100,000 people.

The latter type requires the intervention of a doctor, since sleep disturbances can be indicated among the consequences, as it occurs even at night, making it difficult to eat and talk.

Causes of hiccups

The causes of this disease are still largely unknown. However, it can be assumed that some situations determine the appearance of isolated or acute hiccups. The cause of chronic hiccups may be a neurological or similar disease.

We have previously described isolated and acute hiccups as a transient process. Often the reasons that give rise to this phenomenon are unknown, but nevertheless, some common causes can be identified:

• Eating Mistakes: When you eat too fast or too much, it causes the stomach to distend due to swallowing air, and this can lead to stimulation of the phrenic nerve and rapid contractions of the diaphragm.
• Anxiety and stress: hiccups can be psychosomatic, that is, caused by anxiety or prolonged stress. When you are nervous, you tend to swallow large amounts of air, thus stretching the stomach and stimulating the phrenic nerve.
• Smoking and alcohol: can lead to hiccups because they have a general irritant effect, including the diaphragm and phrenic nerve. In addition, alcohol causes the stomach to expand.
• Temperature changes: Sudden changes in temperature or swallowing food that is too hot or too cold can trigger hiccups.
• Medications: In some patients, such as older adults who take large amounts of medications to control age-related conditions, medications can cause hiccups. Among the main culprits are benzodiazepines used in the treatment of anxiety, corticosteroids such as cortisone used to treat various inflammatory conditions, antibiotics and drugs used for chemotherapy.
• Surgery: It is not uncommon for hiccups to occur after surgery, which is determined by several factors, such as manipulation of internal organs, accidental stimulation of the phrenic nerve or diaphragm, drugs used for general anesthesia, neck swelling during intubation, and abdominal distention during endoscopy.

All of the above causes involuntary contraction of the diaphragm through stimulation of the phrenic nerve, but the mechanisms by which this occurs remain unknown.

Other common causes of hiccups may be related to a particular condition a person is in, such as pregnancy, or age related, such as hiccups in children.

• Children and newborns: in children and newborns, the most common cause hiccups - the speed of eating. For example, a newborn during breastfeeding may swallow too quickly, swallowing air, it is not uncommon that hiccups appear after feeding. Children and infants, as well as adults, can also have bouts of hiccups due to changes in temperature or eating food that is too hot or too cold.
• Women during pregnancy: During pregnancy, in addition to the well-known "fetal hiccups" that cause joy and suffering for women, the expectant mother may also have hiccups, probably caused by an increase in the volume of the uterus, which stimulates the phrenic nerve.

Causes of chronic hiccups

As for chronic hiccups, the main cause is disorders of the nervous system, that is, irritation of certain nerves.

This may include:

• Peripheral neural pathways: innervating the diaphragm, in particular the vagus and phrenic nerves. Damage or irritation from these pathways can lead to chronic hiccups. Such irritation or damage may be due to certain diseases localized at the level of the larynx, such as acute laryngitis, pharyngitis (general sore throat), the presence of foreign objects at the level inner ear, as well as inflammation and infection localized in the lungs and pleural cavity.
• Central nerve pathways: that is, nerves localized at the level cervical spinal cord. Irritation or injury to these centers can be the cause of chronic hiccups. Injury to these centers is often observed in neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, inflammation of the meninges in the head and bone marrow, tumors at the level of the brain, traumatic brain injury.

Secondary causes of chronic hiccups relate to diseases that determine the appearance of this symptom. Some diseases have hiccups as a side effect of peripheral and central nerves, the mechanisms of association of other diseases with hiccups are not entirely clear.

Among pathological diseases, which can identify hiccups, we have:

• Inflammation: In the mediastinum, for example, at the level of the pericardium, pleura or lungs, the phrenic nerve can be stimulated.
• Reflux: Gastroesophageal reflux is one of the most common causes of hiccups. In this case, hiccups often occur if you lie down (sleep) immediately after eating.
• Ulcers and gastritis: stomach ulcers very often develop in the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori): symptoms and treatment of a bacterial infection of the stomach ">Helicobacter pylori, this is accompanied characteristic symptoms: burning in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, as well as prolonged hiccups.

Other disorders that may be manifested by hiccups include metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, electrolyte imbalance, hypocalcemia and hyponatremia, renal failure, and Addison's disease.

"Seven sips of water" and other remedies for hiccups

We now turn to a description of some remedies for hiccups. In the case of transients, in addition to changing your lifestyle through slower and less plentiful eating, you can resort to "grandmother's" remedies.

From natural remedies The most commonly used hiccup treatments are:

Lemon juice: due to the fact that it is very acidic, due to the presence of citric acid, lemon juice, when ingested (pure and not diluted), causes an immediate cessation of breathing, which can stop the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm. A couple of teaspoons of lemon juice can instantly get rid of hiccups.

Vinegar: also contains an acidic component - acetic acid. Taking a teaspoon of diluted vinegar may be helpful as the reflex constriction of the esophagus blocks involuntary contraction of the diaphragm. However, be careful, acidity, which works well against acid, can cause ulceration of the gastric mucosa.

Water: one of popular means against hiccups - drinking water in small sips. Some people argue that you should drink 7 sips of water with your nose pinched. Drinking water activates certain centers in the brain that can block hiccups.

Sugar: One teaspoon of sugar can stop hiccups due to its structure. Sugar granules, acting on the walls of the esophagus, stimulate the diaphragm and stop involuntary contraction.

fright: with a sudden fright, there is a sudden contraction of the diaphragm, this can “knock down” the hiccups.

sneezing: when sneezing, the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm are involved. Accordingly, if you cause sneezing during hiccups, then you can stop the hiccups.

Holding your breath: stopping breathing for more than ten seconds helps to get rid of hiccups because it blocks the movement of the diaphragm.

Medical Therapy for Hiccups

When hiccups become chronic, it is possible that a doctor may prescribe medication to try and alleviate the irritation. In the treatment of chronic hiccups, antidopaminergic agents, calcium agonists, GABA, and others are used.

Of the antidopaminergic agents acting at the dopamine receptor level, the most commonly used are:

• Metoclopramide, which is an antiemetic but which finds use in the treatment of chronic hiccups. Can be used during pregnancy.
• Aminazine: belongs to antipsychotics, but highly effective in the treatment of hiccups (about 80%). It is not recommended to take this drug for a long period of time as it may cause involuntary movements. Should not be used during pregnancy due to potential teratogenic effect.

Of the calcium agonists, the following are mainly used:

• Nifedipine: therapeutic efficacy is variable and is closely related to the patient's condition. This drug should not be administered during pregnancy because it is not considered safe. The most common side effects are weakness, constipation and heart palpitations.
• Nimodipine: Can be taken either intravenously or orally. Although this drug has been little studied, it shows good efficiency in the treatment of chronic hiccups.

Of the GABA agonists used:

• Valproic acid: has good efficacy. Should not be used during pregnancy as it is teratogenic and has thrombocytopenia and leukopenia among side effects.
• Baclofen: relaxes muscles. At the moment, the drug is considered the most effective for the treatment of chronic hiccups. Among the side effects we can have hypotension and feeling sleepy. Should not be used during pregnancy as it may cross the placenta, but effects on the fetus are unknown.
• Gabapentin: Has good efficacy in the treatment of hiccups. The drug should not be administered during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

If drug therapy not enough to alleviate hiccups, you can use some invasive treatments, such as:

• Probing of the stomach through the nose: a tube is inserted through the nasal cavity, which goes directly to the stomach. This therapy is useful in cases of chronic hiccups due to backflow of gastric juice into the esophagus.
• Phrenic Nerve Anesthesia: A very invasive therapy, performed by injecting an anesthetic at the level of the phrenic nerve, which then loses its ability to transmit nerve impulses.
• Vagus nerve stimulation: A device is implanted in the chest that acts on the vagus nerve and stops hiccups.

sekretizdorovya.ru

Hiccups are involuntary myoclonic contractions of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles that mimic forced inspiration. It sometimes occurs in healthy people (after abundant intake food, consumption of chilled drinks and alcohol, with excitement), lasting no more than a few minutes. Hiccups can be thought of as a reflex caused by changes in the abdominal cavity, which is completed through the "center" of hiccups in the medulla oblongata using the phrenic and vagus nerves.

Causes of hiccups in adults

Every person in the world has experienced hiccups. Even small children know what it is. And when it starts at a crucial moment for you, it is very inappropriate then. It affects anyone, regardless of status, position and age. Maybe she torments you all the time?

Causes of prolonged hiccups

Prolonged debilitating hiccups can be caused by lesions of the central nervous system, in particular

• meningoencephalitis,
• metabolic disorders (with diabetic, uremic or hepatic coma),
• intoxications (alcohol, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, benzodiazepines),
• focal lesions of the brainstem (heart attack or hemorrhage in the brainstem, stem encephalitis, traumatic brain injury, arteriovenous malformations, craniovertebral anomalies).

Hiccups can be a formidable sign of increasing intracranial hypertension or volumetric formation of the posterior cranial fossa.

Hiccups can also be caused by

• compression of the C4 root (for example, with a herniated disc),
• neck tumors (thyroid, neck lymphoma),
• chest lesions (mediastinal tumor, lymphogranulomatosis or sarcoidosis, tumor of the esophagus or lungs, esophageal diverticulum, reflux esophagitis, laryngobronchitis, mediastinitis, myocardial infarction),
• diseases of the abdominal organs (gastrostasis, gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcer, intestinal obstruction, subdiaphragmatic abscess, pancreatitis, diseases of the biliary system, tumors of the stomach, pancreas, liver),
• glaucoma.

Often, especially in young women, hiccups are caused by psychogenic causes.

Careful history taking and physical examination additional methods investigations (chest X-ray, ultrasound procedure abdominal cavity, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, CT scan brain) allow to exclude serious illness, which could cause hiccups. However, in many cases it cannot be found.

Reasons for development episodic hiccups in adults

Episodic hiccups always occur involuntarily. This is a rhythmic inhalation and exhalation with the mouth closed, when the diaphragm is sharply reduced. It suddenly appears, for no apparent reason, and just like that stops.

To date, scientists have not come to a single opinion on what hiccups come from. There are many more axioms. Some opinions of scientists have not been brought to the end.

Simple hiccups are a kind nervous tick. The phrenic nerve sends a signal to the muscles, and they contract. This process occurs for unknown reasons. And how to get rid of such hiccups is also unclear.

Hiccups are associated with the instinct to suck mother's milk.

Hiccups are the presence of nerve cells that are responsible for the work of the gills. These nerve cells have been preserved in the process of evolution.

Hiccups are a consequence of severe stress and fears of a person, as well as other causes of a psychological nature.

Also, hiccups can be a consequence of very serious illnesses: renal failure, tumor development in the esophagus, diaphragm or chest.

12 home remedies for hiccups

Traditional medicine has been looking for ways to overcome this problem for centuries. The most popular way to "scare" does not help, but can only harm, hiccups can develop into stuttering.

We present to you a few effective ways from our grandparents:

reflex way. We press on the root of the tongue, as if inducing a gag reflex. Spasm of the esophagus will help get rid of hiccups (diaphragm spasm).

Grab your tongue and pull it either down or out.

We drink a large glass of water, but in very small sips.

Drink or eat something sour. To save you from tormenting hiccups, vinegar (a little, and diluted with water) or lemon (without sugar) is well suited.

Drink beer with sugar.

Inhale and hold your breath.

Psychological treatment for hiccups. Bet money. We start to hiccup. We bet that when you hiccup the next minute, you will hand over the money. Doctors say it's very effective.

physiological method. If hiccups occur, do push-ups and pump the press until you get rid of the attack. This method does not work for everyone. But you can try. So you get rid of not only hiccups, but correct your figure.

Another very good way, which includes two. We stand straight, we clamp our hands into the lock behind our backs and at the same time drink a glass of water (which is served by another person).

Close your eyes and massage them.

To get rid of hiccups, press your fingers on the neck at the point where the collarbone is attached to the sternum.

Swallow a piece of ice or a dry piece of bread.

These methods are quite enough to get rid of hiccups. When your hiccups appear rarely and pass quickly, you can not pay any attention to it. But if you have this process frequent, hiccup for a very long time, try all the means that you know, and nothing helps, then you just need to contact the doctors. If the problems are rather big, do not hesitate, maybe you have a disease. Go through the examination, take tests, consult with specialists and be healthy. Dear readers, remember that your health is only in your hands!

What should be done for hiccups in adults on an outpatient basis?

Hiccups can often be controlled with simple techniques based on stimulation of receptors in the back of the throat and changes in vagus nerve activity:

the patient is offered to make several swallowing movements,

swallow a piece of sugar for hiccups,

hold your breath after taking a deep breath

change from chest to diaphragmatic breathing

stick out your tongue, inhale the smoke.

What else can be done? Sometimes pressure on the eyeballs or exit points of the phrenic nerve (above the collarbone at the edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle) helps.

Or an attempt to provoke a sneeze (for example, with pepper).

Often, with hiccups, local anesthesia of the nasal mucosa and oropharynx or inhalation is done 10 - 15% carbon dioxide within 3 - 5 minutes, or to re-inhalation of the air that the patient exhaled into a paper bag.

Medical treatments for hiccups in adults

If these procedures are ineffective, Metoclopramide (Cerucal) is used, 10–20 mg intravenously or intramuscularly, Atropine, 0.5–1.0 mg subcutaneously or Scopolamine, 20 mg subcutaneously, neuroleptics (Aminazine, 25–50 mg intramuscularly, Haloperidol, 2 .5 - 5 mg intravenously or intramuscularly).

AT chronic cases hiccups are prescribed orally Metoclopramide, domperidone (Motilium), antacids and H2-receptor blockers (Ranitidine), dopamine agonists (Bromocriptine), Amitriptyline, antiepileptic drugs (Carbamazepine, or Finlepsin, Difenin, Sodium Valproate), Nifedipine (Corinfar), Amantadine (Midantan ).

With prolonged debilitating hiccups and inefficiency medications sometimes used for treatment

• epidural blockade at the cervical level,
• blockade or intersection of the phrenic nerve.

www.AstroMeridian.ru

Hiccups manifest dysfunction respiratory system, in which there is a sharp, involuntary, frequent contraction of the diaphragm in crumbs, adolescents and adults. The main cause of tremors in the sternum is irritation of the stomach. Normally, hiccups are short-term, infrequent. It quickly stops on its own, which is why no treatment is required. But what if the hiccups don't go away? In this case, a comprehensive diagnosis of the whole organism is required to identify pathologies that are accompanied by this symptom. Treatment of pathologically severe hiccups is necessary, since frequent and prolonged shuddering of the diaphragm is fraught with serious consequences.

Hiccups cause discomfort, and its long process can even signal health problems.

Why does it happen?

The reason for the appearance of hiccups can be any. It all depends on general condition organism. Physiological contractions of the diaphragmatic muscle can provoke:

• flaws in the diet: overeating, fasting, poor chewing, quick snacks, swallowing air when communicating during meals;
• taking some heavy painkillers;
• after drinking;
• pregnancy.

Pathological hiccups every day can occur due to:

• renal dysfunction;
• neoplasms, abscess in the chest, esophagus, diaphragm;
• dysfunction of the central nervous system;
• pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract: gastritis, ulcer, duodenitis, GREB, HH.

Causes in a child and an adult

Every infant, preschool child hiccups a lot for a short time, involuntarily for several reasons. In a baby up to a year old, with hiccups, the muscles of the abdominal wall convulsively contract, a specific sound-click appears at regular intervals. Usually, hiccups occur after a meal, especially if the baby is constantly spinning, distracted, talking at the table.

Hiccups in newborns are more common after feeding and are accompanied by regurgitation. In matured children, spasm is due to the use of excessively dry foods, bloating, and increased gas formation in the digestive tract.

Rhythmic contraction in women often appears during pregnancy due to compression of the internal organs by the growing uterus with the fetus. Expectant mothers may feel hiccups in the fetus. Manifestations in this case are similar to rhythmic contractions of the uterus or lower abdomen. The baby hiccups a lot due to swallowing a large amount amniotic fluid. This condition is not dangerous.
If the hiccups do not go away for several days, are accompanied by pain, heartburn, are persistent and persistent, an aged person, and especially an infant, needs immediate help, as these are signs of developing pathologies.

Complications

Chronic strong, non-stop hiccups in children can lead to a number of unpleasant consequences:

• violation of the psycho-emotional state;
• increased anxiety;
• sleep problems.

What complications in an adult with prolonged hiccups should be feared? It:

• chronic fatigue, exhaustion, insomnia;
• psychological stress and tension;
• malnutrition;
• dehydration.

If a person hiccups a lot after surgery, scar healing is delayed.

prolonged hiccups

Hiccups can provoke more than a hundred pathologies. An experienced doctor can recognize the pathology by the accompanying symptoms. But more often, constant hiccups in a person occur against the background of:

• the use of certain medications, such as steroids, tranquilizers, painkillers with opiates, drugs for fluctuations in blood pressure, general anesthesia;
• changes in blood composition after drinking alcohol (a jump in sugar concentration, a drop in calcium or potassium levels);
• disorders of the stomach acid reflux, stretching the walls of the body;
• infection of the gallbladder or in the subphrenic zone;
• pathologies, neoplasms or operations in the neck, chest, abdomen;
• heart disease (heart attack, inflammation of the pericardial zone);
• brain pathologies: stroke, infection, trauma;
• last stages of cancer.

In infants

Hiccups in newborns - frequent occurrence which is completely harmless and does not cause serious discomfort to the baby. More often, the baby suffers from shudders due to instability and underdevelopment of the digestive system. As he grows older, hiccups will appear less frequently. There are cases when babies hiccup due to violations of lifestyle, nutrition and regimen, for example:

• thirst in a child;
• hypothermia;
• swallowing air while feeding;
• unexpected psycho-emotional shock in the form of a loud sound, unexpected bright light;
• overeating, in which the stomach stretches and presses on the diaphragm, causing it to contract in size.

Normally, a newborn hiccups no longer than 10-15 minutes. Longer spasms of the diaphragm can be triggered by some kind of disorder, for example:

• pneumonia;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• spinal cord or brain injury.

The physiological hiccups of the baby do not last for days, quickly stop, which is why no treatment is required, and long-term, continuous attacks require examination and consultation with a doctor.

In children

In older babies, hiccups can also be episodic and prolonged. Causes of a temporary attack:

• eating food dry;
• hypothermia;
• thirst;
• hypothermia;
• nervous overexcitability;
• binge eating.

It is not necessary to treat such hiccups, it is enough to give the child a drink of warm water and distract him with a game. When hypothermia, the baby needs to be warmed, drink warm tea or milk. You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds and exhale.

Grown-up children hiccup for a long time for several days, for the following reasons:

• with constant malnutrition, hypothermia or overeating;
• at serious pathologies, which include:
• diabetes;
• gastritis, ulcer, pancreatitis and other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
• infections in the body;
• damage to the brain or spinal cord;
• neuritis or compression of the phrenic nerve;
• helminthic invasion and giardiasis.

During pregnancy

Why does the expectant mother get hiccups during the period of bearing a baby? It may be related:

• with fears about the upcoming birth;
• constant stress due to their special position;
• changes in the physiological structure of the internal organs due to the growth of the uterus with the fetus, compression of the internal organs with the diaphragm and stretching of the abdominal muscle tissue.

Hiccups may occur in the fetus. In this case, the mother will feel rhythmic shudders inside the abdomen, but this is not a pathology.

Diagnostics

Long, lasting two days or more, hiccups require a thorough examination in order to detect diseases that can provoke its appearance. The complex of diagnostic measures includes:

• blood tests: general tests, electrolytes, urea, creatinine, calcium, liver components, amylase;
• ECG, bicycle ergometry - for the recognition of diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• x-ray, CT, bronchoscopy, spirography - for examining the chest organs;
• FGDS, monometry of the esophagus - to assess the work and condition of the gastrointestinal tract;
• MRI, spinal puncture - to detect disorders of the National Assembly, if a neuroinfection is suspected.

What to do during treatment if hiccups do not go away for a long time?

Short-term hiccups do not require drug treatment. Simple ways can help:

• it is enough for an adult to drink water or hold his breath;
• carrying on the shoulder will help the newborn vertical position for belching air;
• an older baby can be offered to drink warm liquid in small sips with a short breath hold.

Prolonged hiccuping for a day or more requires taking a course of medications, which are selected based on the diagnostic results obtained. In rare cases where continuous hiccups last for three days or more in a row, surgery may help.

Outpatient procedures

Incessant hiccups are stopped by several methods, which are based on the stimulation of receptors located in the back of the throat and the suppression of the sensitivity of the vagus nerve. That is why, in order not to torment hiccups, you should apply one of the methods that can help get rid of it:

1. Making several short swallowing movements.
2. Eat a piece of dry sugar.
3. Hold your breath for a deep breath.
4. Breathe into your chest and belly.
5. Stick your tongue out and inhale the smoke.
6. Squeeze the eyeballs with the pads of the thumbs of both hands or points located in the supraclavicular region of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
7. Provoke a sneeze if you hiccup.
8. 3-5-minute inhalations of 10-15% carbon dioxide solution of the nasopharyngeal mucosa under local anesthesia. To eliminate chronic spasms, a minimum of three procedures will be required.
9. Breath in a paper bag.

Medicines

A long-term problem with hiccups, lasting for the second day in a row, is eliminated by the following medications:

• "Aminazin", "Haloperidol" - to relax the diaphragmatic muscle or reduce the sensitivity of nerve receptors in it, and to stop constant failures;
• "Omeprazole", "Ranitidine" to get rid of stomach problems, restore normal level acidity;
• "Metoclopramide" - for cleaning the stomach;
• "Baclofen" - to relax the muscles;
• "Gabapentin" - to facilitate breathing by reducing the innervation of muscle tissue in the subpulmonary zone;
• "Ketamine" - for intravenous pain relief when other methods and drugs are ineffective;
• "Metoclopramide" - to get rid of hiccups after anesthesia;
• "Midazol" - a sedative to control hiccups and relieve stress due to it.

Medicines should be taken for three days or more.

Operation

With the ineffectiveness of drug treatment, aggravation of hiccups and the appearance of other severe symptoms may decide to proceed with the operation. The method of blocking the phrenic nerve can help. The intervention is performed by laparoscopic technique using endoscopic instruments. To get rid of hiccups in this way, experience, attention and thoroughness are needed, since there is a risk of damage to the nerve playing special role in the body.

Prevention

When making a serious diagnosis, the main preventive measure to prevent incessant hiccups - get rid of the causes that caused it. For example, the body is being rid of pathogens of such pathologies as encephalitis, meningitis, neoplasms in the bone and brain, gastritis or ulcerative lesion stomach.

A good prophylactic for relaxation of the phrenic nerve is a plentiful sweet drink or pure glucose. This will eliminate the hiccups that have been tormenting a person for a long time.

After feeding, babies should be kept upright for some time so that long-term hiccups do not disturb. It is important to ensure that while eating they sit as still as possible, do not swallow air. It is necessary to understand why the spasm of the diaphragm tortured the baby, and to prevent hypothermia, overeating, talking while eating in older children. If the child is frightened, the irritant should be eliminated and the baby reassured. Lemon juice diluted in water can serve as a prevention of hiccups. It is forbidden to frighten children with hiccups, as this can provoke undesirable consequences for the state of the child's nervous system.

Hiccups, causes in adults

The diaphragm, involuntarily contracting, under the influence of a convulsive reflex, pushes out excess gas formation from the stomach. Often the problem occurs due to an excess of oxygen that enters the esophagus with food and during yawning, this is the main cause of hiccups, but not the most serious.

Disorders in the work of the central nervous system can provoke manifestations of hiccups in adults. This phenomenon can be both a consequence of various diseases of an infectious nature, and other factors, the work of which affected the functional activity of the nervous system. An example is an infectious disease complicated by encephalitis, this can affect other symptoms: fever, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes, oral cavity, the formation of a rash on skin(color and type of rash depends on the disease), toxicosis.

Not only infectious diseases can cause malfunctions of the central nervous system, it can be a reaction to stress, trauma, oncological processes that caused changes in the functioning of the brain and spinal cord. Cause frequent occurrence hiccups can become an ordinary fright, or a traumatic brain injury, to which the human instinct reacts in this way.

Physiological

The rapid absorption of food enriched with oxygen and foods that, due to their metabolic properties in the process of digestion, provide for the accumulation of gases in the stomach require natural release. It's normal physiological phenomenon, which does not require treatment and after the natural release of excess accumulated gases, hiccups go away on their own.

If hiccups do not stop for a long period (more than 15 minutes), it is possible that the reason lies in some other factors that require additional diagnosis by specialists.

toxic

Hiccups in adults against the background of toxic poisoning are by no means a rare phenomenon, and there are several reasons for this manifestation:

• Damage to the central nervous system by toxic substances: alcohol, various poisons, side effects of medications.
• The presence of diseases in which metabolism is disturbed and the amount of sugar in the blood increases (diabetes mellitus).
• Uremia, as a result of which there are serious violations of the kidneys, with a decrease in their performance and partial or complete inability to remove toxic substances from the blood.
• Complications caused by general anesthesia.
• Toxicosis, which arose against the background of infectious diseases.

Only experts determine the cause toxic effects on the human body, which will be manifested by bouts of hiccups.

Consequence of diseases

Not always an attack of hiccups is a reflex phenomenon that is safe for the body. If you make a list of pathological factors that can provoke this phenomenon, it will turn out to be very impressive in terms of the number of names. To make it easier to diagnose the causes of hiccups, experts divided them into types for ease of classification:

• Damage or malfunction of the central nervous system. Debilitating, sometimes for a whole day, such hiccups are direct evidence of the possible presence and impact of various types of diseases.
• Increased metabolism. The cause of development may be hepatic, diabetic or uremic coma.
• Toxicosis, as a result of poisoning with barbiturates, muscle relaxants (a good example: a drunk person walks or sits and often hiccups).
• Spine (pathology). Diseases of all parts of the spine, including the cervical, brain, impaired circulation of the circulatory system.
• Gastrointestinal tract (pathology). Almost all diseases of the stomach, duodenum, bile excretory system.
• Oncology (pathology). When the disease affects almost all internal organs, including the respiratory organs, as well as intracranial pressure with a tendency to increase.

With all of these types of pathological hiccups in adults, the manifestation rarely resolves in less than 20 minutes. The difficulty of diagnosing the causes that provoke hiccups is an additional difficulty in solving the problem.

Cause of hiccups in adults

In addition to the listed factors that can provoke the appearance of prolonged hiccups, there are several more reasons that cause this phenomenon:

• A large amount of cold liquid drunk at one time.
• Compression of one or a group of nerves (uncomfortable posture, long sitting or lying down).
• As a result of fear (there is a reflex deep inhalation).

Idiopathic hiccups (uncaused) are the longest, can last 10-12 minutes and are not dangerous.

Hiccups after eating in adults, causes

Hiccups on the background of eating in adults are divided into a dangerous and safe type of manifestation. In cases where there is no cause for concern, the following factors included:

• Fast eating. During breakfasts, lunches and other meals in a hurry, there is no thoroughness of grinding food. During the process of eating, excess oxygen is captured by the digestive organs along with inhalation, which causes a “dump” reflex of excess gas formation from the intestine. The reason for the manifestation is irritation of the vagus nerve, injuries of the walls of the esophagus, provoking spasm of the diaphragm.
• Frequent overeating. As in the case of fast eating, there is a capture by the digestive organs of excess oxygen, which causes a spasmodic reflex of the diaphragm. Also, under the weight of food, the vagus nerve is compressed, which, when inhaled, does not allow the diaphragm to descend.
• Alcohol and its abuse. Under the influence of alcohol, malfunctions of the nervous system occur, which affect the foci of excitation, which is the cause of hiccups.
• Against the background of hypothermia, immediately after eating.

In the same list, you can add meals, accompanied by a lively conversation, laughter. The saying: "When I eat, I am deaf and dumb" as it is impossible, by the way, applies to this particular case.

To hazards that cause hiccups, experts include:

• Myocardial infarction. In some cases, the body signals a spasm of the diaphragm about the disease.
• As one of the symptoms of pneumonia, in which hiccups can also appear after eating.
• Against the background of infectious diseases (encephalitis), disruption of the central nervous system in case of traumatic brain injury, stress, mental failure caused by various factors.
• As a consequence of operations on the back and gastrointestinal tract.
• The presence of serious diseases.

Frequent hiccups, causes in adults

There are a lot of factors why the frequency of hiccups exceeds the usual time limits: from improper behavior at the table, ending with the appearance oncological neoplasms in the form of tumors and other diseases that have become chronic.

These same factors include the failure of the central nervous system, various mechanical injuries, fears, hypothermia, and even, as one of the symptoms of the development of diseases, such as pneumonia or myocardial infarction.

From external causes the appearance of frequent hiccups can provoke the treatment of diseases by chemotherapy. Sometimes the delay in the act of hiccups can reach several hours.

Causes of prolonged hiccups in adults

As in all other cases, reflex work diaphragm depends on many factors, this affects both the frequency of hiccups and the duration of organ contractions. The main causes of prolonged hiccups can be:

• Psychological condition. Hysteria, stress, anxiety, anxiety - all of these factors can cause prolonged hiccups.
• Previous back or organ surgery gastrointestinal tract.
• Diseases that cause an involuntary diaphragm contraction reflex.

For a more detailed study of the problem, it is necessary to diagnose the organs and the correct functioning of them.

The ideal solution to the problem is to stop hiccups on your own, but if this does not happen, and the manifestation lasts for a long period, there are several methods of treatment that are used both at home and in other places:

• Drink some water in small sips.
• Take a deep breath, then exhale it in small portions, delaying the process as long as possible.
• With the help of a paper bag, without removing it from the face, perform several exercises according to the principle: “inhale-exhale”.

Since malfunctions in the digestive systems can also cause hiccups, this problem can be treated in the following ways:

• Eat a spoonful of honey or sugar with a glass of cold water.
• If the cause of hiccups is alcohol, you need to eat something hot and preferably liquid.
• A slice of lemon or grapefruit.

Hiccup medications

Medications in case of hiccups are prescribed only if the specialists have made a diagnosis and identified a source that is a provoking factor.

The reason for prescribing pills for hiccups involves the following cases:

• Delaying the manifestation for a long period.
• Regularity of manifestation.
• The presence of diseases that provoke hiccups.

The surgical type of treatment involves the use of novocaine, which blocks the nerves of the diaphragm, improves the functioning of the nervous system. Among the others medicines, appointed by experts included:

• Haloperedol.
• Scopolamine.
• Corvalol.

Home remedies for hiccups

In the case when an attack of hiccups appeared suddenly, for no reason, you can use remedies that are considered folk and cannot cause any harm to the body:

• It is necessary to inhale as much air as possible, hold it as much as possible in the lungs and exhale in portions (3-4 times).
• Drink a glass of water, preferably at a time.
• Drink water (a glass) without taking breaths.
• Eat a spoonful of honey or sugar without drinking.
• Raise and lower your arms, inhaling on the rise and exhaling on the lowering.
• Close your mouth and nose with a bag or something similar for a while (as long as possible) and exhale and inhale only the air that is in it. The maximum tightness of the fit of the material is needed to cut off air from the outside.
• Lie on your side and lie down a little calmly, stretching your arms along the body.
• Lie on your back, raise your arms and try to create an amplitude with your arm and elbow to form chest oscillations.
• Ask your family to drink yourself from a glass, leaning forward yourself, connecting and stretching your hands behind your back.
• Apply a cold compress to the throat for a minute.
• Use of a mustard plaster on the back of the neck.
• Compress from a heating pad with ice in the area of ​​​​the diaphragm.
• Mix a glass of water with 100 gr. lemon juice and drink in one gulp.
• 20 drops of Corvalol or Volocardine in a glass of cold water.
• Put a little salt on the tip of the tongue and press it against the sky for a while, relaxing as much as possible (lie down or sit comfortably in a chair).
• Don't massage too hard eyeballs(in the absence of diseases of the organ).

There is a category of people who are biased, even with superstition, related to hiccups, traces of which are the heredity of the Slavic people. Cases of hiccups suggest the beginning of all sorts of negative manifestations that await a person in the future. In some ways, the people correctly noticed: if you leave the problem to chance and do not diagnose the cause of frequent manifestations, this can cause the development of serious diseases.

Hiccups are so commonplace that they have never been given much importance. It is faced by both children and adults, and there are a great many ways to deal with it. But is everything as simple and harmless as it seems at first glance? First of all, it is worth understanding what are the causes of hiccups in adults.

Hiccups is a physiological process in which the muscles of the diaphragm and intercostal space contract synchronously, while the airways close, and the air passing through the larynx causes characteristic sound. Despite the fact that hiccups do not bring pain, they are very annoying and make it difficult to concentrate on anything.

It turns out that hiccups can cause whole line reasons.

• Hypothermia, especially after drinking alcohol.
• Too fast or excessive eating. Full stomach presses on the diaphragm, causing it to contract. Especially often, hiccups occur if you get carried away with dry food and quick snacks. You can't just eat a bun or a sausage sandwich and run on. Be sure to drink everything enough liquids. But it should be borne in mind that soda is one of the provocateurs of diaphragm spasms.
• Stress, nervous tension, overwork can also cause hiccups. This is due to the overstrain of the nervous system and the supply of false signals that irritate the diaphragm. Hiccups may be accompanied by nausea, general weakness, absent-mindedness.
• Uncomfortable posture. This is due to a change in the pressure of the internal organs on the diaphragm. But as soon as you straighten up, the hiccups subside.

How hiccups form

How to deal with hiccups

On average, hiccups last about 10-15 minutes, and it is quite possible to cope with it. Hundreds, if not thousands, have been invented for this. various ways. From physical exercises to conspiracies and prayers.

• If hiccups have come as a result of hypothermia, it is enough to drink a glass of warm liquid (in no case alcohol!) in small sips. Also, warm socks and a blanket will come to the rescue. Once you get warm, the hiccups will go away.
• A very deep breath will also calm the diaphragm and relieve you of annoying spasms. To do this, you need to breathe in full and a little more. If the first time did not work, the breath was not deep enough.
• Fright is considered a great way to deal with hiccups. But here the main thing is not to overdo it, so that a person suffering from hiccups does not earn a nervous tic.
• There is a very interesting study that studied such a method of dealing with hiccups as rectal massage. But positive feedback there is not so much about him, as in other things and negative ones. It is not customary to share such experience in a decent society.
• A few squats will stabilize the diaphragm and hiccups will stop.
• If physical data and acrobatic skills allow, you can stand on your head. Or just lie down so that the head is below the level of the body.
• Another way is to drink a whole glass of water at a time, in small sips.
• Surprisingly, a teaspoon of granulated sugar helps. It must be eaten without drinking anything.
• A cold compress or ice can be applied to the throat to soothe the hiccups.
• Money dispute! Suddenly? But as it turned out, this method works great. One has only to bet that the next time you hiccup for sure, so immediately the hiccups pass.

One way to stop hiccups is to drink a glass of water.

Any of the methods presented will help you overcome an annoying ailment.

When is hiccups a cause for concern?

With all the safety of this process, there are still conditions in which hiccups are a symptom of a serious pathology. If hiccups do not stop for more than half an hour, or appear too often, it signals a violation of the body. These include:

Central nervous system lesions. In this case, the hiccups take on an intense and long-lasting character. Diseases that cause hiccups include meningitis, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. Even a concussion can cause hiccups. The cause of this or that disease is various kinds of infections.

Infections, the complications of which lead to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain):

• measles is an acute infectious disease. Symptoms: hyperthermia, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and upper respiratory tract, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye) and skin rash. There is a vaccine for this disease.
• chicken pox is an acute infectious disease. Symptoms: high fever, general viral intoxication (poisoning of the body) and a characteristic rash. It is a mistake to assume that having had chickenpox in childhood you get immunity. The chances of her getting sick again in 10 years are quite high. Doctors recommend getting vaccinated every 10 years.
• rubella is an acute viral disease. Symptoms: general intoxication of the body, high fever, conjunctivitis, rash on the lower back, buttocks, on the inner surfaces of the hands and an increase in cervical lymph nodes. Rubella is especially dangerous in pregnant women. It causes pathological changes in the development of the fetus.
• malaria is an infectious disease. The patient has fever, chills, enlarged liver, spleen, and anemia ( low content iron in the blood)
• influenza is an acute viral disease. It is characterized by very high fever, cough, runny nose and severe general intoxication;
• toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease. It is characterized by high fever, enlarged liver, spleen, headache and nausea.

Infections, the complication of which will be meningitis (inflammation of the meninges):

• meningococcal infection is an acute infectious disease, accompanied by damage to the pharynx, nose, and meninges. There is a general intoxication of the body;
• syphilis - venereal disease sexually transmitted. It is characterized by damage to the skin, mucous membranes, internal organs, bones and nervous system;
• mumps (mumps) - inflammation of the parotid salivary gland. More common in children. There is a vaccine for this disease;
• rubella.

Metabolic disorders in diabetes, kidney and liver disease.

Intoxication. Occurs when the body is poisoned (for example, with alcohol or mushroom poisoning).

Postoperative period. Irritation can be caused by a change in the position of the internal organs, swelling of the tissues. Hiccups are also a side effect of anesthesia.

Some diseases such as:

• Tumors of the lungs. Sometimes this is due to smoking, complications of pneumonitis.
• Pleurisy. This is an inflammation of the pleura, the membrane that covers the lungs.
• Damage to the diaphragm and phrenic nerve - neuritis.
• Compression of the phrenic nerve by a mediastinal tumor ( anatomical education in the middle sections of the chest).
• Diaphragmatic hernia. Occurs if abdominal part The esophagus moves through the esophageal opening of the diaphragm into the chest cavity. It is treated by surgery.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the reflux of the acidic contents of the stomach (a mixture of gastric juice and food eaten) into the esophagus and, as a result, irritation and damage to its walls. It can threaten perforation of the walls of the esophagus, and as a result, peritonitis.
• Food intolerance or allergy (in this case, food).
• Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach. Most often caused by malnutrition.
• Dyspepsia of the stomach - Neurosis, manifested by a complex of symptoms associated with pain, discomfort, burning sensation in the stomach, arising against the background of nervous disorders such as depression, tantrums, emotional and mental stress.
• Peptic ulcer of the stomach, duodenum - the formation of defects in the mucous membrane of the stomach, duodenum different depth- erosions and ulcers.
• Cholecystitis - inflammation of the gallbladder, postcholecystectomy syndrome (a condition that occurs after surgery to remove the gallbladder).
• Cholelithiasis.
• Duodenogastric reflux - reflux of duodenal contents (mixtures bile acids, semi-digested food and biologically active substances) into the stomach and, as a result, irritation and damage to its walls.
• Tumors of the gastrointestinal tract - stomach, pancreas, esophagus, intestines.
• Stenosis (narrowing) of the pylorus of the stomach, cancer (malignant tumor) of the stomach.

Hiccups also appear with increasing intracranial pressure. This pathology is more common in children.

Frequent hiccups can be provoked by chemotherapy. Cancer patients receive a huge dose of a variety of powerful drugs. This leads to extensive disruption of the body. In some cases, hiccups can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and general weakness.

At pathological hiccups, a characteristic feature is the duration (sometimes for hours) and the absence of the usual factors that provoke hiccups (overeating, hypothermia, etc.). It is also worth paying attention to concomitant symptoms:

• lethargy, weakness;
• discomfort in the abdomen;
• heartburn;
• mild dizziness;
• sweating;
• elevated temperature.

In case of the slightest suspicion of the unhealthy nature of hiccups, you should consult a doctor and do not try to make a diagnosis yourself.

How is the diagnosis

If you suspect the pathological nature of hiccups, the doctor prescribes a number of studies:

• Blood analysis. It will help determine the presence inflammatory processes, their character. Also, a blood test can diagnose diabetes and kidney failure.
• Endoscopic studies. They are carried out to exclude physiological changes in the structure of the larynx, esophagus and diaphragm.
• Radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging. With their help, you can study the structure of the chest and the state of the vagus and phrenic nerves.

Some examinations require additional preparation. For example, a blood test for sugar is taken on an empty stomach. About the nuances of the examination should be clarified with the doctor.

Hiccup treatment

By itself, hiccups do not require any special treatment. It goes away on its own, or after application folk remedies. If hiccups have a pathological character, then it is not the hiccups themselves that should be treated - a symptom, but the disease that provokes it. The correct treatment can only be prescribed by a qualified specialist, based on the collected history, examinations and a thorough examination.

It is interesting: In the Guinness Book of Records, an interesting case is recorded when a certain Charles Osborne hiccupped for 68 years, while the hiccups stopped a year before his death. He died at the very advanced age of 97 due to a stomach ulcer.

Hiccups in young children and during pregnancy

Even before birth, while in the womb, children periodically hiccup. Expectant mothers often feel this hiccups as a rhythmic contraction inside the abdomen. Such hiccups are not dangerous for the unborn baby and do not cause him discomfort. It is even useful, because is a breathing exercise. But if hiccups appear too often and at the same time last for a very long time, then it is worth informing the doctor about this in order to exclude fetal hypoxia. Normally, intrauterine hiccups can occur from several times a day (not for a long time) to one or two episodes per week. Learn more about hiccups in babies prenatal period development is available on our website.

After the birth, babies hiccup already for similar reasons as adults. Experiencing at the same time not the most pleasant sensations. First of all, hiccups in babies in the first year of life are associated with the ingress of air during feeding. And also with overeating, hypothermia, anxiety and fear.

Hiccups in older children are provoked by the same factors as in adults: overeating, eating dry food, poor chewing of food, etc. It is also customary to fight it with traditional methods.

Before you panic and run to all the well-known doctors, analyze if you have experienced severe stress and anxiety. Try to record accompanying symptoms, if any. And only after that, contact a therapist, gastroenterologist, neurologist or surgeon. Do not be embarrassed to go to the doctor with such a seemingly ridiculous and frivolous problem. Your health is primarily in your own hands.

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"Hiccups, hiccups, go to Fedot,
From Fedot to Yakov, from Yakov to everyone,
And with everyone ... go you hiccups
To my swamp ... ".

Great conspiracy from hiccups. The most interesting, often helps. Until now, some people seriously think that hiccups are an "evil spirit" that has invaded, which should be driven out, or is it a message from a person who suddenly remembered. Others generally went far, conducting divination by hiccups, depending on the days of the week, and even the time of day, evaluating the signs by the hour when the person began to hiccup.

But it has long been known that hiccups are not anomalous phenomenon, but a very real reflex reaction of the body to various factors. Most often, hiccups are harmless, pass through several dozen "hiccups", do not repeat and do not cause trouble to a person. But also hiccups can be one of symptoms any disease, and even exhaust the patient with constant attacks.

So, hiccups are an uncontrolled physiological reflex phenomenon, leading to a short-term respiratory failure. With hiccups, spontaneous inspiration occurs due to contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, but unlike normal inspiration, air does not enter the lungs due to the epiglottis blocking the airways. So there is a kind of shortness of breath.

Why does hiccups occur?

In order to understand how hiccups occur, it is necessary to understand how breathing occurs and what provides breathing.

How does breathing happen?

So, when you inhale, air enters the upper respiratory tract, through the larynx into the trachea, bronchi and alveoli. During inhalation, the respiratory muscles contract: the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. In this case, the diaphragm, which in a relaxed state has the shape of a dome, flattens, and the chest with the sternum rises, thereby providing a pressure difference and air entering the lungs. Exhalation occurs spontaneously due to the relaxation of the respiratory muscles.

Picture 1. Schematic representation of the change in the diaphragm during inhalation and exhalation.

When swallowing, the airways are blocked by the epiglottis. This is necessary so that food does not enter the trachea and bronchi. When talking, the vocal cords that are in the larynx close - so when the air flow moves through them, sounds are formed.

Breathing regulation. Breathing is regulated by the nervous system. It is responsible for the centers of respiration, which are located in medulla oblongata brain, and work automatically. Information about the increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the blood comes to the center of respiration, they transmit impulses to the respiratory muscles, they contract - inhalation occurs. The vagus nerve "follows" the stretching of the lungs, which transmits impulses to respiratory centers- respiratory muscles relax and exhalation occurs.

Nervus vagus. The vagus nerve (nervus vagus) is involved in causing hiccups. This is a complex nerve that comes from the brain and performs many functions. It is the vagus nerve that is responsible for the work of internal organs, heart activity, vascular tone, protective reflexes, such as cough and vomiting, regulates the digestive process. When it is irritated, a hiccup reflex occurs.

What happens during hiccups and how does the characteristic sound come about?

1. Irritation of the vagus nerve by various factors (overeating, hypothermia, alcohol, etc.).
2. The vagus nerve transmits nerve impulses to the spinal cord and brain.
3. The central nervous system decides on the spontaneous contraction of the respiratory muscles. The respiratory centers temporarily lose control of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
4. The diaphragm and intercostal muscles suddenly begin to convulsively contract, but at the same time the epiglottis blocks the airways, the vocal cords close.

Figure 2. Schematic representation of hiccups.

5. An inhalation occurs, but the air flow cannot enter the lungs due to the epiglottis, the air hits the vocal cords - this is how the characteristic “hic” sound occurs.
6. The reflex arc of hiccups starts.
7. The action of the vagus nerve ends, the level of carbon dioxide in the blood rises, the centers of respiration take control of respiratory muscles, normal breathing is restored, hiccups stop. If irritation of the vagus nerve continues, bouts of hiccups are repeated.

Irritation of the vagus nerve occurs when:

• disorder of the nervous system;
• disruption of the digestive organs;
• irritation of the pharynx and larynx;
• inflammation of the lungs and pleura;
• mechanical compression of the vagus nerve;
• in case of cardiac arrhythmias.

That is, hiccups can be a sign or symptom of a disease of organs that are controlled by the vagus nerve.

Causes of hiccups

What happens and why does hiccups appear? And the reasons are very diverse, it can be temporary factors or various diseases.

Hiccups in healthy people

Hiccups sometimes occur for a short time, this may be due to such reasons:

1. Hiccups after eating: overeating, fast eating, mixing food with liquids, drinking carbonated drinks, bloating with improper diet or eating "bloating" foods.

2. Hiccups while eating: fast absorption of food, talking with a "full mouth", the use of large volumes of water with food.

3. Hiccups after alcohol: severe alcohol intoxication, a large number of snacks, taking alcoholic beverages on an empty stomach or through a cocktail tube.

4. Swallowing air after laughter, a loud cry, singing, a long conversation.

7. Air pollution smoke, smog, dust.

8. Nervous Hiccups: fright, nervous strain, emotional experience.

All these factors temporarily irritate the nerve endings of the branches of the vagus nerve and lead to the launch of an episodic attack of hiccups. After the effect on these receptors is eliminated, hiccups disappear, usually this happens after 1-20 minutes. Hiccups may be relieved by belching air, moving food more quickly out of the stomach, or after recovery from stress.

Hiccups as a symptom of the disease

But hiccups can be a manifestation of various diseases. Then it will be long-term, regularly repeated, and it is more difficult to get rid of such hiccups.

Diseases that contribute to the occurrence of hiccups:

Diseases	The main symptoms of diseases	The nature and characteristics of hiccups in this disease
Diseases digestive system: hepatitis; stomach cancer and other abdominal tumors.	Heartburn; belching; nausea, vomiting; abdominal pain; heaviness after eating; change in appetite; hiccups.	Hiccups in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract occur frequently, attacks are usually not long, sometimes it can be observed persistent hiccups, which does not pass within a day or more. You can cope with such hiccups with strict adherence to the appropriate diet and doctor's recommendations.
Respiratory diseases: pharyngitis; laryngitis; pneumonia.	sore throat; hoarseness of voice; cough; dyspnea; noisy breathing; with pleurisy - pain in the chest.	hiccups - atypical symptom for these diseases, but these pathologies can lead to irritation of the nerve receptors of the branches of the vagus nerve, which can cause hiccups. If such hiccups have arisen, then it is regular, disappears with recovery. Plentiful warm drink, breathing exercises, airing the room will help.
Neurological pathologies: condition after a stroke; tumors of the brain or spinal cord; epilepsy and more.	focal neurological symptoms; muscle weakness, etc.	Hiccups are also not an obligatory symptom of neurological pathologies, but if it occurs, then long and persistent hiccups are usually observed, which can last for days and years. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to cope with such hiccups, it is important to take the recommended therapy for the treatment of the underlying disease. Relieve the state of sedatives, antipsychotics and muscle relaxants.
Diseases of the heart and blood vessels: heart attack;	Pain in the chest, radiating to the left arm; dyspnea; feeling of heartbeat; increased blood pressure, etc.	Hiccups in heart disease are rare, but they can be the very first symptom of an aortic aneurysm, coronary insufficiency and myocardial infarction.
Intoxication Syndrome: alcohol addiction; chemical poisoning; chemotherapy for cancer; overdose or side effects some medicines; liver or kidney failure.	Weakness; increase in body temperature; vomiting, nausea; headache, dizziness; dyspnea; impaired consciousness, etc.	Hiccups often occur against the background of the action of various toxins, which is associated with toxic effect to the nervous system. Hiccups are persistent, disappear after detoxification therapy.
Hiccups after surgery: in the mediastinum and on the organs of the chest cavity; on the abdominal organs; ENT operations.	Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat); lowering blood pressure up to shock; dizziness; disturbance of consciousness; convulsions; cyanosis of the extremities; dyspnea; indigestion and other manifestations of autonomic disorders.	Damage to the main trunk of the vagus can lead to shock, cardiac arrest, breathing and death, since this nerve is responsible for the work of all internal organs. Hiccups may occur immediately after surgery if the branches of the vagus nerve are damaged during surgery. Such hiccups are stubborn and constant, it is not always possible to cope with it. Ease the state of neuroleptics and other potent psychotic drugs.
Tumors: brain; larynx; lungs and mediastinum; stomach and other abdominal organs.	Symptoms can be very diverse, from no symptoms to pain and intoxication. The presence of a tumor is confirmed by x-ray, tomographic methods and biopsy.	Tumors can mechanically compress the branches or trunk, and in the brain, the nucleus of the vagus nerve, which can manifest itself as persistent round-the-clock hiccups. Also, hiccups may appear after surgical treatment or chemotherapy of the tumor. Only powerful psychopathic drugs can alleviate hiccups.

It would seem that there are many reasons for hiccups, but they can not always be identified. Hiccups and the mechanisms of its occurrence are still a mystery to medicine. There are a lot of cases of prolonged and persistent hiccups, for which it would seem that there are no grounds. As a result, doctors cannot always help hiccuping patients.

Hiccups: causes. Hiccups as a symptom of a serious illness - video

Is hiccups dangerous?

Periodic short-term hiccups happen to everyone and does not pose any danger to human life and health.

But, as we found out, hiccups are not only a temporary reflex phenomenon, but can also be a manifestation of severe diseases of the heart, brain, and some types of tumors. At the same time, hiccups themselves do not threaten life and do not aggravate the course of these diseases, but should alert and push to go to the doctors for examination and necessary treatment.

You don’t die from hiccups, you can die from diseases that provoke prolonged hiccups.

By the way, not a single case of death of a child or an adult from hiccups has been described in the world.

Another thing - psychological discomfort. Of course, constant hiccups interfere Everyday life man, it torments anyone. A person feels uncomfortable in front of others, at night "hic" can interfere with sleep and eat, and indeed - persistent hiccups are difficult to control and drive some to despair. What can we say about hiccups that last for months and years.

How to quickly get rid of hiccups?

Hiccups are not a disease, therefore, it cannot be cured. Its occurrence does not depend on us, as in most cases, and the cessation of an attack. But hiccups are very annoying, it is hard to breathe, speak and concentrate on something is simply impossible. There are many ways to stop hiccups. Some of them are very simple, others are quite extreme. All of them can be used at home, and are inherently traditional medicine.

Each person has their own effective method of dealing with hiccups. Everything, as always, is very individual.

What is needed to stop hiccups?

1. Release of the vagus nerve from irritation.

2. Relaxation of the diaphragm.

3. Calming, switching and distraction of the nervous system from the reflex.

4. Stimulation of the respiratory center of the brain.

Interesting! Hiccups are easier to stop as long as you hiccup no more than 10 times. If this did not happen, then you will have to suffer with hiccups and try several methods of dealing with it.

Proven effective methods and ways to get rid of hiccups

Breathing and breathing exercises for hiccups:

1. After a few deep breaths, hold your breath while inhaling. The effect will be enhanced if you mentally count to 10, 20 or 30, jump, do a few bends or any physical exercise. You can drink water while holding your breath. Also, with a breath hold, you can simply tighten the abdominal muscles. This method is called Valsava maneuver. The main thing is that the exhalation should be slow and calm.
2. Rapid breathing within a minute.
3. Blow up a balloon or release a lot of soap bubbles. This will not only relax the diaphragm, but also bring positive emotions that can block the hiccup reflex.
4. Breathe through a paper bag, but don't overdo it.

2. Try not to pass on and eat right, do not eat before going to bed, walk more on fresh air. Frequent small meals and "light meals" are the key proper digestion, wellness and normal weight.

3. Do not be nervous about trifles - this not only leads to hiccups, but also to impaired fetal circulation. Only positive emotions are useful for the baby and mother.

4. Drink water in different ways in small sips after holding your breath for a short time.

5. With heartburn, bicarbonate mineral water (Borjomi, Essentuki) will help. The main thing is to release gases and drink in small quantities in small sips.

6. You can eat a slice of lemon or orange.

7. Breathing exercises is also effective, but you can not overdo it - a strong overstrain of the abdominal muscles is not recommended for expectant mothers.

8. Physical exercises for pregnant women are undesirable, especially in the period up to 12 weeks. The knee-elbow position will help reduce pressure on the diaphragm and the vagus nerve. Stay in it for a few minutes, this will not only help to cope with hiccups, but also unload other organs, in particular the kidneys and vena cava, reduce swelling, pelvic and lumbar pain. If hiccups torment you in a dream, then lie on your side or in a reclining position.

9. Suck on a piece of sugar or a spoonful of honey.

11. Do not try to scare a pregnant woman: she will not stop hiccuping, and the nervous system will suffer, the tone of the uterus will increase, and even the baby can turn into an incorrect presentation, for example, into a pelvic one.

But hiccups can also indicate that the baby is uncomfortable. If hiccups last more than 20 minutes and are accompanied by pronounced motor activity of the fetus, this is a cause for concern and an urgent trip to the doctor. Prolonged hiccups may be the cause of oxygen deficiency or fetal hypoxia. Hypoxia always negatively affects the baby, can lead to a delay prenatal development, to congenital pathologies of the central nervous system, premature birth.

Hiccups in newborns

Hiccups in babies are very common, and quite normal. Babies normally hiccup much more often than adults.

Why do newborn babies often hiccup?

Frequent hiccups in newborns are associated with the physiological characteristics of this age:

• Immaturity of the nervous system- as a result, the nerve endings of the vagus nerve and the regulatory centers of the brain are very sensitive to various annoying factors, resulting in diaphragmatic contraction and hiccups.
• Immaturity of the digestive system- low enzymes, intestinal cramps, small stomach quickly and often lead to overeating and bloating.

Therefore, even seemingly minor irritants can lead to hiccups. In premature babies, there is even greater immaturity of the internal organs and nervous system, so they hiccup even more often.

Causes of hiccups in babies

1. Hiccups after feeding- This is the most common variant of hiccups. It is especially pronounced in formula-fed children. During sucking, especially through the nipple, the baby swallows air, which leads to bloating. Excess air irritates the vagus nerve receptors and provokes an attack of hiccups. Also, hiccups begin if the child overeats, excess food, like excess air, irritates the vagus nerve. Formula-fed babies overeat more often. Breast milk can also trigger hiccups if the nursing mother is not on a diet.

2. Hypothermia. Children are more sensitive to low temperatures, which is associated with imperfect thermoregulation. For this reason, children very quickly become overcooled and overheated. During hypothermia, in order to generate heat, the body tones all the muscles, including the diaphragm. Any freezing can end in hiccups.

3. "Nervous hiccups." The baby may also be nervous, he may also not like something, but he still does not know how to restrain his emotions. Therefore, any "discontent" can lead to crying and hiccups. In addition to excitation of the nervous system, while crying, the child additionally swallows air, which contributes to hiccups.

4. Unpleasant odors, polluted and smoky air irritates the branches of the vagus nerve in the throat.

5. SARS also causes hiccups in babies.

Various diseases of the respiratory, nervous, digestive, of cardio-vascular system can lead to pathological hiccups, the attack of which lasts more than 20 minutes and is constantly repeated.

Pathological hiccups are often found in children with hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, congenital pathologies of the stomach and intestines, as well as heart defects.

How to rid a baby of hiccups?

1. It is important to continue breastfeeding, and if necessary artificial feeding you should use only highly adapted mixtures that are ideal for your baby. Nursing women will have to stick to a diet, do not eat foods that increase gas formation, fatty, fried, smoked, spicy and too sweet.
2. Don't overfeed your baby. If with breastfeeding the child in most cases eats no more than he needs, then with artificial feeding it is very easy to overeat. Even the packaging with the mixture often indicates larger amounts of single feeding than recommended by pediatricians.
3. Before feeding, lay the baby on his stomach for 5-10 minutes. This will improve intestinal motility and free it from excess gases, prepare it for a new meal.
4. After feeding, hold the baby in an upright "soldier" position in order to allow excess air swallowed during meals to escape and not cause bloating.
5. Feed your baby one serving, do not supplement him 10-20 minutes after the main meal, because. this will increase gas production and may lead to hiccups and regurgitation.
6. Don't feed your baby more often than every 2.5-3 hours. Free feeding is good, but the baby needs time to digest the previous portion. Too much frequent meals leads to overeating increased gas formation and indigestion.
7. "Don't annoy" your child. Take him in your arms more often, rock and sing lullabies. Nothing soothes like a mother's hands and voice.
8. Massage for babies and active movements will help to cope with hiccups. You can just lightly pat the baby on the "diaper" or pat on the back.
9. In most cases, hiccups go away if the child is distracted, shown a new toy, told or sung something, tickled on the heel, patted on the head, or played some kind of fun game with the baby.
10. Avoid hypothermia and overheating.
11. Do not try to scare the child with hiccups!

Can I feed my baby during hiccups?

If the child hiccups, and this is not due to overeating, then you can feed him or give him some water or tea to drink. Drinking and sucking warmly will help manage hiccups. But if hiccups occur after overeating, then any additional volume in the stomach can increase its attack.

Hiccups in a newborn - video

Hiccups in a newborn baby after feeding, what to do: personal experience of a young mother - video

Why do drunk people hiccup? How to get rid of hiccups after alcohol?

Hiccups on the background alcohol intoxication is a fairly common occurrence. It is intense in nature, can persist for a long time, unnerving not only the most drunk, but also the people around him.

Alcohol can not only lead to hiccups, but affects the entire body at the same time and starts all the processes for the occurrence of convulsive contraction of the diaphragm.

Causes of drunken hiccups

• The toxic effect of alcohol on the central nervous system. Alcohol completely disorients the centers of the brain and increases the excitability of nerve receptors. And this is good conditions for the development of the hiccup reflex arc. The risk of developing drunken hiccups directly depends on the degree and number of glasses.
• Irritant effect of alcohol on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. This leads to irritation of the vagus nerve receptors and hiccups. The effect is enhanced when alcohol is taken on an empty stomach, in the presence of various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as with an abundance of snacks.
• Chronic alcoholic hepatitis often develops in chronic alcoholic hepatitis, which is manifested by an enlarged liver that compresses the branches of the vagus nerve. With the development of cirrhosis of the liver, the phenomena of venous congestion in the hepatic vessels increase. Dilated vessels can also lead to irritation of nerve receptors and hiccups.
• Even "fumes" or alcohol vapors that are released from the stomach and lungs of a drunk person irritate the nerve endings of the esophagus and larynx, which can also trigger hiccups.

It is important to remember that hiccups can be associated not only with the direct effects of alcohol, but also with other serious problems that it can provoke. For example, a heart attack, stroke, acute liver and kidney failure can start with hiccups. Also, hiccups can appear when poisoning with methanol and other surrogates. In this case, it is long-term, not amenable to relief by the usual methods, may be accompanied by impaired consciousness and the presence of other symptoms. In such cases, it is necessary to urgently transport the patient to medical institution and provide first aid.

So, a seemingly harmless reflex like hiccups can become a sign serious problems in the human body, threatening not only health, but also human life.

How to help a drunk hiccup?

What to do to not hiccup after alcohol?

How to induce hiccups?

In the article itself, we described a lot about the causes of hiccups and methods of dealing with it. But there are people who, on the contrary, want to cause hiccups. For example, the interlocutor is tired, or today is the day and hour when you need to hiccup for good luck to come.

If you suddenly decide to hiccup, then you will have to:

• Something to eat very quickly, chewing badly and swallowing quickly, you can also talk while eating. Carefully! With such an extreme meal, you can choke!
• Drink plenty of sparkling water, it can also be drunk through a cocktail tube.
• Try to swallow air. To do this, you need to take air into your mouth, imagine that it is water, and swallow.
• Can remember something bad evoking emotion and negative emotions. But this can not only provoke hiccups, but also ruin your mood for the whole day.
• You can just laugh heartily, this is more pleasant than negative emotions, and the swallowed air and contraction of the diaphragm can cause hiccups.
• hypothermia can lead to hiccups, but this method cannot be called safe, because hypothermia can provoke tonsillitis, sinusitis, sciatica, pyelonephritis and other unpleasant "-itis".

But keep in mind that none of these methods can cause hiccups 100% of the time. Hiccups are out of control reflex process, it absolutely does not depend on the desire of the person himself.