Hiccups are
medically known as synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (SDF) or singultus. A hiccup occurs when the diaphragm suddenly
contracts involuntarily, while at the same time the larynx (voice box)
contracts too and the glottis closes, effective blocking the flow of air.
What causes
hiccups?
A very full
stomach can cause bouts of hiccups that go away on their own. A full stomach
can be caused by:
Eating too
much food too quickly.
Drinking too
much alcohol.
Swallowing
too much air.
Smoking
A sudden
change in stomach temperature, such as drinking a hot beverage and then a cold
beverage.
Emotional
stress or excitement.
Here are
some tips for dealing with a bout of hiccups that you can do on your own:
1. Take a deep breath and hold it for as long as
possible. Don’t forget to hold your nose!
2. Breathe into a paper bag (do not cover your
head with the bag
3. Massage the roof of your mouth. This must be done very carefully with a
cotton swab. If you have a steady hand and a decent gag reflex you can also try
massaging the back of your throat and stimulating your uvula (the cone shaped
tissue that hangs there).
5. Cough,
burp or sneeze. If you can manage to do
any of these things, they can help alleviate your hiccups. The belief is that
these actions cause your diaphragm to constrict and thus stop them in their
tracks.
6. Place gentle pressure on your nose while you swallow.
7. Surprisingly, branches of the vagus muscle
reach all the way into your auditory system. As such, it can be stimulated by
sticking your fingers into your ears. Just be careful not to push too far or
hard.
8. Gently compress your chest, this can be
achieved by leaning forward. You can
also bring your knees to your chest and hug them for a couple of minutes.
9. Take a thin slice of lemon, place it on your
tongue and suck it like a sweet.
10. Burping – some people find that if they
consume a fizzy drink and burp, their hiccups go away. However, some doctors
warn that sodas may trigger hiccups.
The
treatment for persistent or intractable hiccups depends on the underlying cause
of the hiccups and may range from medicine to acupuncture or hypnosis.
Sometimes several treatments may be tried before persistent or intractable
hiccups are controlled. If you have hiccups that last a few days or longer,
your doctor may conduct tests to rule out a more serious problem.
SOURCE: Bon Heur
No comments:
Post a Comment