What is hiccup
Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest and abdomen and plays a crucial role in breathing.
Diaphragm movements are controlled by the brain. Sometimes it gives incorrect signals, causing it to contract faster than it should. With each spasm, the muscle presses on the lungs and pushes air out of them. Under pressure, it passes through the larynx and slams the vocal cleft and epiglottis. This process is accompanied by a characteristic sound. Spasms are repeated, hiccups occur.
Physiologists do not always understand what exactly causes contractions of the diaphragm. Possible causes are many: from accidental swallowing of air to dangerous diseases of the nervous system.
Neuroscientist, author of the book “Curious Behaviour: yawning, laughing, hiccups”, in a commentary for Vox.
We still don’t really know where hiccups come from. Therefore, its therapy has not improved since Plato’s time.
Although hiccups themselves are not life-threatening, they can cause a lot of trouble. Thus, the sound produced can be quite loud and embarrassing, because of the contractions of the diaphragm it is difficult to eat and drink, sometimes there are problems with sleep.
How to get rid of hiccups
Usually hiccups pass by themselves: it takes from a few minutes to a couple of hours. But there are cases when it takes longer.
Most ways to quickly stop breathing spasms have one of two goals:
To increase the concentration of carbon dioxide in the lungs and blood. Feeling the threat of suffocation, the body quickly comes to its senses and normalises the work of the diaphragm.
Stimulate the vagus nerve. It connects the brain and the digestive system and is also involved in the process of breathing. Stimulation causes the brain to switch to new sensations and stop sending incorrect signals to the diaphragm.
Choose any option you like. And move on to another if the previous one didn’t work.
Hold your breath
Take a deep breath and hold it for 10-20 seconds. Then exhale slowly. Repeat if necessary.
You can also use the following technique:
Exhale sharply and then take a deep breath;
hold your breath for 10 seconds and then, without exhaling, inhale again;
wait a couple of seconds, and try to take another breath.
This manoeuvre not only increases the concentration of carbon dioxide, but also immobilises the diaphragm.
Breathe into a paper bag
Take a small paper (not polythene!) bag and cover your nose and mouth with it. Slowly exhale and inhale so that the bag inflates and deflates. Continue for 15 seconds.
Breathe in and out at a measured pace
Inhale deeply while counting to five and exhale in the same way. Do five to seven repetitions.
Hug your knees
Find a place where you can sit comfortably and bring your knees up to chest level. Wrap your arms around your legs and try to hold them tightly against your body while leaning forward. Sit in this position for 20-30 seconds.
Drink a glass of cold water
Do this quickly. To stimulate the vagus nerve even more effectively, you can drink through a straw, plugging your ears with your fingers, pressing your eyes closed or squeezing the wings of your nose – this will stimulate the contraction of the diaphragm and stop hiccups.
Suck on an ice cube
Suck on it for a few minutes. And swallow it when it shrinks to a small size.
Eat something with a pungent flavour.
For example, a slice of lemon or tomato generously flavoured with vinegar.
Try to induce the gag reflex.
This can be done by pressing the base (root) of the tongue with your fingers or a spoon. The inevitable spasm of the oesophagus will stop the diaphragm from contracting.
Stick your tongue out as far as you can
To be sure, use your fingers to pull it outwards and downwards. This will also put pressure on the root of the tongue and trigger oesophageal spasm.
Swallow a dry piece of bread.
It will “scratch” the upper palate and can relieve hiccups. The main thing is to choose a small breadcrumb that you can’t choke on.
Put sugar on your tongue.
About a teaspoon, trying to place the crystals as close to the root of the tongue as possible. Allow the sand to dissolve or do not swallow for at least 5-10 seconds.
Relax your neck
Sometimes hiccups can be caused by overstretching the neck, and to get rid of the problem, you need to relax.
Inhale something with a pungent odour
Ammonia or ammonia.
Massage the carotid artery.
It runs down both sides of the neck. It’s the paired artery that you press with your fingers when you’re trying to feel for a pulse under your lower jaw.
Lie on your back, turn your head to the left and massage the artery on the right side in a circular motion for 5-10 seconds.
Gently rub the eyeballs of your eyes
Close your eyes, and gently massage your eyeballs. This will help to stimulate the vagus nerve and stop hiccups.
Francis Fesmire
