Facts about Hiccups, Hiccups are a sign of an illness?A fact or a myth?

Some of us have experienced this condition. Maybe after drinking or eating and so on. It is even very scary thinking of having many hiccups in a day.

It's interesting knowing about hiccups on the level of scientific explanation. What are hiccups and why do they happen?

Hiccups can be a sign of illness when it's prolonged over 48 hours.

A medical term for hiccups is singultus, it is a Latin word that means sob, dying breath.

Facts about hiccups based on medical expressions.

1. Hiccups may happen due to an irritation in your diaphragm. Causing spasms, forcing you to suddenly suck air into your throat, where it hits your voice box. That makes your vocal cords suddenly close, creating the distinct “hic!” sound.

2. The most common triggers for hiccups that last less than 48 hours include, Drinking carbonated beverages, drinking too much alcohol, eating too much, Excitement or emotional stress, Sudden temperature changes, Swallowing air with chewing gum, or sucking on candy.

3. The cause of long-term hiccups is damage to or irritation of the vagus nerves or phrenic nerves, which serve the diaphragm muscle. Factors that may cause damage or irritation to these nerves include: Hair or something else in your ear touching your eardrum. A tumor, cyst, or goiter in your neck, Gastroesophageal reflux, Sore throat, or laryngitis.

4. Factors that may increase your risk of hiccups include:

Mental or emotional issues. Anxiety, stress, and excitement have been associated with some cases of short-term and long-term hiccups.

Surgery. Some people develop hiccups after undergoing general anesthesia or after procedures that involve abdominal organs.

5. Prolonged hiccups may interfere with: Eating, sleeping, speech, and Wound healing after surgery.

Drink a glass of cold water. Try to avoid things that may trigger hiccups. Go to the hospital or seek medical care, if hiccups persist over 48 hours.

References

Chang FY, Lu CL. Hiccup: mystery, nature, and treatment. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2012 Apr;18(2):123-30. DOI: 10.5056/jnm.2012.18.2.123. Epub 2012 Apr 9. PMID: 22523721; PMCID: PMC3325297.

Kahrilas PJ, Shi G. Why do we hiccup? Gut. 1997 Nov;41(5):712-3. DOI: 10.1136/gut.41.5.712. PMID: 9414986; PMCID: PMC1891574.

Chang F-Y, et al. (2012). Hiccup: Mystery, nature, and treatment.

jnmjournal.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.5056/jnm.2012.18.2.123