How to prevent hiccups

01/05/2016

Jhanvi Rana, 26, would occasionally get hiccups. But when they'd start, they would go on for a couple of hours, causing Jhanvi great discomfort. Her family doctor said it wasn't something to worry about and told her to keep drinking water till they eased.
Jhanvi isn't alone. As innocuous as they sound, hiccups can cause great distress when they go on for hours.
What causes hiccups?
Dr Parul R Sheth, a health consultant, says that hiccups cause a sudden involuntary spasm of the diaphragm. "This is caused by swallowing air along with food, while eating too fast, eating spicy foods, drinking too much of aerated drinks or alcohol, fear, excitement, sudden temperature changes, certain medications or certain diseases and abdominal surgery etc."
Adds consultant general physician Dr Rajesh Jharia, "The medical term for hiccups is singultus the state of having reflex involuntary, intermittent, spasmodic contraction or spasm of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. This is accompanied by a closure of the glottis, producing an audible 'hic' sound. Hiccups are common, usually transient, affecting almost all people in their lifetime but rarely become intractable leading to adverse outcomes. Based on their duration, they are divided into three types:
Hiccup bout: Hiccups that last for not more than 48 hours.
Persistent hiccups: These continue for more than 48 hours and last for days.
Intractable hiccups: These last longer than a month.
When it could be a serious health problem
"While most hiccups don't not last longer than a few minutes, sometimes they may last for a few hours. However, if they last longer than a month and are persistent, you must seek medical advice. It could be a more serious health problem such as central nervous system, stroke, injury, decreased kidney function, mental health problems, etc." says Dr Sheth. Home remedies that can help you "There is no sure-fire way to stop hiccups.
But you can try some home remedies like pinching your nose and holding your breath, gargling with water or sipping cold water. A spoonful of sugar or peanut butter, honey, chewing dill seeds, breathing into a brown paper bag etc are known to be effective at times," says Dr Sheth.
Adds Dr Jharia, "Most 'techniques' are anecdotal. Breathing into a bag, swallowing sugar, drinking from the opposite side of a glass, forceable traction on the tongue, biting a lemon, holding your breath, fright, obnoxious odours, icewater gargles are some common home remedies."
Preventing hiccups
Avoiding a known stimulant can help avoid hiccups. Gastric distention, carbonated drinks, aerophagia, sudden changes in GI (Glycemic index) or ambient temperature, alcohol, smoking, sudden excitement or stress are known stimulants.
Avoiding drinking too much, eating too quickly, eating too spicy food or swallowing air while eating can also help prevent hiccups.

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