Hiccups are essentially involuntary contractions (or spasms) of the diaphragm, the muscle that aids us in breathing. Each contraction comes with a sudden closing of the vocal cords, creating that familiar sound we all know. There are multiple causes of hiccups. Some include eating too fast, drinking something too hot or too cold, swallowing air (usually while chewing gum), or just experiencing sudden changes in temperature.
The science behind
So, what happens to your body during hiccups? Your diaphragm goes through some repeated spasms when something irritates the nerves that cause the diaphragm to suddenly contract. These nerves make up something we call the reflex arc. Reflex arcs manage your body’s involuntary functions (like heart rate, breathing, and digestion). Meanwhile, the glottis, or your vocal cords, suddenly closes to stop more air from coming in. This is what makes that ‘hic’ sound.
Downing the hiccups
Most hiccups often fade out on their own with time, as the body naturally resets the breathing rhythm.
However, some cures like holding your breath, drinking water, or breathing into a paper bag can also help. These methods often increase the content of carbon dioxide, thereby calming the diaphragm down.
For when it gets bothersome
Short-term hiccups which last for less than 24 hours are somewhat harmless. However, persistent hiccups — which last for over 48 hours — often signal a problem. Persistent hiccups are often linked to the flu, gastrointestinal diseases, like GERD or gastritis; lung diseases like pneumonia; tumours, or even metabolism-related issues.
Persistent hiccups also lead to complications like:
- Trouble breathing, swallowing, or speaking
- Difficulty sleeping and excessive exhaustion, and
- Weight loss
However, these can be treated with medications and other methods like nerve blocks (an injection that may provide temporary pain relief). Leave it to a healthcare provider to prescribe the best medication. If a medication you’re taking is still giving you hiccups, your provider may tell you to stop taking it and take another instead. Never stop taking medication unless you’re told to.
Though hiccups may be an uninvited bodily guest, they remind us of how our body has its own unique ways of giving us calls for help. So the next time a sudden “hic!” interrupts your conversation, know that it’s your body briefly losing, and then finding its rhythm again.
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