Hiccups themselves are harmless…Treatment required when intractable
Some people say that hiccups get worse in the winter. Why?
Hiccups happen against our will. It occurs when the part of the brain that controls breathing muscles or nerves, such as the diaphragm (muscle between the chest and abdomen), is stimulated. When this stimulation causes a spasm in the diaphragm, the narrow gap between the vocal cords, the ‘glottis’, suddenly closes, producing a ‘hiccup’ sound.
The hiccups themselves are harmless and usually go away within minutes. In the winter, the frequency of hiccups can increase. This phenomenon is especially common in children. It has to do with the outside temperature. Children still lack the ability to regulate their body temperature, but when they suddenly go out to a cold place, their diaphragm is also stimulated by the temperature change. This causes hiccups.
For the same reason, suddenly eating cold food can cause hiccups. If you have frequent hiccups in the winter, eat lukewarm or warm food to avoid exposure to sudden temperature changes, and wear a hat, gloves, and scarf to minimize heat loss when going out.
A common cause of hiccups is a gastrointestinal problem, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease. Eating too fast, eating spicy food, or drinking alcohol can also cause hiccups.
A more troubling situation than acute hiccups is long-lasting hiccups. Hiccups that should disappear in a few minutes last for more than 48 hours, and if this condition is repeated for more than a month, it can be seen as ‘refractory hiccups’.
Intractable hiccups can occur when there are side effects of drugs or surgery, heart disease, nervous system disease, or problems with the ears, nose, or throat. Emotional states such as stress and excitement can trigger intractable hiccups.
There is no definite treatment that can stop hiccups. According to the Maryland Response Center, there are several methods that are presumed to be universally effective.
Holding your breath for 5 to 10 seconds, then exhaling while covering your nose and mouth with your hand for 15 to 20 seconds, then exhaling again with your hands removed helps to stabilize the diaphragm spasm. Drinking water, sticking your tongue out, breathing with a paper bag over your mouth and nose, swallowing a teaspoon of honey, and chewing a slice of lemon are other ways to stop hiccups.
If there is a more underlying cause, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, treatment for it is a priority. The risk of hiccups being a serious health problem is very low. Generally, if a disease is the cause, it is considered to be related to a problem such as a digestive disease.
If it appears repeatedly for more than 48 hours, it may rarely be related to an infectious disease, tumor, cerebral infarction, chest or abdominal surgery, diabetes, gout, or various medications. In addition, even if hiccups themselves are not harmful, if the condition is prolonged, it is difficult to sleep and food intake is restricted, which can cause various side effects. It can lead to complications such as aspiration pneumonia or respiratory paralysis. When intractable hiccups are suspected, there are ways to implement drug therapy and neurological treatment through hospital treatment.
