Hiccups are an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm muscles, accompanied by a sharp inhalation and a characteristic soft sound.
In childhood, hiccups can make you laugh, but with age this feature becomes inappropriate, causes discomfort and can ruin a serious meeting or public speech.
People perceive hiccups as a short-term malfunction of the body. In fact, this feature signals the presence of a problem, and sometimes a serious disease.
Types of hiccups
In medicine, hiccups are divided into 3 types:
1. Short-term – the attack lasts up to 48 hours in a row.
2. Long-term – the attack lasts up to 1 month.
3. Intractable – lasts from 1 month.
The physiological mechanism of hiccups has not been fully studied. The causes of the condition vary depending on the type of illness.
Causes of short-term hiccups
Usually the phenomenon appears spontaneously and goes away on its own. Among the reasons are:
• Overeating and eating on the go.
• Swallowing air when eating quickly.
• Eating large amounts of spicy or hot foods.
• Consumption of carbonated drinks.
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Smoking.
Causes of hiccups in children also include hypothermia. Even a little cold can cause a child to hiccup. The condition is a variation of the norm.
Causes of prolonged hiccups
The causes of prolonged hiccups are divided into several subtypes:
• Central. These include: stroke, epilepsy, intracranial tumors, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease. In addition, psychogenic factors can be the cause - stress, overexcitement, fear.
• Peripheral. Separately, gastrointestinal causes are distinguished: reflux, gastritis and ulcers, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, gastric distension, esophageal hernia, gastric paresis. Other causes include: myocardial infarction, aortic aneurysm, asthma, otitis, tuberculosis, pericarditis, thyroid gland growth.
• Medicinal. Hiccups can be caused by taking medications such as: antibiotics, glucocorticosteroids, opioids, benzodiazepines.
• Metabolic. Causes include: alcohol consumption, electrolyte imbalance, hyperglycemia, uremia.
• Others. Liver dysfunction, surgical interventions.
Causes of Stubborn Hiccups
Hiccups that are difficult to resolve indicate the presence of the following problems:
• Severe distension of the stomach.
• Increased liver volume.
• Disturbance in cerebral circulation.
• Esophagitis.
• Metabolic disorders.
If you notice hiccups, do not rush to diagnose yourself, but remember that in this way the body can signal the presence of problems in the functioning of one of its systems. If hiccups last longer than 2 days in a row, think about visiting a doctor.
Earlier we told you about saving a man with cholesterol plaques.
Expert: Arkhipova Julia
