Hiccup is an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm and other muscles of the thorax, followed by closure of the glottis and vibration of the vocal chords, which is why it produces a characteristic noise.
This spasm is triggered by irritation of some nerve, such as the vagus nerve or phrenic nerve, or part of the brain that controls respiratory muscles, which can happen for several reasons, such as:
- Dilation of the stomach from excessive food or fizzy drinks;
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- Gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux,
- Changes in blood electrolytes, such as lack of calcium, potassium, or sodium;
- Renal insufficiency, which causes excess of urea in the blood;
- Decreased CO2 in the bloodstream by rapid breathing;
- Infections, such as gastroenteritis or pneumonia;
- Respiratory or abdominal inflammations such as bronchitis, esophagitis, pericarditis, cholecystitis, hepatitis or inflammatory bowel diseases;
- Surgeries in the region of the thorax or abdomen;
- Brain diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis or meningitis, for example.
Despite these possible causes, it is not yet known exactly why these changes lead to spasms of the diaphragm and thorax, and in some cases the cause of the hiccup may not be known.
Most of the time the cause of the hiccup is not serious, but if it is persistent for more than 2 days, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms that indicate diseases such as pneumonia or brain diseases, it is necessary to consult the general practitioner to investigate the cause .
Causes of Hiccup in Baby
Hiccups in the baby are very common and may even occur before birth, still in the womb of the mother. This usually happens because your chest muscles and diaphragm are still developing, so the hiccup is no cause for concern. Learn what to do to stop the baby's hiccup.
However, if the hiccup lasts longer than 1 day, or is disrupting the baby to sleep or breastfeeding, there may be other causes, such as infections or inflammation, and it is therefore important to consult the pediatrician for the correct investigation and treatment.
What to do in case of a hiccup
Normally, the solution resolves spontaneously within a few minutes, however, it may last up to 2 days. To stop the hiccups, it is important to resolve their cause, but there are a few methods to make it go faster, through maneuvers, such as drinking cold water, holding your breath for a few seconds, or breathing in a paper bag, for stimulate the vagus nerve and raise blood levels of CO2. Check these and other maneuvers on how to stop the hiccup.
If the hiccup persists for more than 2 days, or if it is constant and repetitive, it is recommended that you seek care with the general practitioner to have your chest X-ray and blood tests examined to find out the possible causes of the hiccup . If necessary, your doctor may also prescribe a medicine to treat persistent hiccups, such as Chlorpormazine, Haloperidol or Metoclopramide.
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