** Hiccups

Facts

* Also known as singultus and diaphragmatic spasm.

* Hiccups occur when a stimulus triggers the nerves which lowers the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the lungs from the abdomen), i.e. makes the diaphragm contract involuntary causing the person to take in a quick breath of air into the lungs. The nerves involved here are linked to the diaphragm.

The air then causes a brief closure of the glottis (located in the voice box, an opening between the vocal cords). The closure produces the "hic" sound for which hiccups are named.

* Most hiccups are harmless and they usually stop after a few minutes. Chronic hiccups are very rare. Those that last for months or years are usually called intractable hiccups.

* The longest hiccup ever known was experienced by an American pig farmer whose hiccups persisted from 1922 to 1987.

* Did you know that a fetus can have hiccups? They actually help strengthen the diaphragm and prepare the fetus for breathing.

* Most of the methods used to stop hiccups actually seek to alter the flow of air through the vocal cords so as to stop hiccuping.


Causes (common hiccups)

* Unknown causes
* Hot and spicy food
* Carbonated drinks
* Nervousness
* Sudden laughter
* Intense emotions
* Fumes
* Cold air or cold water

Causes (intractable hiccups)

* Excessive alcohol consumption
* Pneumonia
* Abdominal surgery
* Asthma
* Stroke
* Liver/kidney problems
* Brain tumor affecting the brain's breathing center
* Indigestion
* Side effects from certain medication (e.g. muscle relaxants)

Home remedies
[Remedies to stop rhythmic hiccups, see which are the ones that work for you]

* Bend over the waist and drink a glass of water in that bending position.

* Munch ginger.

* Eat crushed ice.

* Drink water quickly.

* Suck on slices of fresh lemon.

* Swallow a teaspoon of vinegar.

* Gargle with cider vinegar.

* Hold breath for as long as possible.

* Ask someone to give you a fright.

* Bring a paper bag close to the mouth then blow into it and breathe in the air from the bag.

* Cover each ear with your fingers and press gently for a few minutes.

* Squeeze lemon juice to the back of the throat.

* Hold on to a small glass (4-ounce) of water and place your mouth to the opposite side of the glass that one would normally drink from. Bend slightly while taking a sip.

* Drink canned pineapple juice immediately after the can has been opened.

[ I used to always wonder about this! What works for me is holding my breath for about a minute or two. ]

~ Rads