Anyone who has had them for more than a few moment will confirm that hiccups are not pleasant. The “hic” sound is caused by the closure of the vocal cords after an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen).
Some of the common triggers include emotional stress, swallowing air, eating too much or too quickly, or too much alcohol or soft drinks. Mayo Clinic has a very comprehensive webpage about hiccups, including possible causes for those that last more than 48 hours. Some possible causes are simple—such as a hair or something else in your ear touching your eardrum.
Central nervous disorders (including tumors, meningitis, multiple sclerosis) can affect the body’s normal control of the hiccup reflex. Other triggers for long-term hiccups include: metabolic disorders such as diabetes, anesthesia, electrolyte imbalance, steroids.
There are no shortage of home remedies that might (or might not) stop hiccups, including getting frightened; breathing into a paper bag; holding your breath; sipping cold water; or drinking an entire glass of water with a straw while you or someone else plugs your ears. A few suggestions are too “Adult Only” for mentioning here! (If you are curious, see 4 Surprising Ways to Stop Hiccups.)
The Mayo Clinic page mentions when long-term hiccups don’t respond to other remedies, alternative treatments, such as hypnosis and acupuncture, may be helpful.
This week, notice how wonderful it is that your body works well. Even the absence of hiccups is a symptom that all is well!
Tips from 5 April 2010 to 6 August 2012 are here: Archived Tips
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Rev.Debra Basham
Voice or text: (269) 921-2217 Email: debra@scs-matters.com https://scs-matters.com http://ImagineHealing.info http://SurgicalSupport.info Small Changes … Infinite Results™
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” ~ Mother Teresa |