Definition:
A hiccup is an unintentional movement (spasm) of the diaphragm, the muscle at the base of the lungs. The spasm is followed by rapid closure of the vocal cords, which produces a distinctive sound.
Alternative Names:
Singultus
Considerations:
Hiccups often start for no apparent reason and usually disappear after a few minutes. Rarely, hiccups can persist for days, weeks, or months. Hiccups are common and normal in newborns and infants.
Common Causes:
Noxious fumes
Hot and spicy foods or liquids
Any disease or disorder that irritates the nerves that control the diaphragm (such as pleurisy or pneumonia)
Stroke or tumor affecting the "hiccup center" in the brain
Abdominal surgery
There may be no obvious cause for hiccups.
Home Care:
There is no sure way to stop hiccups, but there are a number of common suggestions that may be effective:
Hold your breath.
Breathe repeatedly into a paper bag.
Drink a glass of cold water.
Eat a teaspoon of sugar.
Call your health care provider if:
Contact your health care provider if hiccups persist for more than a few days.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
If hiccups persist to the point that you visit your health care provider, a medical history and physical examination will be performed.
Medical history questions may include the following:
Do you get hiccups easily?
How long has this episode of hiccups lasted?
Have you recently consumed something that was hot or spicy?
Have you recently consumed carbonated beverages?
Have you been exposed to any fumes?
What have you done to try to relieve the hiccups?
What has been effective for you in the past?
How effective was the attempt at home treatment?
Did the hiccups stop for a while and then restart?
What other symptoms are present?
Diagnostic tests are seldom necessary unless a disease or disorder is suspected as the cause.
To treat persistent hiccups, the health care provider may perform gastric lavage or massage of the carotid sinus in the neck. THIS MUST BE DONE BY THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. DO NOT ATTEMPT CAROTID MASSAGE AT HOME!
If hiccups continue, a phenothiazine (especially chlorpromazine) or nasogastric intubation (tube insertion) may provide relief.
Very rarely, medical methods fail to treat persistent hiccups. Further treatment may include a phrenic nerve block.
2007-01-23 14:02:26
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answer #1
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answered by RadTech - BAS RT(R)(ARRT) 7
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A hiccup or hiccough (usually suggested "HICK-cup" (IPA: [?h?.k?p]) self sufficient of the spelling) is an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm; many times this repeats various cases a minute. The unexpected rush of air into the lungs motives the glottis to close, starting to be the "hic" pay interest (help·information) noise. A bout of hiccups usually resolves through itself, even with the very shown actuality that many homestead remedies are in flow to shorten the period, and medication is on occasion mandatory. through extension, the time period "hiccup" is likewise used to describe a small and unrepeated aberration in an otherwise consistent trend. The medical time period is singultus. at the same time as many situations strengthen spontaneously, hiccups are time-honored to strengthen typically particularly circumstances, which include ingesting too quickly, taking a chilly drink at the same time as ingesting a warm meal, ingesting extremely warm or exceedingly spiced nutrients, guffawing vigorously or coughing, eating an extra of an alcoholic beverage, or electrolyte imbalance. Hiccups would properly be brought about through stress to the phrenic nerve through different anatomical platforms, or hardly ever through tumors and particular kidney ailment. that is reported that 30% of chemotherapy sufferers wade through singultus as a edge effect to medical care. (American maximum cancers Society) it remains uncertain to scientists precisely why hiccups take position, extremely because it doesn't look to grant us any particular income. some hypothesis exists that hiccups are a remnant of a actual function that has been phased out through evolution, which include the flow from aquatic gilled creatures to land animals. Ultrasounds have also shown that unborn fetuses experience hiccups. some reported hypotheses comprise hiccups as a feasible muscle workout for the toddler's respiration device earlier to delivery or as a preventive degree to keep amniotic fluid from stepping into the lungs[a million]. more suitable analyze is had to ensure their real nature, origins, and objective, if any.
2016-10-16 00:34:04
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answer #2
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answered by digman 4
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your diaphragm. This is a dome-shaped muscle at the bottom of your chest, and all hiccups start here.
The diaphragm almost always works perfectly. When you inhale, it pulls down to help pull air into the lungs. When you exhale, it pushes up to help push air out of the lungs. But sometimes the diaphragm becomes irritated. When this happens, it pulls down in a jerky way, which makes you suck air into your throat suddenly. When the air rushing in hits your voice box, you're left with a big hiccup.
2007-01-23 14:07:36
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answer #3
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answered by D Dee 1
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a spasm of the diaphragm. it causes the diaphragm to contract violently which jerks the lungs down causing air to rush in, thus making the sound.
2007-01-23 14:04:35
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answer #4
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answered by Butch 3
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A spasm of your diaphram
2007-01-23 14:09:30
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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mussle spasm of the diaphram
2007-01-23 14:05:34
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answer #6
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answered by ravenclawajg 1
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Too much air in your lungs, and also when you are growing.
2007-01-23 14:01:07
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answer #7
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answered by D S 4
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