Intermittent hiccups. Physiological essence of hiccups. Description of the physiological process hiccups

Hiccups are a fairly common phenomenon, which is one of the varieties of physiological myoclonus and can greatly annoy the person suffering from it. Perhaps, in terms of the degree of discomfort caused, hiccups can deservedly take one of the first places in the list of the most unpleasant ailments.

It occurs with equal frequency in both men and women. However, the disease, which proceeds in a protracted form and is not treatable, occurs in men in 80% of cases. Despite the fact that hiccups in a child are observed an order of magnitude more often than in an adult, in adults, its attacks are more severe.

Hiccups are usually classified as disorders of the respiratory system, which are associated with diseases of various etiologies. They are a reflection of the typical reaction of the respiratory organs to pathological stimuli that provoke tissue damage, disruption of the normal activity of internal organs and body systems, and are also a direct cause of the development of any pathological process in the body. Hiccups occur as a result of a series of diaphragmatic contractions resembling convulsive jerks, and its characteristic manifestations are short respiratory movements of high intensity.

Origin mechanism

Hiccups are provoked by sudden involuntary jerking of the muscles of the diaphragm (the partition separating the chest and abdominal cavities), which is accompanied by a strong deep breath and a sharp contraction of the muscles of the larynx. The resulting closure of the vocal cords leads to the formation of a typical sound, which habitually accompanies hiccups.

The most common prerequisite for the development of hiccups in a child or adult is irritation of the peripheral nerves located in the larynx and diaphragm, as well as excitation of the brain centers that play a key role in ensuring the function of the diaphragm and larynx.

Another prerequisite may be irritation of the intercostal muscles and other muscles that are involved in the respiratory process. However, hiccups that develop according to this algorithm are quite rare.

Causes of hiccups

The causes of hiccups can be the following circumstances:

Severe general hypothermia (especially often hypothermia provokes hiccups in newborns and young children);
Hypothermia accompanied by alcohol intoxication;
Hasty consumption of food, which may result in excessive swallowing of air along with food or drinks;
Eating a large number of foods that provoke bloating (carbonated drinks, fast food, etc.);
Excessive filling of the stomach with food and, as a result, its overdistension. In this case, an involuntary contraction of the muscles of the esophagus occurs, accompanied by a violation of the swallowing function, food stuck in the esophagus and the occurrence of convulsive contractions at the junction of the esophagus to the stomach;
Irritation of the peripheral nerve in the diaphragm, which is a kind of manifestation of a nervous tic. Tic occurs as a response to excitation of the muscles of the diaphragm under the influence of the phrenic nerve;
Certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (for example, inflammation of the esophagus);
Certain diseases of the chest organs (for example, myocardial infarction, pneumonia, and even lung cancer);
Individual diseases of the nervous system, as well as the spinal cord and brain (for example, damage to the brain stem or damage to the segments of the spinal cord located in the upper neck);
Toxic effects caused by the use of alcohol, as well as certain drugs;
Infectious diseases;
Inflammatory processes affecting the liver;
Disorders of metabolic processes in the body;
Congenital malformations.

Psychogenic factors can also cause hiccups: stress, strong arousal, excitement, hysteria, anxiety, shock states, psychosis, various personality disorders, etc. Most often they provoke hiccups in young women.

How to get rid of hiccups: remedies and methods

There are a number of simple recommendations on how to get rid of hiccups. Since hiccups are the result of certain breathing difficulties, you first need to perform several exercises to restore and normalize it. For example, take as much air into the lungs as possible and then exhale it in small portions in several approaches, briefly holding your breath before each exhalation, or take a series of deep breaths, holding a paper bag tightly to your face.

In cases where hiccups in a child or an adult are caused by disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, breathing exercises do not bring relief, however, a spoonful of honey acidified with lemon juice, water or just a slice of lemon helps to stop it.

Another effective remedy for hiccups is plain ice. It can be absorbed in its pure form, added to water, or placed in a heating pad, which is then placed on the diaphragm area.

Manual therapy and acupressure also help fight hiccups. It is necessary to massage the closed eyes, the stomach in the intestines, the area of \u200b\u200bthe junction of the chest with the collarbone, the auricles and the middle phalanx of the little finger. All movements should be performed in a circle and without strong pressure.

Tickling is also commonly referred to as non-traditional methods to stop hiccups. The essence of this method boils down to the fact that the laughter caused by tickling must be restrained, and this, in turn, leads to holding the breath.

If folk remedies for hiccups do not give the desired relief, or this condition is repeated too often, medications are prescribed. Intramuscular administration of cerucal, motilium or scopolamine helps to cope with the disease. In any case, before resorting to drug treatment, you should consult your doctor.

Hiccups in newborns

Hiccups in newborn babies are quite common. Its first attacks are detected even in six-week-old embryos in the mother's womb.

In a newborn, hiccups are spastic contractions of the muscles of the diaphragm, accompanied by short exhalations, which are of high intensity. It can be both short-term (a few minutes) and long-term - up to two days. Prolonged hiccups can often be a symptom of a rather serious illness.

Causes of hiccups in babies:

Swallowing air while eating;
Too much food;
General hypothermia;
Thirst;
Stress as a reaction to loud noises or the visit of strangers.

To get rid of hiccups, it is necessary to eliminate the factor that causes it, for example, warm the child, turn off the music, etc. To avoid the unpleasant condition caused by feeding, it is recommended to hold the baby in an upright position after it has stopped.

Therapy for hiccups is a difficult task. If hiccups get a person very often, you can resort to different methods to get rid of it. With pathological (persistent) hiccups, a number of medications are used. What is the most effective remedy for hiccups and how to choose it correctly?

Frequent hiccups can be eliminated with medications.

Antispasmodics

If involuntary spasms occur that cause discomfort and pain, it is necessary to use drotaverine-based medications that eliminate this symptom and pain. In addition, such hiccup medicines restore the functioning of organs, relax muscle tone, and contribute to the normalization of blood supply:

"No-shpa" is a medicine that effectively relieves spasms. This drug can be used both in the form of a solution for injection and in the form of tablets. When administered intravenously, the drug begins to act within 5 minutes. The medicine can be used by pregnant women not only to eliminate hiccups, but also to prevent miscarriage. Treatment of hiccups in children with this medicine can be started from the age of 6 years. If the spasms do not stop within 2 days, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Spazmonet is sold in tablet form. Tablets effectively and quickly relieve muscle tone, while not affecting the autonomic and central nervous system. Pregnant women and children under 6 years old should only be used under medical supervision.

Remedies for the treatment of hiccups associated with digestive problems

If the patient has problems with digestion and suffers from spasms, then the following remedies for hiccups are prescribed:

"Omeprazole" is included in the group of inhibitors, these are medicines that are used during the treatment of peptic ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract. The drug is produced in the form of white coated capsules. When taken, it blocks the secretion of hydrochloric acid, easing heartburn attacks. The tablet works within 5 minutes after taking. Treatment of hiccups with this drug for a child under 12 years of age, pregnant women is contraindicated.

"Cerukal" is available in the form of tablets and solution for injection. The drugs have blocking and weakening properties in the tone of the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Cerucal prevents reflux attacks and hiccups. For children aged 2-14 years, use only as directed and under the supervision of a doctor. Pregnant women during the I-III trimester should use Cerucal only if the benefits justify the risks.
Scopolamine is used in neurology as a sedative and relaxing antiemetic. Sold in the form of powder for injection, solution and suppository. The medicine has many contraindications, and it should be used only under medical supervision. Used in pediatrics for children under 1 year old. During pregnancy and lactation, Scopolamine is contraindicated.

Treatment in adults and children with disorders of the nervous system

With violations of the work and excitability of the nervous system, stress, prolonged and painful attacks of spasms are possible. In such cases, drug treatment is carried out with such drugs:

"Haloperidol" is used for disorders of the nervous system. Available in the form of pills and drops. It has a calming and relaxing effect. Effective for severe and prolonged bouts of hiccups, vomiting and nausea. The use of the drug in children 3-12 years old is possible only under the strict supervision of a doctor.
"Pipolfen" exists in the form of solutions for intravenous and intramuscular administration and in the form of pills. This is an anti-allergic drug that blocks receptors located in the central nervous system. Has a relaxing and calming effect. Helps soothe bouts of hiccups, reflux. In pediatrics, it is used from 1 year. Pregnant and lactating use of the drug is contraindicated.
"Difenin" relieves the symptoms of convulsions without having a hypnotic effect. Effective for stomach cramps, during hiccups and involuntary reflux. Tablets are consumed after meals 3 times a day. Contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation. For children under 5 years of age, use under the strict supervision of a physician.

With irritation of the vagus nerve or the development of pathologies of the respiratory system

Drug treatment of hiccups with irritation of the vagus nerve or the development of pathologies of the respiratory system is carried out with the help of such drugs. "Baclofen" has a strong calming effect on the nervous system, relaxing the muscles, and providing an analgesic effect, it is used for stroke. The dose for children is determined depending on the condition and severity of the disease. For pregnant and lactating this medicine is contraindicated.

Therapeutic drug regimen

With severe bouts of hiccups, drug treatment should be based on the scheme of taking funds that help to cope with attacks:

"Omeprazole" is effective in increasing the symptoms of ulcers, heartburn and hiccups. Use the medicine once in the morning before meals. The 0.02 g capsule should be swallowed whole with water. To improve the condition and cure the ulcer, it is enough to drink the medicine for 2 weeks. If after this time there is no improvement, the dosage is doubled to 0.04 g, drink 1 time per day in the morning. To avoid recurrence, ulcers and concomitant diseases, the drug is taken once a day in the morning, 0.01 g for 4 weeks.

Severe hiccups should be treated with medication, depending on the underlying cause.

"Baclofen" is used for spinal cord injuries, stroke, sclerosis, in pediatrics with cerebral palsy, convulsions, heart attack. The dosage for adults at the very beginning is 15 mg per day. It is necessary to gradually increase the dosage over three days until signs of improvement in the patient's condition appear. An indicator of improvement will be the relaxation of muscle tone, while it should be observed that motor functions are not impaired. The maximum amount of the drug should not exceed 75 mg / day. If the condition has not stabilized, it is allowed to increase the amount to 100 mg / day. However, the use of such a dose is prescribed in a hospital under the supervision of a physician. In children, the dosage is determined based on the characteristics of age and symptoms of the course of the disease. It is forbidden to increase the dose on your own, as this threatens to become addictive. It is not recommended to abruptly stop taking the medication, as this can cause depression, irritability, increased excitability and muscle tone. It is necessary to finish the course of the drug within 2 weeks.
Chlorpromazine is taken after meals with water. Initially, the drug is dosed at the rate of 25-100 mg per day up to 4 times a day. Then the dosage is increased by 25-50 mg, taken for 3-4 days until positive health indicators. If the effect is not observed, it is allowed to increase the dose from 700-1000 to 1200-1500 mg per day. This amount must be divided into 4 doses. The course at higher doses should not be longer than 1.5 months. If the results do not improve, the patient cannot be cured, it is necessary to change the medicine.

As you can see, the causes of hiccups are very diverse. What medicine is best, how to take it, as well as the type and name, the doctor should determine after a complete examination and identification of the cause of the attacks.

What causes a person to have hiccups at one time or another? This is a question that almost everyone asks sooner or later. Hiccups are a process in which the body tries to get rid of the load on the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve plays a very important role in the human body. It connects many internal organs with the central nervous system.

Hiccups appear due to irritation of the diaphragm. At this moment, it begins to move sharply, which causes a large flow of air to enter the throat. It enters the vocal cords, because of it a peculiar sound appears.

This unpleasant phenomenon can be caused by both completely harmless factors and very serious diseases. That is why, if hiccups appear too often, you should definitely make an appointment with a doctor.

1 Causes of hiccups that are not associated with a painful condition

It is important to find out what causes hiccups. Often the person himself is to blame for the fact that he has the above phenomenon. So, hiccups occur for the following reasons:

Hasty food. If a person is used to eating quickly, then sooner or later he will begin to complain that he has hiccups. When eating in a hurry, rather large pieces of food pass through the esophagus. This causes injury and irritation of the vagus nerve.
Binge eating. Too much food leads to bloating of the stomach. The swollen organ touches the diaphragm and causes irritation. That is why experts advise eating in moderation. In addition, it will have a positive effect on the figure.
Eating in an uncomfortable position is a common cause of hiccups. In an uncomfortable position, the nerve is compressed, which causes the characteristic sound. It is necessary to eat only in a sitting position and at the table.
If there is no desire to hiccup strongly, then you should not eat dry food. The same can be said about taking too hot or cold food and drink.
Often this phenomenon appears at the moment of fright, when a person takes a sharp breath.
In children, hiccups appear due to hypothermia.
The abuse of carbonated drinks is another reason for the appearance of the above phenomenon. It is especially harmful to drink spicy or fatty foods with fizzy drinks.
Alcohol abuse often causes hiccups.
Hiccups in a person can occur due to a slight injury to the vagus nerve. Convulsive contraction of the diaphragm allows the body to get rid of microtrauma, which causes a nervous tic.
Hiccups in the fetus may appear due to the ingestion of a large amount of amniotic fluid or a sharp change in the mood of the mother.
In newborns, this phenomenon occurs quite often and does not pose a serious threat to their health. Characteristic sounds may appear due to the fact that the baby swallowed a lot of air while eating.

Why does a child have frequent hiccups and how to deal with it? More about it.

Due to the modern education system, which greatly overloads the psyche of children, modern schoolchildren spend too little time outdoors. Nervous strain, lack of physical activity and fresh air can lead to the above phenomenon. Hiccups in this case appear on especially difficult and overloaded days. You can get rid of it if you relax and take a walk outside for a while.

2 Possibility of disease

Ordinary hiccups pass fairly quickly. As a rule, 5-15 minutes is enough. If the characteristic sounds do not stop for more than 48 hours, then this is a clear reason to see a doctor. In this case, there is a high risk of developing a serious disease.

Hypermotor dyskinesia. Gastric juice aggressively affects the esophageal mucosa, after which hiccups appear. Hypermotor dyskinesia is characterized by unpleasant symptoms such as hiccups, heartburn, coughing and neck muscle tension.
Hiatus hernia is another reason why hiccups are observed. It occurs, as a rule, during a meal or after a change in posture. Sometimes this symptom is accompanied by mild pain in the abdomen and behind the sternum. A hernia causes displacement of internal organs, which is why tachycardia and shortness of breath are often observed.
Violation of lung activity - when diagnosing such disorders, patients often hiccup, their hair begins to fall out, drowsiness appears and a desire to constantly yawn. Sometimes from lunch to 18 hours, there may be an increase in body temperature.
Cervical-thoracic sciatica - in this case, the roots of the spinal cord are affected. With this disease, the tone of the diaphragm increases greatly, which leads to a downward displacement of the liver. This results in prolonged hiccups. The patient has an unpleasant sensation, as if a lump had formed in his throat.
CNS damage - CNS dysfunction can be the result of a tumor, injury, or infection.

What can cause chronic hiccups with damage to the central nervous system? Most often, the cause of this unpleasant phenomenon is serious ailments of the central nervous system - these are meningitis, multiple sclerosis, stroke and encephalitis.

3 Other common causes of an unpleasant phenomenon

Chemotherapy can also cause frequent hiccups. Cancer patients who have already gone through several stages of chemotherapy complain about the characteristic sounds that occur due to the impact on the body of a large amount of the strongest medicines. Very often, hiccups appear after taking Dexamethasone. Initially, the patient suffers from nausea, muscle weakness and vomiting, after which hiccups appear.

The risk of hiccups increases with surgery and anesthesia. During surgery, the specialist inserts breathing tubes into the trachea and displaces the internal organs. This increases the risk of a characteristic sound several times.

What happens after abdominal surgery? The answer to this question is still the same - there is a strong hiccups. This is due to the accumulation of air and gases in the internal cavities.

Hiccup attacks are familiar to many smokers. The thing is that nicotine, which enters the body when smoking, has a very negative effect on all internal organs. The vagus nerve is no exception.

If any serious illness has become the cause of hiccups, then first of all it is necessary to cure the disease itself. This will require you to take medication. Only a qualified specialist can prescribe a course of treatment.

In other cases, you can try to get rid of the characteristic sound yourself. To do this, you just need to follow a few important rules:

Inhale deeply and hold your breath for as long as possible.
You can try switching to less intense breathing. You should begin to exhale and inhale the air slowly, be sure to make intervals.
Stick your tongue out as far as possible.
If you have frequent hiccups, you can manage it by sitting for a while with your knees pressed against your chest.

5 Folk remedies

You can cope with hiccups with the help of traditional medicine. Home remedies can help get rid of the characteristic sound quickly. It is very important to choose the right folk medicine.

A cold compress can be applied to the throat. A few pieces of ice should be wrapped in a plastic bag and a towel. The breath-closing valve will prevent the hiccups from continuing.

You can try to put a mustard plaster on top of your stomach.

In half a glass of water, dilute 1 tsp. vinegar 9%. All liquid must be drunk in one gulp. As a rule, after a few minutes, hiccups pass.

Hiccups - causes and treatment. How to get rid of hiccups

Hiccup. How to get rid of it

If hiccups have appeared, many who are faced with this problem are concerned about the question of why it appeared and whether it is possible to get rid of it with the help of birch bud tincture. In fact, when hiccups appear, birch buds infused with alcohol give good results. To prepare a useful remedy, 15 g of the kidneys must be kept in 200 ml of alcohol for 10 days (in a dark place). Ready tincture should be filtered and drunk 15 drops when hiccups appear. The drug must be diluted in clean water.

A few bay leaves should be mixed with the same amount of cherry leaves and pour half a liter of boiling water. Leave the mixture for several hours. The finished tincture must be filtered and taken orally 15 drops in the event of an attack.

What is hiccups and why does it appear, only an experienced specialist can answer this question. Doctors do not recommend self-medication when frequent hiccups appear. The best solution is to make an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible.

All people sometimes have hiccups - these are unpleasant convulsive contractions of the diaphragm that cause an attack, are known to every person. Why do we hiccup, what is hiccups and why does it appear suddenly, is of interest to many who are familiar with it firsthand. After all, attacks sometimes last a long time, and this causes discomfort not only to the hiccup, but also to others. Where does hiccups come from and how to get rid of it is the topic of this material.

mechanical process

The occurrence of the attack in question is a physiological process that can appear against the background of diaphragm contraction. The causes of hiccups lie in the stress on the vagus nerve. It is in any human body, and innervates the muscles throughout the body and mucous membranes. The vagus nerve connects the actions of the internal organs with the central nervous system. It is located in the chest and through a small hole in the diaphragm goes into the peritoneum to the organs. The diaphragm consists of muscles and tendons, its septum is too narrow. If the nerve is not all right, then it sends commands to the brain and the diaphragm begins to contract, while the glottis closes and an unpleasant sound occurs - this is hiccups.

Causes of seizures

In an adult, hiccups are due to factors in which he himself takes part and due to various diseases. Causes in adults, not related to diseases, are as follows:

Hasty eating. With the rapid use of food, large, unchewed pieces often enter the stomach, which injure and irritate the vagus nerve.
Binge eating. Large amounts of food stretch the stomach, and it touches the diaphragm, irritating it.
Eating in an uncomfortable position. It is required to eat only while sitting and at the table, otherwise the nerve is compressed, and the diaphragm begins to convulsively contract.
Dry food. Excessively hot or cold food and drink, as well as dry eating, lead to the onset of the studied attack.
fright. If a person is suddenly frightened, then he takes a sharp breath, which causes the diaphragm to become irritated.
Drinking carbonated drinks. If you drink soda in large quantities, then there is a bursting of the stomach and, as a rule, pressure on the vagus nerve.
Vagus nerve microtrauma. If the nerve is injured, then the diaphragm begins to contract to get rid of the injury, which causes an attack.
Alcohol abuse. . The toxins cause the liver to enlarge and the muscles to relax. Therefore, a drunk person often hiccups.
. What can cause hiccups in a smoker. There are many reasons for its appearance: weakening of the sphincter, which leads to the release of acid into the esophagus and irritation of the diaphragm, poisoning by combustion products, absorption of smoke along with air.

Hiccups occur due to hypothermia. This phenomenon is especially true for young children. The symptom in question may appear if a person is stressed.

Hiccups due to diseases

Normal hiccups go away on their own and do not require medical attention. Persistent hiccups, when it lasts more than two days, requires a visit to the doctor, examination and treatment. In adults, there may be causes of prolonged hiccups. Why a person hiccups for too long, the reasons lie in the following:

Hypermotor dyskinesia. Gastric contents constantly irritate the esophagus, provoking seizures. In addition, there are other symptoms: coughing and tension in the muscles of the neck.
Hernia in the diaphragm. Hiccups as a result of this diagnosis may occur immediately after eating or changing body position. Sometimes it is accompanied by mild pain behind the sternum and in the abdomen. As a result of the development of a hernia, the internal organs are displaced, which causes shortness of breath and frequent heart rhythms.
Impaired lung function. In people, in addition to hiccups, hair begins to fall out, drowsiness and constant yawning occur.
Cervical-thoracic sciatica. The roots of the spinal cord are affected, the tone of the diaphragm increases and the liver shifts down. Prolonged hiccups are accompanied by discomfort in the throat, a lump is felt that cannot be swallowed.
Disorders in the work of the central nervous system. This may be due to the development of a tumor, injury and infection. Why chronic hiccups occur - it causes a stroke, multiple sclerosis, meningitis, encephalitis.
Intracranial pressure. Hiccups in this case are diagnosed as severe and painful. Lasts quite a long time.
Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. Problems with the excretory system of bile, gastritis, pancreatitis, ulcers and other diseases.
Oncology. Cancer tumors of the lungs, esophagus, stomach and pancreas, liver.

Such diseases force. It exhausts the hiccups, exhausts and weakens the body, even leading to a psychological breakdown. It is impossible to diagnose these diseases by hiccup alone, but it helps to recognize a serious illness in time.

There may be other causes of occurrence, not related to the disease. For example, during chemotherapy or after anesthesia. In some surgical operations related to the respiratory organs, hiccups are an unpleasant consequence.

Psychosomatics of hiccups

If an attack occurs for no apparent reason, then this phenomenon is associated with the emotional state of a person. Psychosomatics is the reason why a person hiccups. It indicates that a person has an unhealthy attachment to something. The object of close attention can be either another person or another living being, as well as computer games, food and much more. Here you need to be treated by a psychotherapist.

Getting rid of seizures

Drink a glass of cool water in small sips.
Take a deep breath and do not exhale for as long as possible.
Inhale more air and exhale it into a paper bag. Take the next breath from this bag. The increased content of carbon dioxide in it can stop the contraction of the diaphragm.
Chew on a slice of lemon.
Morning hiccups can be eliminated by drinking a glass of lemon water on an empty stomach.
Take the tongue by the tip and pull it forward or down.
Swallow some crushed ice or chew on a crust of bread.

Sedatives help many, especially if the hiccups are psychosomatic in nature. Tinctures are used: valocordin, corvalol, St. John's wort, motherwort - drink 15-20 drops.

It is possible to cure hiccups associated with the presence of any disease after the patient gets rid of the root cause. To do this, you need to undergo an examination, and specialists will prescribe the correct treatment, including symptomatic.

It will also be interesting to see: Hiccups - causes and treatment. How to get rid of hiccups

Drug treatment is presented as follows:

Antispasmodics- they eliminate involuntary contractions of the diaphragm and pain. These drugs relax muscle tone, normalize the functioning of organs and blood supply. These include No-shpa, Spazmonet.
Inhibitors- drugs are used to treat ulcers and normalize acidity in the gastrointestinal tract - Omeprazole.
Cerucal- block and relax the tone of the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Prevents hiccups and prevents reflux.
Scopolamine- a neurological agent, soothes and relaxes muscle tone, has antiemetic properties.
In case of disorders of the nervous system - sedatives and relaxing agents. Haloperidol - helps with prolonged attacks, nausea and vomiting.

There are many drugs to eliminate hiccups, but only a doctor should prescribe treatment, and not the patient himself, so as not to worsen his condition. Most of the drugs have contraindications and side effects that can only aggravate the situation - in this case, contribute to the development of complications of the disease.

Hiccups can be caused by many reasons. If it passes after 5-15 minutes, then you should not worry. When she suffers from frequent and prolonged attacks, then you need to contact a specialist for a thorough examination.

All people collided. A similar problem appears out of nowhere, going nowhere. In any case, no one likes to hiccup, so the desire to get rid of involuntary breaths as soon as possible is not surprising.

The most severe discomfort is caused by prolonged hiccups, which for a long time does not go away either by itself or by taking any measures. In today's material, we will talk about the nature of attacks of such hiccups, the reasons for the development of the problem and the features of its elimination.

Interesting? Then read the article below to the end. The information presented will be useful to all readers.

The nature of hiccups and the mechanism of its development

Hiccups occur even in babies in the womb

Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the respiratory diaphragm and intercostal muscles. Various factors can provoke an attack of such a contraction, but in any case they entail a characteristic breath of an involuntary nature.

Because of the nature of its occurrence, hiccups are often referred to as imitation of forced breathing. "Hiccup" attack occurs in both healthy and sick people. There are many reasons for hiccups.

Convulsive and jerky contractions of the muscles of the respiratory system are a natural reflex of the body. From the point of view of human health, such a phenomenon is classified as a characteristic violation.

Its development occurs reflexively, due to the body's need to remove excess air from the gastrointestinal tract. Less often, the nature of the development of an attack is slightly different, for example, associated with a violation in the work of the musculoskeletal apparatus of the sternum.

All people have experienced hiccups, regardless of age, gender and other physiological characteristics. Feels like a "hiccup" attack does not give any pleasure. Any sharp contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles provokes short and unnatural breaths, as well as a pronounced protrusion of the abdomen.

If the hiccup's mouth is not closed, then a characteristic sound is also heard. It is provoked due to the accelerated passage of air through the closed glottis. Perhaps, there are no other features of the phenomenon of hiccups.

Causes of prolonged hiccups

Prolonged hiccups can have serious causes

The physiological cause of hiccups is the previously mentioned contraction of the respiratory and costal muscles. The factors provoking such a condition are both natural processes in the body and pathologies. In a completely healthy person, prolonged hiccups appear due to:

too fast food intake in large quantities;
dry food;
hypothermia;
one-time respiratory disorders;
psychoemotional disorders;
smoking.

As for pathological hiccups, it occurs in a number of diseases of the body. The main ones are:

Pathologies of the central nervous system that provoke the brain to malfunction and send incorrect signals to the muscles from its side.
Most often, prolonged hiccups are the result of infectious lesions that can provoke the development of inflammation in the brain (measles, chickenpox, syphilis, influenza, etc.). Less commonly, an attack is provoked by cranial trauma, mental illness, and the development of neoplasms.
Diseases of the endocrine system, kidneys and liver. For example, with diabetes mellitus, renal and hepatic insufficiency, prolonged hiccups appear in patients with frequent intervals. This is due to the development of disorders in the body, which provoke involuntary contraction of the respiratory muscles.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, provoking increased gas formation. , dyspepsia, reflux, tumors and other pathologies of the stomach are often accompanied by bouts of prolonged hiccups.
Toxic lesions of the body, the mechanism of development of hiccups in which is similar to that described for pathologies of the nervous system. Violations in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, also often associated with problems in the central nervous system.

Among the unreported causes of prolonged hiccups, medication is not mentioned. There are a number of drugs that can provoke an unnatural contraction of the muscles of the respiratory system. It is not difficult to clarify the possibility of seizures due to the medications taken - it is enough to carefully study the instructions attached to them.

Troubleshooting

Babies can get hiccups when they're cold.

It is necessary to eliminate prolonged hiccups, taking into account the root cause of its development. If the attacks are rare, then you do not need to worry and deal with the problem in a profile. In other situations, it is undesirable to ignore hiccups, as it can indicate extremely dangerous diseases of the body.

Therapy of "hiccup" attacks begins with the diagnosis. The first step is to collect a history of the problem. Simply put, carefully analyze the circumstances that have arisen and understand - for what reason, most likely, hiccups appeared.

In some cases, you will also need to go to the clinic, which is especially important if there are suspicions of the pathological nature of the seizures.

In a medical institution, you will need to contact a therapist. Taking into account the individual characteristics of a particular patient, this doctor will write out a referral to:

surgeon
neurologist
or a psychiatrist.

Depending on the same individual characteristics of a particular clinical case, the measures taken to examine the patient's body are also determined. Usually you can not do without:

brain diagnostics (MRI, CT, etc.);
blood, urine and stool tests;
chest.

Based on the results of a comprehensive examination and identification of the root cause of the problem, a course of therapy is prescribed. It, like the procedure for diagnosis, is determined taking into account the specifics of a particular patient. In some cases, it is enough to take certain medications or eliminate the factors provoking hiccups, while in others, surgical intervention is indispensable.

Hiccup attacks themselves are easy to prevent. Usually enough:

a couple of deep sips of water;
short air retention;
waiting for 5-10 minutes.

In itself, prolonged hiccups are not dangerous, but the reason for its development is fraught with a considerable threat.

Do not forget that in the absence of proper and timely therapy, any pathologies of the body are complicated, provoking certain consequences. Such a thing should not be allowed.