Causes of hiccups, from mild to chronic (persistent

Almost everyone has experienced hiccups in his life. In fact, babies who are still in the womb can also experience it. While these conditions are often harmless and go away on their own quickly, persistent hiccups can also be a sign that you have a serious medical problem. What are the causes of hiccups? Check out the following reviews.

What are the causes of hiccups?

The main cause of hiccups is the contraction or tension of the diaphragm, the muscle that lies between the chest and abdomen. This diaphragmatic muscle contraction can occur suddenly without being controlled.

This contraction causes air from outside to enter the lungs quickly. As a result, the epiglottis valve at the back of the tongue must close immediately so that food, drink, or saliva is not absorbed into the lungs. This sudden closure of the epiglottis is what makes the sound ' hik ' during hiccups.

Well, hiccups themselves can be caused by various factors, ranging from eating too much, soft drinks, to alcohol consumption.

Here are some of the common causes of hiccups in adults:

1. Eating too fast and too much

Eating large portions, especially in a rush, is the most common cause of hiccups. Overeating causes the stomach to rapidly expand and pushes the diaphragm to contract. Well, this is what then triggers the sound during the hiccups.

Eating too fast also causes a lot of air to enter when you swallow. Simultaneously, the diaphragm will contract excessively and the epiglottis closes rapidly so that no food gets into the throat.

2. Certain types of food

Some types of food can indeed cause hiccups, especially dry foods or those that taste too spicy.

Dry foods, such as bread, tend to be more difficult to chew or swallow than soft foods. Dry foods are prone to injuring and irritating the lining of the esophagus. A number of nerves in the esophagus will stimulate and trigger the diaphragm to contract, which in turn causes hiccups.

Consumption of spicy food also has a similar effect. The capsaicin content in food with chilies binds to special receptors on the diaphragm. As a result, the diaphragm muscle will contract or tighten. The airflow to the windpipe is rapid and hiccups occur.

3. Sudden temperature changes in the esophagus

Another cause of hiccups has to do with sudden changes in temperature in the esophagus. A sudden rise or fall in temperature "tickles" the esophageal nerves and stimulates excessive contraction of the diaphragm.

Well, the nerves in the esophagus are very sensitive when exposed to food and drinks that are very hot or cold. Apart from dietary factors, moving places with drastic changes in temperature also affects the esophagus.

4. Excessive emotions

Who would have thought that hiccups could also be triggered by excessive emotions? True, being too happy or stressed out can cause hiccups.

It is not yet known exactly how emotions trigger reactions in the diaphragm. It is possible that this phenomenon is related to certain hormones, such as dopamine.

What causes persistent hiccups?

The hiccups generally go away on their own in a short time. However, there are also hiccups that occur continuously for several days or weeks, even after using various methods to get rid of hiccups naturally.

Persistent hiccups are not only annoying, but also need to be watched out because they can be a symptom of certain diseases. Some of the things that cause persistent hiccups include:

1. Damage to brain blood vessels

In some cases, chronic hiccups occur due to problems with the blood vessels of the brain. Some of the diseases associated with this problem are strokes, such as brain ischemia and Wallenberg's syndrome. Stroke is quite common among patients with persistent hiccups.

Moreover, according to an article from Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility , prolonged hiccups can also occur in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). You should consider the possibility of SLE or stroke in someone (especially the elderly) who has prolonged hiccups to avoid delays in treatment.

2. Inflammation, injury, and tumors of the central nervous system

The cause of persistent hiccups can also occur due to inflammation, injury, or a tumor in the brain. Therefore, chronic hiccups usually go away after brain tumor patients undergo brain stem lesion surgery.

Swelling of the arteries in the cerebellum and brain injury can also cause hiccups. In addition, a rare condition called neuromyelitis optica, which affects the spinal cord and eye nerves, also triggers prolonged hiccups.

3. Cancer

Cancer is also believed to be one of the triggers why someone hiccups constantly. Symptoms of hiccups are quite common in cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment, or receiving opioid pain relievers, such as morphine.

In addition, it is possible that the cancer cells in the patient's body push against the diaphragm muscle, causing hiccups.

4. Digestive tract and stomach disorders

If you suffer from gastrointestinal and stomach disorders, you are more likely to experience prolonged hiccups. Some cases show that 7.9% of men and 10% of women with GERD experience prolonged hiccups.

Other health problems that occur in the digestive tract and stomach can cause persistent hiccups, such as:

• Gastric ulcer
• Appendix
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)
• Tumors in the stomach or intestines
• Diaphragmatic hernia

5. Anesthesia and post-surgery

Surgery can also cause you to have persistent hiccups afterward. One of the surgical procedures that can trigger hiccups is a colectomy, which is the surgical removal of part or all of the large intestine.

The use of anesthesia or anesthetic during surgery can also cause hiccups in the patient. However, experts are still debating whether the cause behind the hiccups is actually the surgical procedure itself, or the effects of the anesthetic administered.

Overcoming the cause of persistent hiccups

For common causes, you can get rid of hiccups naturally, for example by drinking or doing certain breathing techniques. Your doctor may also prescribe some medications if the hiccups you experience are persistent and don't stop.

If you are worried that you are experiencing frequent hiccups, talk to your doctor. Your doctor will help you undergo tests to determine the cause and solve your problem.