Do you find yourself getting hiccups more and more often? Find out why and what you can do to treat the problem.
Various causes of hiccups
A generously portioned meal, a quickly swallowed pop, or a bit too much alcohol are likely culprits in causing hiccups. That is because these factors cause your stomach to distend. And that is why your mother always told you not to gulp your food and drink.
But some other things can also cause hiccups, such as:
- stress
- swallowing air while eating
- consuming foods of varying temperatures (i.e. if you eat some hot soup and follow up with a glass of cold water)
It’s all about the diaphragm
So, why do I get hiccups when I do any of these things? An overly full stomach is only indirectly responsible; the real culprit is the diaphragm. This muscle acts as a sort of pump for the lungs and is located just above the stomach. When the stomach is too full, or if you have a fit of coughing, it puts pressure on the diaphragm and causes a spasm reflex. These involuntary contractions of the diaphragm expel air from the lungs, resulting in the little chirps or squeaks that are cute in babies but not so cute in grown-ups. Hic! (...) Hic! (...) Hic!
Benign acute hiccups
Acute hiccups, also called singultus, are characterized by the symptoms mentioned above. This is the most frequent kind of hiccups, which we all must endure at one time or another. Generally, they go away by themselves after a few minutes. Now that you know why you have the hiccups so often, you can try to reduce their frequency by taking your time when eating or drinking—fill your belly with delight but with a little less gusto!
Serious symptoms that need medical attention
If you wonder “Why do I get hiccups so often?” but you really mean “Why have I had the hiccups for two days?” then the situation could be a bit more serious. Extended hiccup fits are usually linked to health conditions such as chronic irritation of the diaphragm, diabetes, or gastro-esophageal reflux. Persistent hiccups (lasting more than 48 hours) and refractory hiccups (lasting up to a month) can be signs of these conditions. So if your hiccups last more than a couple of days, consult a health care professional.
Tricks for getting rid of the hiccups
Everybody likes to share their favourite trick for getting rid of the hiccups. You can try holding your breath and swallowing three times, breathing into a paper bag, or drinking a glass of water upside down. However, most likely, it’s simply the passing of time and the placebo effect that are in play. What’s most important is to slow down while you’re eating and drinking, and take a deep breath to relax your whole body, including the diaphragm.
