Hiccups are an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm and other chest muscles, followed by the closure of the glottis and vibration of the vocal cords, producing a characteristic noise.
This spasm is triggered by irritation of certain nerves, such as the vagus or phrenic nerve, or a part of the brain that controls the respiratory muscles, which can occur for several reasons, such as:
Despite these possible causes, it is unclear how these changes lead to spasms of the diaphragm and chest.
Most of the time the cause of hiccups is not serious, however, if it persists for more than 2 days, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms indicative of diseases such as pneumonia or brain diseases, it is necessary to consult the family doctor.to find the cause.
Hiccups in infants are very common and can occur even before birth, always in the mother’s uterus, this can happen because the chest and diaphragm muscles are still developing and therefore, in most cases, are not cause for concern.the baby’s hiccups.
However, if hiccups last longer than a day, or make your baby uncomfortable to sleep or breastfeed, it may have other causes at its source, such as infections or inflammations, for example, so it’s important to consult your pediatrician for research and correction.Treatment.
Hiccups usually go away spontaneously in a few minutes, but in some cases it can last up to 2 days, to stop the hiccups it is important to resolve the cause, but if it is a temporary situation there are methods to contract it.through faster, through maneuvers such as drinking cold water, holding your breath for a few seconds, or breathing indoors.A paper bag, for example, that stimulates the vagus nerve and increases CO2 levels in the blood.
Take a look at these and other maneuvers to stop the hiccups
If the hiccup persists for more than 2 days, or if it is constant and repetitive, it is recommended to seek the assistance of the family doctor, so some tests are requested, with chest x-ray and blood tests, to look for possible causes of hiccups.If necessary, your doctor may also prescribe a medicine to treat persistent hiccups.