Why are hiccups caused?

Have you ever wondered why we get hiccups? If so, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Hiccups are a weird and sometimes embarrassing bodily phenomenon that can happen to anyone, anywhere. In this article, we will delve into the science behind hiccups and find out exactly what causes them.

What Are Hiccups?

Before diving too deep, let’s define what hiccups are briefly. Hic–it’s the involuntary contraction of our diaphragm muscle (a broad skeletal muscle that separates the chest/thorax from our abdomen) followed by sudden closure of your vocal cords which results in the sound ‘hic’. These contractions give us those pesky “hics” that interrupt conversations or make us jump mid-sentence.

Types of Hiccups

Not all hiccups are created equal i.e., one hiccup isn’t necessarily like another hiccup! There exist two types of persistent or long-lasting hiccoughs- synchronous & asynchronous. Synchronous means when both sides contract while asynchronous refers to only one side contracting at any given time-span.

Contraction of Diaphragm Muscle is Primary cause

The primary cause for any type/category of sirasotonic condition (hinderance/blockage/ resistance/stenosis as in case-of-hic) could either be anatomical pathology (inborn/birth-defect/injury/trauma from external source/fungal/viral influx etc). In contrast to that generally-most-common form is physiological-based elements/regulators/environments…like spicy-foods/emotions/fizzy-drinks/recent surgeries/black magic etc.

To explain more explicitly – Normally, inhale enables diaphragm a signal via phrenic nerve activating certain specified fibres present inside it resulting in its upward motion creating cavity volume change suctioning air inside our lungs. Diaphragm then relaxes during the exhalation process; but under certain circumstances, these contractions become forceful and repetitive resulting in hiccups mostly after eating.

Food- induced Hiccup

Let’s look at hic from an everyday angle to see when we face it most frequently. One of these is by consuming food that rouses/enhances/irritates/toxicates specific portions of mouth cavity-digestive system /pharynx (connects nasal & oral cavities). Consumption of spicy or hot foods can stimulate your appetite thus weakening the lower oesophagal sphincter as well people get acid reflux because it releases gases like hydrogen sulphide which makes its way towards diaphragm muscle causing irritated spasms leading to hiccoughs.

Rapid Consumption

The other reason you might stumble upon a hic whilst trying to eat might be attributed to how quickly you’re consuming your food! Eating too fast devours excessive air along with your meal, leading to stomach expansion potentially rubbing against abdomen muscles and activating that contraction reflex eventually resulting in compression/discomfort/hic’ing publicly.

Telescope example: Have you ever won a pizza challenge? If yes, do my congratulations have some more cheese on them? Quick swallowing large bites isn’t welcome for any digestive routine especially when there is liquification involved alongside solid particles where our belly has fewer tools available than peristalsis.

Emotional State-induced Hiccup

Strong emotions could also lead us into feeling those pesky jerks deep down inside. Intense emotions such as fear/anxiety/cold-surprise/excitement/pain etc activate hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis ultimately making hyper changes in predetermined rhythms between different parts including vocal cords . Anxiety can significantly decrease carbon dioxide content changing blood pH balance tricking body’s inter-process communicational signals originating from phrenic/glossopharyngeal/vagus nerves.

Lifestyle induced Hiccups

Here is some humouristic possibility that may lead to the hics. Sudden drastic swings in everyday life patterns could induce changes both physically and emotionally; hence resulting in irritated spasms initializing reflex triggers (hic-up). One evening spent singing karaoke with friends followed by an all-night caffeine-fueled study session/ binge-watching your favorite sitcom can disrupt sleeping patterns thus be a possible suggestive factor for causing hiccups, sometimes painfully prolonged!

Drinking

In addition to this, excessive drinking of alcohols especially carbonized beverages can irritate gastric lining resulting in uncoordinated oesophagal channel opening/closing leading to dysfunctionality & pathological episode most commonly recognized as alcoholic gastritis syndrome which includes transcended acidity-eroding stomach walls eventually contributing into hic’uppery.

Table:
| Causes of Hiccups |
|——————|
| Rapid Eating |
| Alcohol |
| Stress |

Treatment Options

It’s good news to know most cases spontaneous disappear without any medical intervention within several minutes up-to hours i.e., self-limited bouts because diaphragm muscle resumes its normal routine after few cycles associated with breathing. On-going episodes require proper medication from GP / pulmonary specialist typically anti-spasmotic or muscular-relaxants drugs also immediate therapy presented by holding breath or stimulation via wet-cloth etc hitherto has no clinical proof but still being confoundingly used.

Bear Down Technique

Bear down technique: Take your forehead while exhaling towards gently pushing against it so muscles responsible for upward-downward motion get pre-activated interrupting the hiccup might force itself away! not very student appropriate but among elderly could show decent results.

Other treatments include drinking cold water thus resetting phrenic nerve firing forcing interruption preventing enough space for next spasm fit-in alcohol consumption abstinence avoiding air-gulping consuming food in smaller bites relaxation and breathing mechanism based upon voice-therapy etc.

Conclusion

After diving deep into the science behind hiccups, I hope you have a better understanding of what causes these pesky contractions. Next time you get a hiccup attack, remember that it’s just your diaphragm muscle acting up! While most cases are entirely harmless and self-resolving and only associated with minor discomfort, seek medical attention if persisting for more than 48 hours or shows an overtly pathological pattern as listed earlier. So take care of yourself & enjoy good health always!

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