What Causes Hiccups and How to Get Rid of Them

Hiccups are a series of spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm, i.e. a sheet of muscle extending across the bottom of the rib cage. Basically, it is the involuntary action that involves the reflex arc, a neural pathway that mediates a reflex action. In medical terminology, it is referred to as 'synchronous diaphragmatic flutter' (SDF). Although we experience them quite often, not many of us know what causes hiccups, and how to get rid of them. Let's try to find the answers to both these questions.

What Causes Hiccups?

Causes of hiccups exist in plenty, and range from gastric distention to psychogenic factors such as stress or excitement. Brief episodes of hiccups that you experience once in while, don't really need much attention as they tend to go on their own. But frequent episodes of hiccups can be a result of underlying serious pathophysiological process, which may require prompt medical attention and hence should not be ignored.

What Causes Hiccups in Adults?
Even though they are not so serious in most of the cases, persistent hiccups in adults can be a sign of some complication. This is the case especially when the person is involved in excessive drug or alcohol abuse. More importantly, ailments such as renal failure and hyperglycemia can also lead to persistent hiccups in an individual.

What Causes Hiccups in Children?
In children, common causes of hiccups include overeating, drinking carbonated liquids, sudden excitement, fear, etc. Overeating and drinking carbonated liquids causes the stomach to distend, and triggers spasmodic contractions. Too much of excitement or sudden fear can also trigger bouts of hiccups which eventually go on their own.

What Causes Hiccups in Babies?
Hiccups in babies can be scary, not for the babies themselves but for their parents. It's difficult to determine what causes hiccups in infants. Usually, this is the result of taking in too much of air while feeding. Though such instances are quite rare, hiccups in babies are also triggered by underlying health problems, such as gastroesophageal disease (GERD), at times.

What Causes Hiccups During Pregnancy?
A pregnant woman can experience bouts of hiccups at any time during her pregnancy. The frequency, however, is unusually high during the end of first trimester or the beginning of second trimester. Hiccups during pregnancy are mainly attributed to the fact that the rate of inhaling or exhaling is 30 to 40 percent more during pregnancy as compared to normal circumstances.

What Causes Hiccups After Surgery?
A person is also likely to experience sudden bouts of hiccups after surgery. These bouts of hiccups after surgery are relatively common among people recovering from gastric or back surgery. Post-surgery hiccups are also caused as a result of reaction with the anesthetic.

How to Get Rid of Hiccups?

This brings us to the most important question - how to get rid of hiccups? Brief episodes of hiccups very often terminate on their own, or respond to simple methods such as drinking a glass of water in one go or some patting on the back. The best cure for hiccups caused due to medical complication would be to treat the underlying medical condition itself. One of the most popular method of getting rid of hiccups is to sip 10 gulps of water slowly without stopping to breathe in-between. You can also try other hiccup remedies that work given below.

• Put a teaspoon of sugar under your tongue, and let it dissolve.
• Suck on a wedge of fresh lime or small pieces of fresh ginger.
• Take a deep breath and try to hold it as long as possible. Keep repeating the process.
• Distract yourself by talking to someone or singing a song.
• Breathe continuously into a paper bag.
• Breath slowly, allowing your lungs to expand and contract completely.

Holding your breath as long as possible or slow rhythmic breathing allows the lungs to expand and push down on diaphragm, which in turn stops hiccups. If hiccups are triggered by any medication or after surgery, it's wise to consult a doctor to get relief from the discomfort.

Although hiccups are harmless, they should not be ignored - especially if they occur frequently or if they continue for long periods. If hiccups continue for more than 24 hours in adults or more than 3 hours in children, one should immediately consult a doctor. Knowing what causes hiccups and how to get rid of them can be of great help when it becomes irritating.