10 Shocking Reasons Why You Can’t Stop Hiccuping (Sinok)

Hiccups are strange little sounds that can escape from your mouth without warning. It is a truly useless experience, but most of us did it before we were born and will keep on doing it every now and then for the rest of our lives.

Why? Nobody is really sure. Some experts believe hiccuping is the last sign of a primitive reflex that at one time served some useful purpose, but not anymore.

What causes it? The explanations are long and endless, but most experts start their lists of hiccup sins with eating too fast and swallowing too much air. It seems a good place to start.

The 10 Shocking Reasons Why You Can’t Stop Hiccuping

1. Eating Too Fast

Eating too quickly increases the amount of air or fluid in the stomach that could stimulate the vagus nerve causing the involuntary spasm that triggers hiccups. Just try distracting the nerves by drinking “upside down” by holding the far edge of a glass filled with water against your upper lip.

2. Taking Pills

Hiccups are an involuntary reflex caused by a sudden contraction of the diaphragm and some medications that are known to trigger them include sedatives such as steroids, diazepam, levodopa for Parkinson’s disease, and some painkillers and antibiotics.

3. Acid Reflux

Digestive acid can escape and travel towards the esophagus, irritating the nerves there, leading to hiccups.

4. Munching Potatoes

When potatoes are cooked and then left cooled, they contain more resistant starch, which is difficult to digest. This can result to produce a lot of gas, irritating the diaphragm. Just stick to eating them while hot or just eat it slowly and in small amounts.

5. Temperature Changes

When unexpected temperature changes, such as those brought on by stepping outside on a cold day can cause hiccups.

6. Stress

Stress, anxiety, and excitement cause us to breathe faster, which puts pressure on the diaphragm. Just take a moment to reset your breathing by inhaling for as long as you possibly can because this increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood, which hinders spasms.

7. Kidney Disease

When both kidneys malfunction they are unable to filter out harmful substances such as urea or a compound of protein, and when these high levels of urea gather in the blood, they can irritate the phrenic nerve, bringing spasms.

8. Gallbladder Infection

Hiccups maybe caused by chronic irritation of the nerves or tissue in the diaphragm, stomach or esophagus. This may be an indication of a serious condition such as gallbladder infection, heart inflammation or a brain condition.

9. You’re Pregnant

Two-thirds of pregnant women experience frequent attacks of hiccups. This is due to excess release of the hormone progesterone that slows down digestion and the position of the fetus puts pressure on the diaphragm.

10. Baby’s Hiccup

Why babies are prone to hiccup more? It’s because babies tend to swallow an excessive amount of air, making them more vulnerable to hiccups. Just put your baby in a more upright position when feeding them.

CONCLUSION

Everyone can be affected by hiccup from babies to adults, but according to studies, the risk of having it is higher in men. Take note that a hiccup that lasts a few days or months may be an indication of a problem with the Central Nervous System. It can be cancer, infection, stroke, or an indication of a metabolic problem, or kidney failure. So, don’t hesitate to visit your doctor to diagnose your hiccup.