A hiccup may spell danger
Mar 28, 2011
WE all get a hiccup at some point in life, and many times we have related it to different aspects, for instance in some cultures, it is believed that when someone is talking about you, you get a hiccup.
By Emmanuel Buufu
WE all get a hiccup at some point in life, and many times we have related it to different aspects, for instance in some cultures, it is believed that when someone is talking about you, you get a hiccup.
According to Kalibbala Sendi, the senior medical officer of Mengo Hospital, hiccups are uncontrolled spasms (strong contractions of the muscles) of the diaphragm. Each spasm causes quick intake of breath which results in a hiccup.
The phrenic nerve which controls the diaphragm is directly responsible for these spasms. “From the physiological stand point, the medical community has not reached a consensus on why hiccups occur.
Doctors agree that hiccups do not serve any useful purpose,†says Kalibbala. It is thought that a number of specific nerves in the spinal cord at the back of the neck, control a hiccup.
When something triggers these nerves, they send signals to the phrenic nerves which control the diaphragm. The diaphragm signals back to the hiccup centre and hiccups begin.
Silas Gogo from School and Family Health Medics Nsambya, says the common trigger is swallowing air usually from eating too fast, chewing gum or drinking carbonated beverages. Some people get a hiccup when they consume alcohol or spicy foods and when stressed or excited.
However, Kalibbala cautions that when a hiccup lasts for over 48 hours, one should seek medical attention. A hiccup can interefe with work, feeding or sleep and may cause weight loss.
It may also signal serious medical conditions like pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs). Other conditions include gastroesophageal reflux (stomach contents going back to gullet), heart attack, lung tumours, kidney failure, asthma and bronchitis.
Home remedies
Place one-half teaspoon of dry sugar on the back of the tongue. You can repeat this three times at two-minute intervals. However, for young children, use corn syrup not sugar.
Fill a glass with ice cubes and water then drink slowly. The rapid change in temperature in the eosophagus may shut down the hiccup response.
Kalibbala says another technique is to increase carbon dioxide levels in the blood by holding one’s breath, re-breathing the exhaled air into a polythene bag for a few minutes, or slowly sipping a glass of water without pausing to take a breath.
While sitting, lean forward and compress the chest and diaphragm against the knees.
“In situations where the hiccup is chronic, the physician may pass a nasal gastric tube through the nose into the stomach to release trapped air, stimulating the back of throat at the same time. This may also stop the hiccup,†Kalibbala says.
Sometimes a physician can prescribe drugs. These include sedatives like chlorpromazine, promethazine and diazepam (valium) and plasil. Others are metoclopramide (plasil). Treatment of underlined diseases will stop hiccup.
WE all get a hiccup at some point in life, and many times we have related it to different aspects, for instance in some cultures, it is believed that when someone is talking about you, you get a hiccup.
According to Kalibbala Sendi, the senior medical officer of Mengo Hospital, hiccups are uncontrolled spasms (strong contractions of the muscles) of the diaphragm. Each spasm causes quick intake of breath which results in a hiccup.
The phrenic nerve which controls the diaphragm is directly responsible for these spasms. “From the physiological stand point, the medical community has not reached a consensus on why hiccups occur.
Doctors agree that hiccups do not serve any useful purpose,†says Kalibbala. It is thought that a number of specific nerves in the spinal cord at the back of the neck, control a hiccup.
When something triggers these nerves, they send signals to the phrenic nerves which control the diaphragm. The diaphragm signals back to the hiccup centre and hiccups begin.
Silas Gogo from School and Family Health Medics Nsambya, says the common trigger is swallowing air usually from eating too fast, chewing gum or drinking carbonated beverages. Some people get a hiccup when they consume alcohol or spicy foods and when stressed or excited.
However, Kalibbala cautions that when a hiccup lasts for over 48 hours, one should seek medical attention. A hiccup can interefe with work, feeding or sleep and may cause weight loss.
It may also signal serious medical conditions like pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs). Other conditions include gastroesophageal reflux (stomach contents going back to gullet), heart attack, lung tumours, kidney failure, asthma and bronchitis.
Home remedies
Place one-half teaspoon of dry sugar on the back of the tongue. You can repeat this three times at two-minute intervals. However, for young children, use corn syrup not sugar.
Fill a glass with ice cubes and water then drink slowly. The rapid change in temperature in the eosophagus may shut down the hiccup response.
Kalibbala says another technique is to increase carbon dioxide levels in the blood by holding one’s breath, re-breathing the exhaled air into a polythene bag for a few minutes, or slowly sipping a glass of water without pausing to take a breath.
While sitting, lean forward and compress the chest and diaphragm against the knees.
“In situations where the hiccup is chronic, the physician may pass a nasal gastric tube through the nose into the stomach to release trapped air, stimulating the back of throat at the same time. This may also stop the hiccup,†Kalibbala says.
Sometimes a physician can prescribe drugs. These include sedatives like chlorpromazine, promethazine and diazepam (valium) and plasil. Others are metoclopramide (plasil). Treatment of underlined diseases will stop hiccup.