What to do if you have hiccups
synonym
Singultus
English: hiccup
What helps with hiccups?
In the vast majority of cases, there is no therapy hiccup necessary. The reason is that mostly the hiccup disappears after a short time. In cases in which chronic hiccups are present, symptomatic therapy should definitely be considered, but above all the triggering cause of the hiccups.
In conventional medicine, a treatment attempt with sedatives, such as Benzodiazepines should be tried. However, these are drugs that should be taken for a short time because they have a considerable potential for dependence. Medicines to inhibit stomach acid (so-called proton inhibitors) can also be used. Medicines from neurology / psychiatry (neuroleptics) are also used in some cases.
The last option for chronic hiccups that persist for a long time and cause both psychological and physical stress on the person affected is ligation Phrenic nerve. The diaphragm is made up of a left and a right Phrenic nerve provided. After identifying who is causing the hiccups Phrenic nerve, this can be surgically separated. Of the Phrenic nerve the other side must be with the breathing then take over the work of the destroyed nerve. This surgical treatment method is the last possible treatment, as it is also associated with considerable risks. In the case of chronic hiccups, the underlying cause must be eliminated. In the case of surgical adhesions on or near the diaphragm Phrenic nerve Structures it may also be necessary to carry out a so-called revision operation to loosen these adhesions again.
Tips / help with hiccups
Hiccups, or what it's called in medical: Singultus occurs when there is an irritation of the phrenic nerve, which supplies the diaphragm with sensitivity and is attached to the diaphragm on the left and right. (see: Causes of Hiccups)
This irritation usually comes about when there is too much air in the stomach, causing the stomach to expand and put pressure on one or both nerves. Otherwise, the nerves have the task of contracting and slackening the diaphragm when breathing. If the nerves are irritated, there is a sudden contraction that lasts for a few milliseconds. The affected person notices this through the classic hiccups.
In most cases, the hiccups will go away as quickly as they came.
But there are also annoying, agonizing processes that can last for hours or even days.
There are a few tricks you can try to get rid of the hiccups first:
- First you should try to hold your breath for about 30 seconds. In many cases, the hiccups will go away.
- If this does not work, you can still try to drink a glass of ice water.
Both measures are intended to reduce irritation of the Phrenic nerve relieve and thus ensure that the nerve resumes normal activity. Should this also not succeed with the measures, you can also try to exhale briefly and in short bursts.
This maneuver should be carried out for a few minutes.
If the hiccups do not go away, you can still try to make the hiccups go away by increasing the pressure in the body.
You can try this by holding your nose and then pushing the air in the body outwards. By exhaling against the resistance, the hiccups usually disappear.
If the hiccups do not go away, a doctor should be consulted, as there could also be serious causes that cause the hiccups to develop and not go away. There are some very difficult cases where a nerve needs to be surgically destroyed in order to break up the permanent hiccups.
Baby hiccups
Hiccups in babies and toddlers are more common than adults.
The causes of hiccups are the same in children and adults, but swallowing and breathing in babies and young children are not as well studied as in adults.
In individual cases this means that children e.g. swallow more air when eating than adults. This swallowed air causes the stomach to inflate and thus pressure on one or both of the diaphragm Phrenic nerve which can lead to persistent and prolonged hiccups in babies.
As a rule, no treatment needs to be carried out. The hiccups usually go away as quickly as they came. If babies have hiccups for several days in a row, a pediatrician should be consulted to determine the exact cause of the hiccups.
Read more about the topic here Baby hiccups
Homeopathy for hiccups
There are a few homeopathic approachesto treat stubborn hiccups. A treatment attempt with the preparation can be carried out Cyclamen europaeum be performed.
A few globules of this preparation can be taken several times a day. Also a hiccup relieving effect is also the Nux vomica attributed.
The background to this is that it is assumed that the hiccups are always caused by increased stomach acid and overinflation of the stomach. This is done with Nux vomica treated. This preparation should also be used several times a day, e.g. be consumed with meals. Homeopathic medication must be taken regularly and for several days in a row in order to have a possible effect. However, there are no studies on the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines.
