Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from news.com.au. This week, Dr Zac Turner lists the causes and cures of hiccups.
QUESTION: Hi Dr Zac, How do I get rid of the hiccups? Why do people even get hiccups? I’ve heard so many wives’ tales about how to cure them and some of them actually work. What is the science behind these quick fixes that actually make them work? – Alexandra, NSW
ANSWER: I love your curiosity Alexandra! It’s nice you are thinking about your body and questioning how things work inside. I challenge everyone reading this to question one thing about their body, and then to find out the answer.
Hiccups could be described as mouth farts, but it isn’t very scientific. If you want the real definition of hiccups, keep reading. They are involuntary spasms of the diaphragm, followed by a quick closure of the vocal cords. You often hear performers talk about their diaphragms. It is a muscle attached to your sternum that helps you inhale and exhale.
What causes hiccups? Well there are four main reasons. They are all connected primarily by irritation of the phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm.
Gastrointestinal distension
Overeating or drinking carbonated beverages can distend the stomach, putting pressure on the diaphragm and phrenic nerve.
Temperature changes
Sudden changes in temperature, such as drinking a cold beverage after a hot meal, can disrupt the normal function of the phrenic nerve.
Emotional states
Stress, excitement, or anxiety can stimulate the central nervous system, leading to hiccups in some individuals.
Medical conditions
In rare cases, hiccups can be a symptom of underlying medical conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), central nervous system disorders, or metabolic imbalances.
The key to curing your hiccups is to find out what is causing them. You need to play detective and identify which of the four reasons above is your suspect. Once you identify that, you should be able to stop your involuntary ‘mouth farts’! For example, excessive soda water or beer could be a trigger for your hiccups.
For your everyday run of the mill hiccups, having a glass of cold water or holding your breath could do the trick. It’s all about jump-starting your phrenic nerve back into shape. Which is why the legendary quick fix of drinking a glass of water while pinching your nose works! It’s science at play. You don’t need to do this while attempting a handstand however for this to be effective!
While often attributed to mundane causes like overeating or drinking carbonated beverages, hiccups can also be triggered by emotional states or underlying medical conditions. Maybe you will need to assess your emotional wellbeing and work on some stress relieving techniques.
Hiccups are just part of living life and being a human. If you have persistent hiccups that last from two days or a month, I highly recommend you seek medical help.
Got a question? Email askdrzac@conciergedoctors.com.au
Dr Zac Turner has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney. He is both a medical practitioner and a co-owner of telehealth service, Concierge Doctors. He was also a registered nurse and is a qualified and experienced biomedical scientist along with being a PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering.