Many people find stories of people with chronic hiccups entertaining. Some evening television shows and news reports make light of the situations. While occasional hiccups are normal experiencing them with any regular frequency is not. It is a sign or symptom of an underlying medical condition that could become serious.
The nerves of the upper spine are thought to be involved in producing the hiccups. Eating or drinking too fast can send a signal to the nerve involved, which then send a signal to the valve at the top of the throat to close. This is what produces the telltale noise.
There are many methods or movements that can help rid a person of the annoying noises if they do not go away on their own in a few minutes. Any action that limits the amount of oxygen the body takes in can help. This is why holding the breath or drinking water slowing without breathing can sometimes be effective. Any action that increases carbon dioxide and temporarily decreases oxygen intake can be effective. Breathing into a paper bag is another method commonly used.
For bouts that last several hours with no relief, a physician can provide relief. A tube can be passed into the esophagus to relieve any excess air that may have been swallowed. This may sound like a frightening proposition but can provide immediate relief. A single incident is probably not enough cause to worry about illness.
However, if the problem reoccurs with regularity a physician may want to conduct a thorough physical exam. The reason is that many underlying medical conditions can cause this phenomenon when it occurs or a regular basis. Common illnesses that lead to chronic hiccups include those that affect the lungs and those that affect the digestive system.
Lung disorders like asthma may cause hiccups when an individual attempts to get more air by gasping. Bronchitis, lung tumors, and pneumonia may also be caused related to the respiratory system. Sometimes such illnesses are hard to diagnose and some individuals may fail to display any obvious symptoms.
Many people are diagnosed with pneumonia each year who have not noticed any symptoms related to breathing. They may have notices some mild flu-like symptoms like fever and aching. Having a tumor in the lung is a serious condition that may indicate the presence of a malignancy. The sooner it is diagnosed and treated the better the outcome for the individual.
Digestive illnesses that can lead to chronic hiccups include bowel disorders, liver disease, and milder conditions like reflux or hiatal hernia. Reflux can be treated with prescription medication. Keeping the head of the bed elevated fifteen degrees is also helpful.
those who suffer from hiatal hernia may want to consider surgical repair. If hiccups occur on a regular basis this can provide a strong incentive for having the hernia repaired. Inflammatory bowel conditions that constrict or cause inflammation may prevent partially digested foods from moving forward as they should. This can lead to increased air in the digestive system. Liver disease often affects the digestive process as well.
If no underlying causes for chronic hiccups can be found there are other procedures a physician might use. Anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and sedatives may be used temporarily. A local anesthetic used in the back of the throat will relax the valve in the esophagus and prevent if from continue to make the classic noise.
Stimulating the diaphragm through movement or electrical stimulation are some interventions that do not involve medications and can provide natural relief. Those who experience occasional episodes after drinking carbonated beverages or after eating should consume the items more slowly and take special care not to swallow air when chewing and swallowing.
Another treatment for chronic hiccups might include patients being on anti-psychotic drugs, or either sedatives. Another one that is popular is the rectal massage because it helps to provide some relief. Carbonated beverages, or vinegar might contribute to the chronic hiccups. In some cases that is severe surgical intervention might be needed whenever the nerve that is phrenic must actually become crushed. When it becomes crushed it can either stop the chronic hiccups, or reduce them.
In some cases chronic hiccups might be caused from: lesions, surgery, tumors, irritation of the bladder, pregnancy, pancreatitis, hepatitis, and liver cancer. When they continue and will not stop for long periods then the doctor might run some tests and see if there is something else that causing it or if it could be as a result from one of these conditions. If it is as a result with one of these medical conditions then the treatment for chronic hiccups would vary but still might have either a herbal, or some kind of medication given depending on the cause.
The side effects given for chronic hiccups vary. In most cases the side effects are usually rare, or might not happen at all. Some of the drugs that are given to help patients with hiccups include but not limited to: metoclophramide, haloperidol, baclofen, and chlorpromazine. Only in cases that might be severe is baclofen given because it can actually suppress the hiccups by working as an anti-spasmodic. It is suggested that before any drugs or medications is given that a digital rectal massage is given so that it can cause a cessation that is immediate with hiccups. In some cases with chronic hiccups this might not be enough but usually the message therapy is known to work over 90% of the time and has a lot of positive reviews with it and is used on patients that feel uncomfortable with taking medications.