Having the hiccups can be embarrassing, and they can be quite loud and painful. There are several treatment options, and there are also some natural ones. Read on to learn more. In this article, you will learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Symptoms
Loud and painful hiccups can be a warning sign of something more serious, and you should seek medical attention immediately. There are many reasons why your hiccups may be happening, including an infection, drug reaction, or neurological disorder. A physician will first perform a full neurologic examination and then determine the exact cause of your hiccups. If the cause is known, treatment can be found with one of many drugs.
Long-term hiccups are often caused by a metabolic or central nervous system disorder. They can also be triggered by certain medications and medical procedures. Regardless of the cause, hiccups can disrupt breathing, eating, and sleeping. If they last for more than 48 hours, it’s time to see a doctor.
Causes
Most adults don’t experience loud and painful hiccups too frequently, but they can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are some tried and true remedies. These include drinking ice water, holding one’s breath, and touching the back of the throat. If the hiccups last for more than a day, medical intervention may be necessary.
Chronic hiccups can be a symptom of heart trouble, but they’re not as common as you might think. If you experience them several days in a row, it’s possible you’re experiencing a heart attack. Josh Davenport, an emergency medicine physician, recalls one case of a 68-year-old man who had hiccuped for four days in a row. He ruled out a smoking habit, and suspected a heart attack. The doctor ordered an electrocardiogram.
In some cases, the hiccup is caused by damage to the diaphragm, the muscle that enables you to breathe in air. Inflammation causes the diaphragm to spasm, forcing air to be sucked into the throat. Chronic hiccups can be caused by intestinal disease, brain lesions, and drugs used during surgery.
Treatments
Treatments for loud and painful hicups can include a variety of options, including medication, relaxation techniques, and alternative treatments. Alternative remedies may include hypnosis and acupuncture. Some people find relief by simply holding their breath or by bringing their knees to their chest. For some, however, a doctor’s help is required.
Transient hiccups may be treated with nasopharyngeal stimulation, which involves drinking water or inserting a small tube through the nose for 20 seconds. For persistent hiccups, the doctor may recommend anti-sickness medicines, including proton pump inhibitors, to reduce stomach acid levels.
Prolonged hiccups may signal an underlying disease. Chronic hiccups are a sign of a variety of disorders, including digestive problems, central nervous system disorders, and even an infection.
Natural remedies
There are a few natural remedies for loud and painful hiccup pain. Gargling water can relieve hiccup pain by stimulating the nerves in the back of the throat. Other hiccup remedies include using the fetal position, which applies gentle pressure to the diaphragm. These methods are generally effective, but the success rate will depend on the individual.
One home remedy for hiccup pain is to drink 20 sips of water in a row. This is thought to reduce the number of nerve impulses to the diaphragm. Holding your breath may also be effective.
Complications
If you have hiccups, you need to see a doctor right away. The condition can be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition. For instance, stomach surgery can irritate the nerves that control the diaphragm, causing hiccups. Other possible causes of hiccups are brain tumors, inflammation around the heart, or an infection of the brain.
If hiccups persist for more than three months, your doctor will likely recommend hiccup suppressant medications. Although most episodes of hiccups are self-limiting and require no medical intervention, they can be serious. Among other complications, persistent hiccups can indicate other problems, including cardiac disease and pulmonary embolism. Recurrent episodes can also indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease.
