Once an individual experiences hiccup, he tends to look into the cause of it. There are various causes for the occurrence of hiccups. Most individuals affected wonder what cause hiccups? Will hiccups be prevented? And how do hiccups occur?

 

Hiccups can be experienced by anybody at some period of time. These are actually hard to control and have a really weird sound.

 

 

 

 

 

For physiological reason, hiccups are caused by uncontrolled diaphragmatic spasms, where each spasm causes fast intake of breath. The phrenic nerve controls the diaphragm and is directly responsible for the occurrence of the spasms.

 

Possible affectation of the phrenic nerve such as touching of hair in the eardrum, sore throat and tumor in the neck or goiter may cause the occurrence of hiccups.

 

Basically, hiccups occur when the diaphragm and the set of inspiratory muscle make a sudden, strong contraction, while the expiratory muscles are strongly inhibited. After the start of contraction, the vocal cords shuts, producing the "hic" sound.

 

Just before the contraction of the diaphragm, the upper palate of the mouth moves up, same as the back of the tongue, where this causes the associated burp.

 

Hiccups are rarely isolated events and they have the tendency to recur every few second and at times after a few hours. 

 

There are various factors that can cause a person to have hiccups. One is eating or drinking too quickly, which causes stomach distention. Having stomach distention impinges the diaphragm that affects the flow of function of the diaphragm, which eventually causing spasms and lead to having hiccups.

 

Drinking alcoholic and carbonated drinks can lead hiccups to occur as well. These drinks causes stomach distention. Any quick intake of breath, even sneezing, laughing and coughing can lead to hiccups also.

 

A movement of stomach acid into the esophagus can lead to hiccups as well for the thorax may be affected and the phrenic nerve is irritated. 

 

Even sudden changes in temperature may cause hiccups to occur. The mere move of going out in a cold weather may trigger hiccups. Even eating too much of very hot food, very cold food and sometimes spicy food may bring about hiccups.

 

Hiccups can arise as well from different neurological conditions. Neurological lesions involving the brain stem, such as brain tumor, encephalitis, and brain injury may disrupt the transmission of nerve signals to the diaphragm, causing spasms that could result to hiccups.   

 

Metabolic disorders such as diabetes, renal impairment and electrolyte imbalance may bring about frequent hiccups as well. Medications used to treat these conditions such as steroids, tranquilizers and barbiturates can cause hiccups to occur. 

 

Surgery can also precipitate hiccups, where abdominal surgery is the most common. On post-surgery, the stomach has the possibility to distend and triggers episodes of hiccups. Certain surgical factors that can cause hiccups may include use of general anesthesia and intubation, which irritates the throat. 

 

 

Generally, doctors do not look for any significant causes of hiccups unless if the condition is persistent and medical intervention is highly needed.

 

There are still information and speculation regarding hiccupping that exists. A lot of individuals may have wondered what the cause and the proper management needed to be relieved from having hiccups. Still, the complete answer has to be determined still. Hiccups are complex motor acts and not just a mere twitch of the diaphragm.  

 

 

Just as most people have different opinions and ideas and what causes hiccups, they also have the tendency to disagree on ways to stop hiccups.

 

Some people may prove that certain method works, others may prove otherwise. However, common cures for hiccups may include holding your breath for a few minutes and drinking a glass full of water.

 

Others may consider gulping to be really effective, while others would swear on the effectiveness of tilting head upside down while drinking on the opposite side of the glass just to make the hiccups go away.

 

Treatments necessary in curing hiccups depends on what causes hiccups to occur. The best method in treating what causes hiccups will be finding out what treatment is best for you.