Hiccups how do they happen

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Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in children. It can also affect adults. Treatment options may include: Treatment for the underlying disorder Changes to current drug dosages Switching to another form of nicotine therapy Anti-spasmodic drugs to calm the diaphragm A tube inserted into the nose nasogastric intubation A nerve block Surgery, to sever some of the nerves servicing the diaphragm.

Where to get help Your doctor Things to remember Hiccups, or hiccoughs, are involuntary sounds made by spasms of the diaphragm. Hiccups are usually harmless and resolve by themselves after a few minutes.

In some cases, prolonged hiccups that last for days or weeks may be symptomatic of underlying disorders. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. Related information.

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Reviewed on: Some things that irritate the diaphragm are eating too quickly or too much, an irritation in the stomach or the throat, or feeling nervous or excited. Almost all cases of the hiccups last only a few minutes. Some cases of the hiccups can last for days or even months, but this is very unusual and it's usually a sign of another medical problem.

You've probably heard lots of suggestions for how to get rid of hiccups, and maybe you've even tried a few. Most people experience hiccups from time to time. They can be uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing, but they are usually short lived.

Sometimes, however, they can indicate a more serious health concern. Folk remedies for hiccups include drinking water and giving someone a shock, among others. Not all of these will work, but some may help. Recurring or long term hiccups can indicate a serious underlying cause, such as neurological damage.

For this reason, people should seek medical help if hiccups last for longer than 48 hours. In this article, learn more about what causes hiccups, how to stop them, and when to see a doctor.

Hiccups result from a muscular spasm that happens when a person breathes in bursts of air. When a person breathes in, they use the intercostal muscles between the ribs and the diaphragm a dome-shaped sheet of muscle below the lungs.

Usually, when a person takes a breath, the diaphragm pulls down to draw air into the lungs. As they breathe out, the diaphragm pushes up to expel the air.

When a person has hiccups, the diaphragm contracts and pulls down, drawing in air between breaths. Immediately after this, the windpipe closes for a moment to prevent more air from entering the lungs. The stomach, which is directly below the diaphragm, becomes distended. This irritates the diaphragm and causes it to contract, as it does when we breathe in.