Why is hiccups caused

If they last for over 48 hours, they are known as chronic hiccups. We all do it, we know it feels good, but why do we laugh? And, most importantly, is it good for our health? In this article, we mull over mirth. From the Carolina Reaper to the newly discovered Dragon's Breath, chili peppers are getting hotter. Find out what happens when the chili hiccups….

What you need to know about hiccups. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Share on Pinterest Hiccups can occur after eating spicy food, drinking alcohol, and a range of other situations. Respiratory Ear, Nose, and Throat. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.

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Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M. Chronic hiccups and how to stop them. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. This is a dome-shaped muscle at the bottom of your chest, and all hiccups start here. The diaphragm almost always works perfectly. When you inhale, it pulls down to help pull air into the lungs. When you exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and air flows out of the lungs back out through the nose and mouth. But sometimes the diaphragm becomes irritated.

When this happens, it pulls down in a jerky way, which makes you suck air into your throat suddenly. Hiccups usually stop after a few minutes. Cause of hiccups The muscular activity of the diaphragm is controlled by nerves. Hiccups occur when particular stimuli trigger the nerves to send the diaphragm into spasms. It is not known why this occurs. Triggers of hiccups The cause of hiccups is often unknown and there may be no apparent trigger. Various triggers, particularly those that cause pressure on the diaphragm, are known to prompt an attack of hiccups in some people from time to time.

Some of these triggers include: Eating food too quickly Hot or spicy foods Indigestion Overconsumption of alcohol Fizzy drinks Cigarette smoking Stress Bad odours Pregnancy. Self-help strategies Hiccups are harmless and usually resolve by themselves in a few minutes.

Hiccups may be symptomatic of disease Hiccups that last for days, weeks or even years may be symptomatic of underlying disease. Certain lung or brain disorders can sometimes interfere with the functioning of the diaphragm and make the person prone to hiccups.

Hiccups may also be a side effect of surgery or particular medications. Some of the diseases, conditions and drugs that may prompt frequent or prolonged attacks of hiccups include: Oesophagitis inflammation of the oesophagus An overactive thyroid gland Pleurisy inflammation of the membrane surrounding the lungs Pneumonia inflammation of the lungs Kidney disease Brain damage, such as stroke or tumour, that affects the area of the brain which controls the diaphragm Abdominal surgery Chest surgery Certain epilepsy medications Nicotine gum Medical treatment Prolonged hiccups should be medically investigated.

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.