Add Up Articles Directory | Free Articles | New Articles Daily

Hiccups are those annoying, nerve raking and sometimes even aching reflexes that we have when the vagus nerve or one of its branches, which runs from the brain to the abdomen, is irritated. The causes for hiccups are almost unknown, as none really knows how the vague nerve gets to be irritated. There are nonetheless some suppositions and a few remedies that would treat hiccups when they appeared.
You have intractable hiccups. Both types can cause serious health problems and, in some cases, even death. For many of us, hiccups begin in the womb. The recapitulation theory proposes that fetuses use hiccups in respiration before their lungs are fully developed. This may help explain why premature infants spend up to 2.5 percent of their time hiccuping more than full-term babies.
The diaphragm is the huge muscle that is situated underneath your lungs. It moves down to pull the lungs down to fill your lungs with air. You get hiccups when the diaphragm suddenly contracts downward to pull the lungs downward and bring air into the lungs, but, before the air can get into your lungs, the glottis, the trap door over the windpipe, suddenly closes, and prevents air from entering the windpipe.
Cardamom is also used for the treatment of hiccups. Mix a half teaspoon of cardamom powder in a cupful of water and then boiled to half its quantity. This mixture is then filtered and drunk. This is helpful if the hiccup is persistent.
The hiccups are thought to be caused by an irritation of the phrenic nerve. This nerve consists mainly of nerve fibers responsible for the contraction of the diaphragm. Many hiccup cures can actually add to the aggravation of the phrenic nerve and therefore instead of helping in stopping them the so called remedy can have the opposite affect and prolong the episode.
A hiccup is a reflex you have no control over and can be hard to stop. That being said, the interesting fact about hiccups is that unlike other reflexes (I.E. sneezing, coughing, etc.), a hiccup does not appear to have a useful purpose.
This could be the result of drinking carbonated beverages, swallowing too much air when drinking through a straw or eating to fast. Hiccups can be difficult to stop once they begin and most cures focus on disrupting the air flow to the stomach.
They can be caused due to minor problems such as flatulence and constipation. In such cases, hiccoughs are not serious and they can be taken care of easily. But hiccoughs that are caused due to chronic conditions must be considered with great care.
A sneeze is guaranteed. Neither employ the use of a toothpick, barbecue skewer nor any other sharp objects. You may hiccup during the process and cause considerable damage. Acting quickly limits the number of times you'll need to sneeze and the sooner you make an earnest attempt to rid yourself of the dreaded disorder, the less probability there is of their reappearance.
Avoid spicy food, as they irritate the stomach and the esophagus and can determine hiccups.