What causes hiccups?
May 09, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Hiccups usually refer to singultus, which may be caused by improper diet, swallowing air, functional gastrointestinal disorders, gastritis, cholecystitis, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Maintain regular eating habits, eat smaller meals more frequently, ensure a balanced diet, and avoid overeating. Pay attention to balancing work and rest, keep a pleasant mood, which is beneficial for recovery.
Hiccups usually refer to singultus. In general, singultus may be caused by improper diet, swallowing air, functional gastrointestinal disorders, gastritis, cholecystitis, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Improper diet: Consuming cold foods such as ice cream or popsicles may stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, triggering stress responses that easily lead to diaphragmatic spasms, contractions, and subsequent hiccups. This is a normal physiological phenomenon and symptoms can be relieved by drinking warm water.
2. Swallowing air: Eating too quickly may result in excessive air intake, increasing gas volume in the stomach and potentially causing hiccups. Avoid rapid eating; applying heat therapy may help alleviate hiccups.
3. Functional gastrointestinal disorders: These may be related to psychological factors, dietary influences, or gastrointestinal infections. The condition causes abnormal gastrointestinal function, often leading to hiccups accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating. Patients may take medications such as mebeverine hydrochloride tablets, pinaverium bromide tablets, or bifidobacterium live bacterial capsules as directed by a physician.
4. Gastritis: Mainly caused by irregular eating habits or Helicobacter pylori infection, inflammation irritating the gastric mucosa may lead to hiccups, along with symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Patients should follow medical advice and use medications such as compound pepsin capsules, omeprazole enteric-coated tablets, or colloidal bismuth pectin capsules for treatment.
5. Cholecystitis: Often caused by obstruction and infection due to gallstones, the inflammatory process may irritate the diaphragm, causing excessive diaphragmatic contraction and triggering hiccups, commonly accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Patients may follow a doctor’s recommendations to use anti-inflammatory and bile-promoting tablets, clindamycin hydrochloride tablets, or ursodeoxycholic acid tablets for treatment.
Maintain regular meal times, eat smaller meals more frequently, and ensure a balanced diet, avoiding overeating. Pay attention to balancing work and rest, and maintain a positive mood, which is beneficial for recovery.
