Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a trained healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns regarding your health.
Almost everyone has had a hiccup at some point; it's a common, humorous, and occasionally grating response. However, why does that abrupt, uncontrollable "hic" sound occur? Although they may appear little, hiccups are caused by an intriguing interaction between your brain, nerves, and diaphragm. This strange occurrence can be triggered by a number of things, from a rapid sip of soda to tense excitation. Let's explore the science of hiccups and learn how your body produces them, why they occur, and how to stop them.
The Science of Hiccups
The so-called vagus nerve, which connects many internal organs with the central nervous system, passes from the chest to the abdomen, closely adjacent to the esophagus. Together with the esophagus, this nerve squeezes through a narrow opening in the diaphragm (a muscular-tendinous septum separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity), then goes to the stomach and other organs of the abdominal cavity.
It is in this
narrow place that it is most often injured: when eating quickly, fairly large
pieces of food pass through the esophagus, the vagus nerve in the diaphragm
area is pressed and irritated. Irritation of the vagus nerve can occur when the
stomach is quickly filled, when overeating, as well as in an uncomfortable
position when the nerve is compressed, or when frightened, when a sharp breath
occurs.
Compression of
this nerve is fraught with dysfunction of many organs, so the body reacts very
quickly and actively to the discomfort that has arisen. It sends a signal to
the central nervous system, which, in turn, activates the phrenic nerve, which
is responsible for contractions of the diaphragm.
Hiccups are the
result of regular ("pulsating") activity of this nerve, which causes
the diaphragm to contract with powerful, sharp movements. Hiccups are an
attempt to "throw off the load" from the vagus nerve.
Therefore, the following helps with hiccups:
1. Straighten up, you can stretch.
2. Take a deep breath and hold it, as if pressing the diaphragm down; you can just breathe deeply and slowly.
3. Drink water, but not much, otherwise there will be the opposite effect.
All these actions help to "order" the disturbed
relationships between organs and reduce the pressure on the vagus nerve in the
esophageal opening of the diaphragm.
