CHRONIC HICCUPS
HICCUPS
hiccups |
Hiccups is an repeated involuntary contraction of the diaphragm (muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity) followed by a sudden closure of vocal cords, which cause characteristic "hic" sound.. The hiccup is an involuntary action involving a reflex arc. Hiccups is not a medical concern if it last for a few minutes or hours but when lasting longer than 2 days are considered as chronic hiccups and it may require medical intervention. Chronic hiccups may cause some serious medical issues such as dehydration, severe weight loss due to loss of appetite (desire to eat) and exhaustion due to it disrupt sleep.
CAUSES OF HICCUPS
The causes of hiccups is generally unknown, chronic hiccups are very rare, The following are just some of the possible causes:
- Coughing
- Swallowing air with chewing gum or sucking on candy
- Brain lesions or tumour
- Swallowing air excessively
- Gastroesophageal re-flux (disorder to stomach content to move back into the tube (esophagus) that connect stomach and mouth )
- Rapid eating and eating too much
- Recent surgery
- Recent general anesthesia
- Diseases of the bowel, kidneys, or liver
- Brain stem seizures
- Drinking carbonated beverages and alcohols
- Excitement or emotional stress
SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF HICCUPS
Symptom of hiccups is Hiccuping - characteristic "hic" sound, It may sometimes be accompanied the following:
- A non repetitive or repetitive of breathing diaphragm spasms.
- A brief (less than one half second), unexpected, shoulder, abdomen, throat, or full body tremor.
- Hiccups may present as an audible chirp, squeak, "hupp", or if controlled, a quick inhaling gasp, sigh, or sniff.
- Hiccups may present as brief or painful, frequent or occasional interruptions in normal breathing, with sudden momentary pain of the throat, chest, and/or abdomen.
TREATMENT OF CHRONIC HICCUPS
remedy for hiccups (water drinking) |
Home remedies such as drinking a glass of water is usually used to reduce the duration of hiccups. Treatment of chronic hiccups depend on the underlying cause and may include:
- treating underlying cause that complicated into hiccups
- medications prescribed by a doctor, such as baclofen, chlorpromazine, or metoclopramide (Reglan)
- surgery for very severe case that helps in controlling diaphragm movement.
- electrically stimulating the vagus nervethrough an implanted device
- injecting the phrenic nerve with anesthetic
- acupuncture is tradition way of controlling hiccups
Medication like chlorpromazine (10 to 50 mg per oral three times a day) is usually effective in treating chronic hiccups, but further investigation into the underlying cause is necessary to determine how to prevent the hiccups from returning. Tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, and sedatives can also be used to disrupt the spasm creating the hiccup. Sometimes, medication may not work, and surgery on the nerve that controls diaphragm movement may be necessary.
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