Hiccups - Have you had them?

A hiccup is an unintentional movement? or spasm of the diaphragm, the muscle at the base of the lungs. The spasm is followed by quick closure of the vocal cords, which produces a distinctive sound. As the muscle contracts repeatedly, the opening between your vocal cords snaps shut to check the inflow of air and makes the hiccup sound. Irritation of the nerves that extend from the neck to the chest can cause hiccups.

Almost everyone has had hiccups. The sure can be annoying and the seem to take ages to go away! Some people even have them before they're born. "Singultus" is the medical term for hiccups, derived from the Latin word "singult," which means the act of catching your breath while sobbing, an apt description of the way hiccups sound. Although they can be embarrassing - especially if the "hic" pops out of your mouth in a quiet room or during a meeting - hiccups are rarely cause for concern.

There's often no clear cause for hiccups, some factors that can trigger acute or transient hiccups include:

• Eating spicy food. Spicy food may cause irritation to the nerves that control normal contractions of your diaphragm.
• Eating a large meal, drinking carbonated beverages or swallowing air. These can cause your stomach to expand (distend), which pushes up your diaphragm, making hiccups more likely.
• Drinking alcohol. Alcohol can relax your diaphragm and vocal cords, making it easier for other factors to trigger hiccups.
• Sudden temperature changes. A quick change in temperature, either inside or outside your body, such as drinking hot liquids and then cold liquids or your shower water switching suddenly from hot to cold, can set off hiccups.
• Tobacco use. Tobacco use may irritate the nerves that control the diaphragm causing hiccups.
• Sudden excitement or emotional stress. Although it's not clear why stress or sudden excitement causes hiccups, it may be due to the effect being startled has on one of the nerves involved in the hiccup reflex.

Home Treatment: There is no sure way to stop hiccups, but there are a number of common suggestions that may be effective:

Breathe repeatedly into a paper bag. Drink a glass of cold water. Eat a teaspoon of sugar. Pulling the tongue with your fingers Hold your breath.

If persistent hiccups last for more than 48 hours?poor you!) ?a doctor's assistance should be sought.

Causes of Concern: Several serious underlying diseases are linked with hiccups and should be investigated if the hiccups are persistent, chronic, interfere with work, eating, or sleep, or are associated with weight loss.

• Nerve damage or irritation.
• Central nervous system disorders.
• Metabolic disorders.
• Surgery.
• Mental or emotional triggers.

Hiccups affect males more often than females. Hiccups occur in practically every human being, including babies and older adults. Next time whenever you have hiccups don't forget to try the home remedies. A myth is also attached with Hiccups that someone might be remembering you....the only good thing about hiccups!

(Sources: mayoclinic.com, emedicinehealth.com)