A hiccough is an extraordinary type of breathing movement involving a sudden intake of air inspiration due to an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm accompanied by closure of the vocal apparatus (glottis) of the larynx. A hiccough is also called a hiccup.The abrupt inspiration is the result of a sudden contraction of the diaphragm. Closure of the glottis then halts the incoming air. The column of air strikes the closed glottis to produce the characteristic sound: a hiccup.
Hiccups are often rhythmic.
If self-limited, they are just a minor nuisance, but prolonged hiccups can become a major medical problem.
Hiccough caused by
It has been said that hiccoughs are caused by the lack of sufficient intake of oxygen in the air we breath. Many people have many beliefs about what actually causes hiccoughs, and we do not claim to know the true cause(s). However, we do know that when one hiccoughs, there is an involuntary or reflex action of a quick inhalation, accompanied by the brief pain or discomfort caused when the top of the closed throat is inhaled against.
Hiccough can also be caused by
- Diseases of the pleura (thin membrane layers that cover the lung).
- Use of certain prescription or non-prescription drugs.
- Disorders of the stomach, esophagus, bowel, or pancreas.
- Spread of cancer from another part of the body to the liver or part of the pleura.
- Pneumonia.
Remedies & Symptoms
BELLADONNA
- Hiccough and convulsions of left arms and right leg alternating.
- Voilation hiccough after midnight, accompained by profuse sweat .
- Spasms, composed partly of eructations,party of hiccough voilent attacks of hiccough , so that they jerk the patient up, even with feeling of suffocation.
BISMUTH
- Hiccough , pressure in stomach after a meal.
- Violent eruction, somthing fotid and cadaverous-smelling.
- Gastric irritation with pyrosis, restless , moving about.
CYCLAMEN
- Sever hiccough while eating and for some time afterwards or hiccough -like eructations, esp. in Pregnant women.
- Burning in oesophagus and aching pains in stmoch,extended thought to back,coming on when at rest, by motion.