Hiccups

Having hiccups can be quite funny when they occur for short periods of time, if they persist however, they become extremely annoying and disturbing. Hiccups are caused by the sudden and repeated spasms of the diaphragm, this muscular spasmodic action is involuntary and will go away within minutes by itself-they can persist in some cases, and some unlucky individuals have been known to be affected by a hiccup for hours on end. The sudden halting of breath causes the typical “hic” sound and this occurs when the diaphragm contracts and the throat closes abruptly-in general hiccups happen to everyone for many different reasons-spicy foods, alcohol and many other foods are known to trigger hiccups in people.

The underlying causes for hiccups, though it is obvious and well documented is still not well understood by scientists who have studied it. Though researchers know that hiccups are caused by an irritation in the nerves that lead up to the diaphragm-these sets off involuntary spasms and muscular contractions in the diaphragm. Some specific causative factors exist for triggering hiccups, thus it can be started by swallowing substances which are too hot or too cold at the time of eating, hiccups are also known to be triggered by eating too quickly-certain foods may also easily induce hiccups in the person eating them. Persistent hiccups can be caused by factors such as alcoholism, and the presence of various disorders in the lungs, in the liver, and organs like the pancreas and the stomach of affected individuals.

Supplements and herbs

This condition cannot be treated by consuming vitamin and mineral supplements, such supplements do not bring any remedial action to bear on hiccups, especially if it is persistent.

Hiccups can also be the result of an underlying nervous condition affecting the person, this can be helped by drinking calming herbal teas made from the lemon balm, the fennel, the valerian or from the passion flower. This herbal tea can be prepared by mixing a tsp. of these herbs and using a cup of boiling water to steep them for about ten minutes-the resulting liquid can be strained and this tea can be consumed on a regular basis to beat back hiccups.

What else you can do

Hiccups can best be suppressed by taking a deep breath and holding it for sometime. Alternately you can take a deep breath, hold it in and then drink a glass of water till the need to take the next breath comes. These actions can make you give out a belch and this will help relieve the persistent hiccups. The best method that works for certain people is the use of a paper bag, here the individual hold his or her breath for as long as possible or breathes very deeply into a paper bag which is held close to his or her mouth-this action succeeds in beating back the hiccup.

More useful herbs

• Chiretta
• Fireweed
• Galangal