Monday, July 20, 2009
SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF HICCUPS
What are the symptoms of hiccups?
Sudden, forceful movement of the diaphragm, that causes the hiccup sound, is the only symptom of hiccups
Sudden, forceful movement of the diaphragm, that causes the hiccup sound, is the only symptom of hiccups
What is the treatment for hiccups?
Home Remedies for Hiccups. There are numerous home cures for hiccups. You can try these methods at home to get rid of hiccups. Methods that cause the body to retain co2, which is thought to relax the diaphragm and stop the spasms, which cause the hiccups. Hold your breath Techniques that stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to the stomach, and can decrease hiccupping. Drink a glass of water quickly Have someone frighten you Pull hard on your tongue Bite on a lemon Gargle with water Drink from the far side of a glass Use smelling salts Place one-half teaspoon of dry sugar on the back of your tongue. (This process can be repeated three times at two-minute intervals. Use corn syrup, not sugar, for young children.) Medical Treatment Most hiccups will stop on their own. Home remedies are generally sufficient to resolve hiccupping.
For persistent hiccups (lasting more than three hours) treatment varies. A physician may prescribe medications for severe, chronic hiccups. Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) is usually the first-line medication prescribed for hiccups. Other medications used to treat hiccups include (Haldol) and metoclopramide (Raglan).
Some muscle relaxants, sedatives, analgesics, and even stimulants have also been reported to help alleviate hiccup symptoms. Phrenic nerve surgery (the nerve that controls the diaphragm) is a treatment of last resort. This treatment is rarely performed and used only in cases that do not respond to other treatments.
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Tuesday, July 14, 2009
WHAT IS HICCUPS?AND CAUSES
A hiccup is a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm muscle. When the muscle spasms, the vocal cords snap shut, producing the hiccup sound.
Hiccups are often rhythmic. They are usually just a temporary minor annoyance, but prolonged hiccups may signal a major medical problem.
What causes hiccups?
Most of the time, there is no obvious cause for hiccups. However, there are some common known causes of hiccups.
Some causes of hiccups include:
Eating too quickly and swallowing air along with foods.
Eating too much (fatty or spicy foods, in particular) or drinking too much (carbonated beverages or alcohol) can distend the stomach and irritate the diaphragm, which can cause hiccups.
Any disease or disorder that irritates the nerves that control the diaphragm (such as liver disease, pneumonia, or other lung disorders).
Abdominal surgery can also irritate the nerves that control the diaphragm, causing hiccups.
Strokes or brain tumors involving the brain stem, and some chronic medical disorders (such as renal failure) have also been reported to cause hiccups.
Some medications may also have hiccups as a side effect, for example:
medications for acid reflux.
Most benzodiazepines, including diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan)
levodopa, nicotine, and ondansetron (Zofran)
Noxious fumes can also trigger hiccups.
Read more...
Hiccups are often rhythmic. They are usually just a temporary minor annoyance, but prolonged hiccups may signal a major medical problem.
What causes hiccups?
Most of the time, there is no obvious cause for hiccups. However, there are some common known causes of hiccups.
Some causes of hiccups include:
Eating too quickly and swallowing air along with foods.
Eating too much (fatty or spicy foods, in particular) or drinking too much (carbonated beverages or alcohol) can distend the stomach and irritate the diaphragm, which can cause hiccups.
Any disease or disorder that irritates the nerves that control the diaphragm (such as liver disease, pneumonia, or other lung disorders).
Abdominal surgery can also irritate the nerves that control the diaphragm, causing hiccups.
Strokes or brain tumors involving the brain stem, and some chronic medical disorders (such as renal failure) have also been reported to cause hiccups.
Some medications may also have hiccups as a side effect, for example:
medications for acid reflux.
Most benzodiazepines, including diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan)
levodopa, nicotine, and ondansetron (Zofran)
Noxious fumes can also trigger hiccups.
Read more...
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