What Causes Hiccups? Top 10 Reasons Explained

Hiccups are a common, usually harmless, condition that can be both annoying and uncomfortable. They occur when the diaphragm, a muscle that plays a key role in breathing, involuntarily contracts. But what causes hiccups? Here are the top 10 reasons:

1.      Eating Too Quickly
Eating too fast can cause you to swallow air along with your food, leading to an irritated diaphragm. This is one of the most common explanations for what causes hiccups. The sudden intake of air can trigger the involuntary spasms that result in hiccups.

2.      Overeating
Consuming large meals, especially those that are heavy or spicy, can stretch the stomach and irritate the diaphragm. When the stomach expands, it can press against the diaphragm, leading to the contractions that cause hiccups.

3.      Drinking Carbonated Beverages
Carbonated drinks, like soda or sparkling water, can cause your stomach to expand due to the release of carbon dioxide gas. This expansion can irritate the diaphragm and is a frequent culprit when people wonder what causes hiccups after a fizzy drink.

4.      Sudden Temperature Changes
Drinking a hot beverage followed by a cold one, or vice versa, can cause a sudden change in your stomach's temperature, which can irritate the diaphragm and lead to hiccups.

5.      Emotional Stress or Excitement
Strong emotions, such as stress, excitement, or anxiety, can disrupt your breathing patterns. This disruption can irritate the diaphragm and is a lesser-known reason what causes hiccups during times of emotional upheaval.

6.      Spicy Foods
Spicy foods can irritate the lining of the esophagus and the diaphragm. Capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat in spicy foods, can cause the diaphragm to contract, leading to hiccups.

7.      Swallowing Air While Chewing Gum
Chewing gum can cause you to swallow air, which then gets trapped in your stomach. This air can irritate the diaphragm and trigger hiccups, especially if you're wondering what causes hiccups after a chewing session.

8.      Alcohol Consumption
Drinking alcohol can lead to hiccups by irritating both the stomach and the esophagus. Additionally, alcohol can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing acid to reflux and irritate the diaphragm.

9.      Nervous System Disorders
In some cases, persistent hiccups can be linked to disorders affecting the central nervous system, such as strokes or tumors. These conditions can impact the body's ability to regulate the diaphragm, explaining what causes hiccups in more serious health contexts.

10.  Irritation of the Vagus or Phrenic Nerves
The vagus and phrenic nerves control the diaphragm. Irritation to these nerves, whether from a hair touching the eardrum or a tumor pressing on the nerve, can cause the diaphragm to spasm and lead to hiccups. This is a rare but significant explanation for what causes hiccups.

Understanding what causes hiccups can help you avoid triggers and manage them effectively. While most hiccups are short-lived, persistent or chronic hiccups may require medical attention to rule out underlying conditions.

How to Stop or Prevent Hiccups

After understanding what causes hiccups, the next step is figuring out how to stop or prevent them. Here are some effective strategies:

1.      Hold Your Breath
Holding your breath increases the level of carbon dioxide in your blood, which may help stop the diaphragm's spasms. Take a deep breath, hold it for about 10-20 seconds, and then breathe out slowly.

2.      Drink Cold Water
Sipping on cold water can help soothe the diaphragm and stop hiccups. The cold temperature may help relax the diaphragm and stop the spasms.

3.      Swallow a Teaspoon of Sugar
A sudden intake of sugar can stimulate the vagus nerve, which helps control the diaphragm, and potentially stop hiccups.

4.      Breathe Into a Paper Bag
Breathing into a paper bag increases the carbon dioxide levels in your blood, which can help relax the diaphragm and stop hiccups. Make sure the bag is sealed around your mouth and nose to be effective.

5.      Gargle with Ice Water
Gargling with ice water can stimulate the vagus nerve, similar to swallowing sugar, and may help stop the diaphragm's spasms.

6.      Apply Gentle Pressure to Your Diaphragm
Leaning forward to compress your chest and applying gentle pressure to your diaphragm may help stop the spasms that cause hiccups.

7.      Swallow a Teaspoon of Vinegar
The sour taste of vinegar can interrupt the hiccup reflex by stimulating the nerves in your throat, which can help stop hiccups.

8.      Use the Valsalva Maneuver
This involves exhaling forcefully with your mouth closed and nostrils pinched shut. This maneuver increases pressure in the chest and can help reset the diaphragm.

9.      Eat a Spoonful of Peanut Butter
The sticky texture of peanut butter can disrupt the breathing pattern and reset the diaphragm, potentially stopping hiccups.

10.  Avoid Triggers
Knowing what causes hiccups can help you avoid potential triggers. Eat slowly, avoid overeating, steer clear of spicy foods, and reduce your intake of carbonated beverages.

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While these methods can be effective for stopping or preventing hiccups, persistent hiccups lasting more than 48 hours may require medical evaluation to rule out any underlying conditions​ (Baptist Health Miami)​ (NPHIC).