Hiccups: finally a trick to eliminate it

Hiccups can be bothersome and even a little painful. Tricks are known to remedy this. However, they are not always effective. Researchers have invented a ” remedy To stop the hiccups. What does it consist on ?

There are many tricks that can be used to try to get over the hiccups. Often unsuccessful, the person continues to make ” hiccups In succession until finally the hiccups stopped almost unconsciously. Often mild, hiccups are caused by an involuntary, spasmodic (abrupt) and coordinated contraction of all the inspiratory muscles, which include the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. It is also linked to the closure of the glottis, that part of the larynx that is located between the vocal cords. This respiratory reflex, which is uncontrollable, is frequent and generally not serious. However, it can be bothersome and tiring for people who suffer from it regularly. Its causes are multiple, because it can just as easily occur after eating too quickly as after a strong emotion or irritation of the esophagus. The infant often suffers from hiccups after taking milk (from the breast or from a bottle) because he swallows air at the same time. Hiccups can decrease an adult’s quality of life when they suffer from it over the long term. In this case, we speak of chronic hiccups, which may be associated with another disease (gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis, neurological pathology) or with the taking of certain medications. It can then disrupt sleep and / or eating.

It was Ali Seifi, an anesthetist, who had the idea of ​​inventing a tool to stop hiccups. He set up a system using a simple straw to help the user operate the mechanisms involved in the occurrence of hiccups. The person who has hiccups should immerse the straw in a liquid, which has a valve, which has the role of resisting the suction. Therefore, the patient has to suck harder, thus allowing the diaphragm to contract. This is the best combination to stop hiccups. During the study, the results of which appeared in the journal JAMA, scientists recruited 249 volunteers. Among them, 69% suffered from hiccups at least once a month, for less than two hours. For 92% of people, the hiccups were stopped thanks to the medical straw. The majority of participants found it easy to use. Randomized clinical trials are planned to evaluate the effectiveness of this new remedy against hiccups.