Are Hiccups A Sign Of Acid Reflux?

Hiccups are something all of us experience not on a daily basis, but quite frequently. It could go on for a few seconds to several minutes. It is not necessarily harmless. But in few people hiccups can be bothersome as they constantly experience hiccups that might be interrupting their daily life. Have you ever wondered why you frequent hiccups when eating? Is there a specific link to it? We will help you break down. 

What are hiccups?

A hiccup is a repeated, reflex action in breathing that doesn’t serve any useful purpose. It happens when the diaphragm, a muscle that helps us breathe, suddenly and involuntarily tightens, pulling in a quick breath. Right after, the glottis (the area of the throat where the vocal cords are) closes, stopping the breath in its tracks. This sudden stop makes the breath hit the closed glottis, creating the familiar “hic” sound. People have been calling this action a “hiccup” for about 500 years. 

What can activate hiccups?

Hiccups don’t have a single cause and can vary from person to person and from one instance to another. Often, they result from irritation to the nerves along the breathing pathway. Common triggers include overeating, sudden temperature changes, excitement, alcohol consumption, and bloating. 

For persistent or chronic hiccups, potential causes can include physical trauma, infections, certain medications, or issues with the central nervous system. Spicy foods or digestive conditions like gastritis, heartburn, ulcers, and pancreatitis can also sometimes set off hiccups.

What makes you hiccup?

We understand what causes hiccups and some common triggers, but do they actually serve a purpose? Hiccups frequently happen in fetuses, leading to the idea that they might help a fetus practice using its breathing muscles before birth, when breathing becomes essential. Once we’re born, though, hiccups don’t seem to have any clear function. Another hypothesis is that hiccups may be an unnecessary vestige of an early evolutionary reflex. Despite these ideas, the true purpose of hiccups remains unknown.

What is acid reflux?

Our stomachs have acid that helps break down food. When this acid flows back up into the esophagus and throat, it’s known as acid reflux (or gastroesophageal reflux). If you experience acid reflux, you might notice symptoms such as:

• Heartburn 
• Chest pain
• Complications in mouth, lungs, throat
• Nausea 
• Acid reflux
• Tasting stomach acid 

You need to seek acid reflux treatment in Coimbatore if you are experiencing these symptoms as it can provide relief and help you enjoy your favorite foods.

Why does acid reflux trigger hiccups?

In at least one past study on chronic hiccups, researchers identified reflux esophagitis as a major cause of hiccups.

Stopping the acid reflux and hiccups cycle can be difficult. Hiccups can disrupt the normal movement of the esophagus, making it easier for food and stomach acid to flow back up, leading to acid reflux. This acid reflux then irritates the esophagus, triggering more hiccups. Certain foods can make this cycle worse. Caffeine, for example, can weaken the esophageal sphincter, allowing acid to rise into the esophagus. This can cause hiccups and coughing, as well as irritation of the throat.

When should you worry about acid reflux related hiccups?

If your hiccups are caused by acid reflux, they may be uncomfortable and frustrating, but they’re often treatable. Talk to your doctor about managing acid reflux to help stop the hiccups, too.

There’s also a chance that hiccups could indicate something more serious. Although rare, frequent hiccups can sometimes be a sign of a major health issue, such as cancer, heart attack, severe metabolic imbalances, reactions to certain medications, serious nervous system infections, or even strokes.

If your hiccups last more than a few days or come with other symptoms like chest pain, it’s important to see a doctor right away to check for any serious underlying causes.

What can you do to help someone with hiccups?

Consult the patient’s physician or nurse and heed their advice if you think there might be a hidden reason for the frequent hiccups. If there’s no clear cause, you can help the person figure out if certain things, like overeating or drinking alcohol, seem to trigger the hiccups. Depending on their preferences, they may want to avoid these triggers.

There are a few practical methods you can try to stop a hiccup episode, especially if it’s started in the last 48 hours. While there’s limited evidence to prove they work, many people find these techniques helpful. Since different methods work for different people, it’s worth trying a few to see if any help:

• Breathing into a paper bag
• A sudden fright 
• Holding on breath
• Drinking water 
• Drinking water by closing your nose 
• Swallowing crushed ice 

When should you seek help for hiccups?

See the person’s general practitioner or specialist if the frequent hiccups persist for more than 48 hours or if you have concerns about their cause or effects. They can assist in locating and addressing any underlying problems.

If no cause is identified, they might be given peppermint water, anti-nausea medication to help reduce stomach acid reflux. Treatments should be re-evaluated after three days. If there’s no improvement, a specialist in palliative care can assess the situation and prescribe other medications and find the best cure for hiccups.

When are the hiccups symptoms considered serious?

So, how can you tell the difference between common issues like heartburn, indigestion, hiccups, and swallowing problems, and more serious conditions like esophageal or stomach cancer?

The first step is to carefully assess your symptoms before seeking medical advice. For indigestion and heartburn, you may experience the following:

• Feeling bloated and sick
• Feeling sick 
• Having bitter tasting fluid in your mouth 
• Passing gas 
• Heartburn immediately after eating 
• Food that comes up to your mouth after eating 

However, if you experience symptoms like stomach pain or back pain, these should be investigated, as they are not typical signs of indigestion or heartburn. While you may just be constipated, it’s important to have these symptoms checked out.

If you’re dealing with dysphagia, or if your hiccups last longer than 48 hours and are accompanied by any of the previous symptoms, it’s important to consult a doctor. More serious conditions can be ruled out with the aid of early evaluation. Your general practitioner can evaluate your symptoms and, if required, recommend additional testing.

What to do if you experience acid reflux related hiccups?

Hiccups that cause fatigue and discomfort usually don’t pose serious health risks. However, if the hiccups are caused by poorly controlled gastric reflux, it can lead to serious complications, such as peptic ulcers, esophageal narrowing, Barrett’s esophagus, and even esophageal cancer. Proper treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is crucial, as managing the condition effectively can help reduce hiccups and other related symptoms.

Treating GERD involves a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. The treatment process is usually lengthy, and for it to be effective, it’s essential for the patient to closely follow their doctor’s instructions.

The changes in lifestyle can include:

Avoid foods and drinks like coffee, chocolate, lemonade, carbonated drinks, vinegar, and tomatoes. Try not to eat for at least two hours before bed, and sleep with your head elevated. Eat smaller meals and avoid overeating. After eating, don’t engage in work, exercise, or bend forward. Quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid wearing tight clothing.

What are the ways to manage acid reflux related hiccups effectively?

When people with gastroesophageal reflux experience hiccups, there are several methods they can try to stop the discomfort and fatigue caused by prolonged hiccups along with seeking acid reflux relief:

• Drink small sips of water: 

A traditional remedy, sipping water slowly can interrupt the diaphragm’s contractions, helping to stop hiccups quickly.

• Breathing exercises: 

Take a deep breath, hold it for about 15 seconds, then gently exhale. This can prevent the hiccups by relaxing the diaphragm.

• Cover your ears: 

Place your index fingers in your ears for about three minutes, then sip cold water. The cold water and this pressure change can help prevent the diaphragm from spasming.

• Smelling pepper powder: 

The sensation of sneezing can help stop diaphragm spasms and disrupt the hiccup cycle.

• Distraction techniques: 

Focusing on something complex or engaging, like solving a math problem or watching a game, can also help reduce hiccups.

Important Takeaway:

When you visit your doctor, it’s important to talk about your overall health, diet, and any other factors that might be contributing to your hiccups. In most cases, hiccups are temporary and tend to go away on their own. However, if your hiccups are linked to acid reflux, it may be time to explore a treatment plan to reduce hiccups. Consult the best gastro hospital in Coimbatore if you are experiencing hiccups and acid reflux.