How to get rid of hiccups during fasting is much sought after because it is quite annoying if it doesn’t disappear immediately. Hiccups often occur suddenly and can be short or long lasting.
When you have hiccups, often people will offer us a drink to relieve the symptoms, but this method cannot be done when we are fasting.
So, learn more about hiccups and how to get rid of hiccups during fasting in the following review!
What are hiccups?
Hiccups are medically known as synchronous flutter diaphragm or SDF. This condition occurs because the diaphragm suddenly contracts inadvertently and at the same time the vocal cords are closed thereby blocking airflow.
The exact cause of hiccups is still unclear, but chronic hiccups are linked to a variety of medical conditions, including stroke and digestive problems.
The appearance of hiccups can be caused by various factors, including a bad lifestyle, such as eating too much or fast, eating spicy food, consuming carbonated drinks frequently and drinking alcohol frequently.
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Causes of hiccups while fasting
In many cases a person can experience hiccups when eating too quickly. This can make you swallow air with food and end up with hiccups.
However, this is definitely not possible during fasting because there is no eating and drinking activity.
Here are some factors that might cause hiccups while fasting:
- Conditions when the diaphragm stretches or spasms suddenly. During a seizure, you take a sudden breath and your vocal cords close, which makes that characteristic sound. Hiccups are sometimes thought of as a reflex to protect a person from choking.
- Damage to the vagus or phrenic nerves can cause long-lasting hiccups.
- Strokes or brain tumors involving the brainstem, and some chronic medical disorders (such as kidney failure) have been reported to cause hiccups. Trauma to the brain, meningitis, and encephalitis can also cause hiccups.
- Problems with the liver, including swelling, infection, or masses can irritate the diaphragm, which can cause hiccups.
- Inhaling noxious fumes can also trigger hiccup symptoms.
- Anxiety and stress can cause short-term and long-term hiccups.
- Sudden temperature change.
Read also: Can be a sign of disease, identify the following causes of hiccups
Symptoms of hiccups
Hiccups can be described as brief spasms that can cause irritation of the diaphragm that can last for seconds or minutes.
Hiccups rarely last a long time in normal individuals without an underlying medical problem.
Tips on how to get rid of hiccups while fasting
The usual way to stop hiccups is to drink warm water. Warm water is believed to be able to help improve blood circulation and oxygen in the body.
Hiccups can disappear if you immediately consume warm water slowly and hold your breath in a bent body position.
Well, how to get rid of hiccups when fasting by consuming warm water certainly can’t be done. This is because fasting requires you to endure hunger and thirst from sunrise to sunset.
Then, how to get rid of hiccups when fasting? Here are some tips on how to get rid of hiccups during fasting that you can try!
1. Regulate breathing
The first way to get rid of hiccups during fasting is to regulate your breathing. When fasting, you can use breathing control techniques if you have hiccups.
Prolonged hiccups can disappear by adjusting breathing properly. Breathing regularly can help oxygen and carbon dioxide enter alternately with the right levels.
The way to regulate proper breathing is to inhale for a count of five and exhale for a count of five as well. Repeat this breathing technique until the hiccups completely disappear.
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2. How to get rid of hiccups during fasting by holding your breath
Prolonged hiccups will make you feel uncomfortable, right? Well, apart from controlling your breath, an easy way to deal with prolonged hiccups is to hold your breath.
This technique, which is often used by most people, is believed to be able to increase the level of carbon dioxide in the body.
This one technique can be practiced by taking large amounts of air. After that, hold your breath for 10 to 20 seconds and then release it. Repeat this method as needed until the hiccups stop.
3. Breathe with a paper bag
How to get rid of hiccups during the next fast, you can try breathing with a paper bag. Bag breathing serves the same purpose as holding your breath.
This method can help you increase the level of carbon dioxide in the body. This is because, if you breathe using a bag, the carbon dioxide that is released is actually inhaled again.
How to get rid of hiccups with a very easy technique, which is enough to breathe as usual but use a paper bag.
Breathe slowly, inflating and deflating the paper bag regularly. However, remember not to use plastic bags!
4. How to get rid of hiccups during fasting by folding both knees
Another technique for dealing with hiccups during fasting without consuming food or drink is to fold your knees. Hiccups that interfere with daily activities are holding your breath while bending your knees.
This method is believed to be able to overcome hiccups quickly and not relapse. Simply find a comfortable seat and bend your knees in front of your chest. Hold this position for two minutes while controlling your breathing. Repeat this method until the hiccups are completely gone.
5. Carotid artery massage
The fifth way to get rid of hiccups during fasting is to massage the carotid artery area. Massage carotid artery can also be an effective way to deal with hiccups during fasting.
Note that you have two carotid arteries which you will usually feel when checking your pulse. Gently massaging the carotid arteries can help get rid of persistent hiccups.
The method is quite easy, namely by tilting your head to the left and massaging the artery on the right side in a circular motion. Do this technique for 5 to 10 seconds until the hiccups disappear.
6. Pressure point
The way to deal with hiccups during the next fast is to apply pressure at several points or pressure points.
The trick is to do:
- Pull the tongue, hold the tip of the tongue in the fingers and pull. This stimulates the vagus nerve and relieves diaphragm spasms, which can sometimes stop hiccups. This often doesn’t work.
- Press the diaphragm gently.
- Apply gentle pressure on each side of the nose while swallowing.
Also Read: Baby Hiccups in the Womb, Dangerous or Not?
When to see a doctor?
Hiccups are rarely a cause for concern because they are not a dangerous medical condition. However, if you experience hiccups accompanied by the following symptoms, you should immediately contact your doctor:
- Hiccups become frequent, chronic, and persistent (lasting more than 3 hours)
- Starting to affect sleep patterns
- Interfering with eating
- Causes reflux of food or vomiting
- Occurs with severe abdominal pain
- Fever
- Hard to breathe
- Spit blood
- Feel the throat will be closed
In healthy people, hiccups usually go away on their own without serious side effects.
However, if the hiccups persist, they can cause embarrassment and social stress, and if they are prolonged they can cause speech, eating, and sleep disturbances.
How to get rid of hiccups during fasting with medical procedures
When hiccups become severe, several medical methods can be used to treat hiccups. Treatment for getting rid of hiccups depends on how bad they are.
For common hiccups that usually stop on their own, home remedies like the 5 tips above are generally enough to cure the symptoms.
However, for those who are severe, they need medical assistance, including:
- For severe, persistent hiccups (usually lasting up to 2 days), your doctor may try over-the-counter hiccups medications such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), baclofen (Lioresal).
- Anesthesia to block the phrenic nerve and surgical implantation of an electronic stimulator into the vagus nerve are also effective. Surgery to disable the phrenic nerve (the nerve that controls the diaphragm) is often a last resort.
Watch out for chronic hiccups!
Hiccups can be dangerous too you know. Men are more likely to experience long-term hiccups than women.
Other factors that can increase the risk of hiccups include:
- Mental or emotional problems. Anxiety, stress, and excitement have been linked to some cases of short-term and long-term hiccups.
- Operation. Some people experience hiccups after undergoing general anesthesia or after procedures involving the abdominal organs.
Also Read: Don’t Ignore It, This Is the Danger Behind Constant Hiccups!
Complications due to prolonged hiccups
Whether fasting or not, if the hiccups don’t go away, they can cause other problems.
Here are some complications that may occur due to prolonged hiccups:
- Weight loss and dehydration. If your hiccups are prolonged and occur at short intervals, it can be difficult to eat properly.
- Insomnia. If persistent hiccups persist during sleeping hours, it may be difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.
- Fatigue. Prolonged hiccups can be tiring, especially if they make it hard to sleep or eat.
- Communication problem. It may be difficult for the person to speak.
- Depression. Long-term hiccups can increase the risk of developing clinical depression.
- Delayed wound healing. Persistent hiccups can make it difficult to heal after surgery, increasing the risk of infection or bleeding after surgery.
How to prevent hiccups
Hiccups that often occur are usually triggered by certain factors. Therefore, avoiding trigger factors can reduce the risk of ongoing hiccups. The main thing that needs to be done is to change your lifestyle to be healthier.
Hiccups can be avoided by changing behavior and habits. Some things you can try include eating slowly, avoiding spicy foods, not consuming alcohol, and avoiding stress-causing factors.
If you have chronic hiccups, lifestyle changes can help. Avoid carbonated drinks and gas-producing foods, and eat small portions.
So, to avoid discomfort due to hiccups, take the right precautions. If hiccups persist, chances are you have another health problem. For that, immediately contact the doctor for further treatment, okay!
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