Hiccough
What are hiccups?
Have you ever wondered what is happening when you hiccup? There are two parts to a hiccup. The first is an involuntary movement of your diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle at the base of your lungs. It is the main muscle used for breathing. The second part of a hiccup is a quick closing of your vocal cords. This is what causes the "hic" sound you make.
What causes hiccups?Hiccups can start and stop for no obvious reason. But they often happen when something irritates your diaphragm, such as:
- Eating too quickly
- Eating too much
- Eating hot or spicy foods
- Drinking alcohol
- Drinking carbonated drinks
- Diseases that irritate the nerves that control the diaphragm
- Feeling nervous or excited
- A bloated stomach
- Certain medicines
- Abdominal surgery
- Metabolic disorders
- Central nervous system disorders
Hiccups usually go away on their own after a few minutes. You have probably heard different suggestions about how to cure hiccups. There is no proof that they work, but they are not harmful, so you could try them. They include:
- Breathing into a paper bag
- Drinking or sipping a glass of cold water
- Holding your breath
- Gargling with ice water
Some people have chronic hiccups. This means that the hiccups last more than a few days or keep coming back. Chronic hiccups can interfere with your sleep, eating, drinking, and talking. If you have chronic hiccups, contact your health care provider. If you have a condition that is causing the hiccups, treating that condition may help. Otherwise, treatment options include medicines, surgery, and other procedures.
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Felter's Materia Medica on Hiccough
CAFFEA
The seeds of Caffea arabica, Linné (Nat. Ord. Rubiaceae). Native of Arabia-Felix and Ethiopia; and extensively cultivated in Asia and America... / ... headache when the face is pale. Strong coffee sometimes cuts short an attack of asthma, and checks hiccough. It is the most refreshing stimulant that can be used in the exhaustion of low fevers of a ... / ...preferably without sugar or cream; for use in narcotic poisoning very strong, black coffee may be given freely, both by mouth and per rectum.1
The seeds of Caffea arabica, Linné (Nat. Ord. Rubiaceae). Native of Arabia-Felix and Ethiopia; and extensively cultivated in Asia and America... / ... headache when the face is pale. Strong coffee sometimes cuts short an attack of asthma, and checks hiccough. It is the most refreshing stimulant that can be used in the exhaustion of low fevers of a ... / ...preferably without sugar or cream; for use in narcotic poisoning very strong, black coffee may be given freely, both by mouth and per rectum.1
CAMPHORA
A stearopten (having the nature of a ketone) derived from Cinnamomum Camphora. (Linné), Nees et Ebermeier (Nat. Ord. Lauraceae). China and... / ...ive as a nerve sedative, antispasmodic, and carminative in nervous nausea and vomiting, flatulence, hiccough, and tendency to spasms or fainting. It is especially serviceable in palpitation of the hea...1
A stearopten (having the nature of a ketone) derived from Cinnamomum Camphora. (Linné), Nees et Ebermeier (Nat. Ord. Lauraceae). China and... / ...ive as a nerve sedative, antispasmodic, and carminative in nervous nausea and vomiting, flatulence, hiccough, and tendency to spasms or fainting. It is especially serviceable in palpitation of the hea...1
LIMON
The juice and outer rind of the fresh ripe fruit of Citrus medica Limonum (Risso), Hooker filius (Nat. Ord. Rutaceae). Northern India, and... / ... the juice for long voyages, see above (Preparations). Diluted lemon juice may be used in obstinate hiccough, hepatic torpor and acute jaundice when the tongue is red and the urine alkaline. Under lik... / ...of large quantities of acidulated fluid. It also sometimes relieves sick headache, and a hot lemonade is a popular remedy to break up a cold.1
The juice and outer rind of the fresh ripe fruit of Citrus medica Limonum (Risso), Hooker filius (Nat. Ord. Rutaceae). Northern India, and... / ... the juice for long voyages, see above (Preparations). Diluted lemon juice may be used in obstinate hiccough, hepatic torpor and acute jaundice when the tongue is red and the urine alkaline. Under lik... / ...of large quantities of acidulated fluid. It also sometimes relieves sick headache, and a hot lemonade is a popular remedy to break up a cold.1
MENTHOL
Menthol. A secondary alcohol obtained from the oil of Mentha piperita, Linné, or from other oils of mints. It should be kept in well-stoppered... / ...f menthol relieve nausea and vomiting, as of pregnancy and seasickness. It is sometimes of value in hiccough. It should not be used in large doses internally because of the profound nervous disturbanc...1
Menthol. A secondary alcohol obtained from the oil of Mentha piperita, Linné, or from other oils of mints. It should be kept in well-stoppered... / ...f menthol relieve nausea and vomiting, as of pregnancy and seasickness. It is sometimes of value in hiccough. It should not be used in large doses internally because of the profound nervous disturbanc...1
OLEUM CAJUPUTI
Oil of Cajuput, Oil of Cajeput. A volatile oil distilled from the leaves and twigs of several varieties of Melaleuca Leucadendron, Linné (and... / ...a stimulating carminative to relieve intestinal pain, spasmodic colic, and cramps, and to alleviate hiccough, nervous vomiting, and congestive dysmenorrhea. It is also a good stimulant in the cough of... / ...except in severe cases when the conjoint use of morphine is necessary.1
Oil of Cajuput, Oil of Cajeput. A volatile oil distilled from the leaves and twigs of several varieties of Melaleuca Leucadendron, Linné (and... / ...a stimulating carminative to relieve intestinal pain, spasmodic colic, and cramps, and to alleviate hiccough, nervous vomiting, and congestive dysmenorrhea. It is also a good stimulant in the cough of... / ...except in severe cases when the conjoint use of morphine is necessary.1
VIBURNUM PRUNIFOLIUMVIPR2
The dried bark of the root of Viburnum prunifolium, Linné. The U.S.P. admits the dried bark of this and also of the Viburnum Lentago, Linné, or... / ...down pelvic pain; painful contraction of the pelvic tissues; false pains and after-pains; obstinate hiccough. Action and Therapy.Black haw is a remedy of Eclectic development and is praised by pract...1
The dried bark of the root of Viburnum prunifolium, Linné. The U.S.P. admits the dried bark of this and also of the Viburnum Lentago, Linné, or... / ...down pelvic pain; painful contraction of the pelvic tissues; false pains and after-pains; obstinate hiccough. Action and Therapy.Black haw is a remedy of Eclectic development and is praised by pract...1
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Physician's Materia Medica on Hiccough
MUSK
The dried secretion from the preputial follicles of MOSCEUS MoscmrEnUs, Lin. Antispasmodic. analeptic, stimulant. An effcient remedy where others fail in persistent hiccough. Dose, 0.12 to 1.0 Grm. (2 to 15 grs.).2
The dried secretion from the preputial follicles of MOSCEUS MoscmrEnUs, Lin. Antispasmodic. analeptic, stimulant. An effcient remedy where others fail in persistent hiccough. Dose, 0.12 to 1.0 Grm. (2 to 15 grs.).2
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Hiccough
HICCOUGH
When connected with faulty digestion, direct treatment to cause. Remedies in mild cases are tincture capsicum, Hoffmanrfis Anodyne, spirit chloroform, valerianates, spirit camphor; in severe cases, musk (10 grain doses, best given per rectum), amyl nitrite, enema of sodium bromide and deodorized tincture opium.2
When connected with faulty digestion, direct treatment to cause. Remedies in mild cases are tincture capsicum, Hoffmanrfis Anodyne, spirit chloroform, valerianates, spirit camphor; in severe cases, musk (10 grain doses, best given per rectum), amyl nitrite, enema of sodium bromide and deodorized tincture opium.2
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.