Author: MJT
Is there a Link between Hiccups and Heartburn?
A number of health care professionals and researchers have
searched for a link between hiccups and heartburn. While there may be some
evidence to support the fact that hiccups cause heartburn or vice versa, it is
difficult to find documented research that shows a clear link between the two.
It does seem that the most likely time for hiccups to lead to heartburn is in
the case of persistent and intractable hiccups, where the condition can last
for hours, days or even years in some people. In these instances, there does
seem to be a link between hiccups and heartburn, particularly with those that
are suffering from a chronic heartburn condition known as gastroesophageal
reflux disease, or GERD.
What are Hiccups?
Hiccups can be defined as an involuntary spasm of the
diaphragm. These spasms generally occur on one side of the diaphragm at a time,
and in most cases, the left side is the one that is affected. Hiccups can
affect everyone at any time, even the babies that are still in the uterus. In
fact, babies that are still in the womb can spend up to 2.5% of their time
hiccupping. Most people will hiccup anywhere from four to sixty times a minute,
and anything within this range is considered normal. Hiccups can precede
heartburn, and they can also follow the condition, leading scientists and
doctors on a difficult journey to determine the exact link between hiccups and
heartburn.
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn is the feeling of warmth or burning that you can
get in your chest area after eating a meal. This warmth can move up into your
throat, leaving a sour taste in your mouth, which is why heartburn is sometimes
referred to as a sour stomach. The cause of heartburn is a valve at the base of
your esophagus that sometimes doesn’t close properly. The result is that
stomach acids can back up into your esophagus and throat, causing the symptoms
previously mentioned. If hiccups and heartburn coincide, the spasms of hiccups
can force more of that burning and sour taste to back up into your throat.
If you suspect that your hiccups and heartburn are indeed
related, there are some steps that you can take to alleviate each problem. For
the hiccups, you can try holding your breath or drinking a glass of water to
make them go away. If neither of these methods do the trick, most folks are a
wealth of information on how to get rid of hiccups. It is possible that one of
the tried and true methods that someone else swears by may be the miracle cure
for you as well. This condition is
rarely serious, and almost never requires a trip to the doctor for a cure.
Heartburn can be alleviated by eating smaller meals,
avoiding bed for a period of time after eating, and elevating your head and
chest while you sleep. This is also a condition that does not always require
professional intervention. However, if you are having chronic difficulties with
either hiccups or heartburn, it is a good idea to make an appointment with your
doctor.
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