more than 2 days of continuous hiccups can be very dangerous

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Hiccups? Why does it happen?

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Hiccups is a reflex consisting of a sudden spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm causing shaking of the inspiratory muscles of the chest and abdomen, followed by the sudden closure of the glottis, which generates a characteristic noise of air being violently expelled from the lungs. The hiccup reflex consists of the afferent limb (phrenic nerve, vagus nerve, or thoracic sympathetic fibres), the central connection (not involving a specific centre), and the efferent limb (primarily the phrenic nerve

Depending on their duration, hiccups are classified as transient hiccups (episodes lasting seconds or minutes), persistent hiccups (longer than 48 hours), and recurrent hiccups (episodes of hiccups more lasting than transient and often with frequent repetition). In most bouts of transient hiccups the aetiology is unknown. In the case of persistent hiccups the most frequent causes are gastro-oesophageal diseases.

This article describes an unusual cause of persistent hiccups and considers some of the remedies that can be used for the condition.

Hiccups are a sign of some illnesses for which continuing hiccups may be a symptom include : pleurisy of the diaphragm, pneumonia, uremia, alcoholism, disorders of the stomach or esophagus, and bowel diseases. Hiccups may also be associated with pancreatitis, pregnancy bladder irritation, liver cancer or hepatitis.

 Causes :

The most common triggers for hiccups that last less than 48 hours include:

Drinking carbonated beverages

Drinking too much alcohol

Eating too much

Excitement or emotional stress

Sudden temperature changes

Swallowing air with chewing gum or sucking on candy

Hiccups that last more than 48 hours may be caused by a variety of factors, which can be grouped into the following categories.

Nerve damage or irritation

A cause of long-term hiccups is damage to or irritation of the vagus nerves or phrenic nerves, which serve the diaphragm muscle. Factors that may cause damage or irritation to these nerves include:

A hair or something else in your ear touching your eardrum

A tumor, cyst or goiter in your neck

Gastroesophageal reflux

Sore throat or laryngitis

Central nervous system disorders

A tumor or infection in your central nervous system or damage to your central nervous system as a result of trauma can disrupt your body's normal control of the hiccup reflex. Examples include:

1. Encephalitis
2. Meningitis
3. Multiple sclerosis
4. Stroke
5. Traumatic brain injury
6. Tumors

Metabolic disorders and drugs

Long-term hiccups can be triggered by:

1. Alcoholism
2. Anesthesia
3. Barbiturates
4. Diabetes
5. Electrolyte imbalance
6. Kidney disease
7. Steroids
8. Tranquilizers

Risk factors :

Men are much more likely to develop long-term hiccups than are women. Other factors that may increase your risk of hiccups include:

Mental or emotional issues. Anxiety, stress and excitement have been associated with some cases of short-term and long-term hiccups.

Surgery. Some people develop hiccups after undergoing general anesthesia or after procedures that involve abdominal organs.

Complications

Prolonged hiccups may interfere with:

1. Eating
2. Sleeping
3. Speech
4. Wound healing after surgery

For most people, hiccups usually last a few minutes and are not a medical concern. However, if your hiccups last longer than two days, they’re considered chronic. They’re also referred to as persistent if they last over two days, but end within one month.

If you have multiple recurring episodes of hiccups over prolonged periods of time, this is also considered chronic hiccups.

Chronic hiccups can last for years in some people and are usually a sign of a medical issue. They can also cause health issues themselves.

You may experience exhaustion when they keep you awake most nights. Chronic hiccups can also lead to severe weight loss because they can affect your appetite or desire to eat.

Chronic hiccups are very rare, but they tend to happen more often in men than in women. Other people who may have a higher risk of getting chronic hiccups include those who:

1. have recently undergone general anesthesia
2. experience anxiety or other mental health issues
3. have had surgery in the area of the abdomen
4. have illnesses of the liver, bowel, stomach, or diaphragm
5. are pregnant
6. have cancer
7. drink alcohol excessively
8. have a nervous system disord.

How Do I Get Rid of the Hiccups?

1. Hold your breath and swallow three times / The Diaphragm Technique 
2. Breathe into a paper bag.
3. Drink a glass of water quickly.
4. Swallow a teaspoon of sugar.
5. Pull on your tongue.
6. Gargle with water.

As there are many I will show some genuine tricks tried and proved by science and many people

*Hold your breath and swallow 3 times :

"The Diaphragm Technique"

Inhale a deep breath and hold it. After you have done that, close your mouth and plug your ears (could be with your hands). Now, move your diaphragm up and down while it moves when you are breathing in and out rapidly. You can exhale when your hiccups disappear or when you cannot go ahead. If you still have the diaphragm spasms on, try again.

drinking warm water as a cure, as many people  claim it actually works on the spasming diaphragm muscles that cause hiccups : The hiccups will resolve in less than a minute (usually about 15 seconds).

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Thanks for reading