Hiccups, nosebleeds and the occasional twitch or shiver – they’re annoying, embarrassing, all too common and rarely serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctor.
Every now and then, they can indicate something serious, though. How can you tell the difference? Before you go to the doctor, what home remedies are safe to try?
For advice we consulted several experts on staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano.
What they are: Involuntary, intermittent, spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm, followed by a sudden closure of the epiglottis (the cartilage protecting the vocal c ords), which makes the hiccup sound. They have no known function, but they may occur in a fetus as early as the third trimester of pregnancy.
Types: Doctors define hiccups by how long they last. Transient hiccups last for up to 48 hours; persistent hiccups may last 48 hours to 30 days; intractable hiccups may last for more than two months.
Common causes: Anything that irritates the stomach and esophagus, including overeating or eating too quickly, carbonated beverages, sudden excitement, emotional stress, laughter, hot and spicy foods or liquids, and noxious fumes.
Rare causes: Head trauma, stroke, meningitis, electrolyte abnormalities, general anesthesia, gastric distention, acid reflux, laryngitis and pharyngitis. They also may be symptomatic of a serious condition involving the respiratory system, nervous system, metabolism or certain tumors and cancers.
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When should you call the doctor? When you have persistent or intractable hiccups, which can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, fatigue, dehydration and insomnia.
Home cures: Largely anecdotal, these cures usually involve altering your breathing patterns by breathing into a bag; holding your breath; drinking a glass of water; swallowing a teaspoon of sugar, peanut butter or vinegar; drinking from the opposite side of a glass; fright; and the Valsalva maneuver (closing your mouth, pinching your nose and forcibly exhaling).
Medical cures: Muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, antispasmodics, antipsychotics, gastrointestinal stimulants, antidepressants and massage of the carotid sinus in the neck.
What they are: Loss of blood from the tissue lining the nose.
Common cause: Dryness of the nose that leads to cracking of the mucous membranes. The dryness can be caused by temperature changes or low humidity. Air conditioning and heated environments also can dry the nose.
Additional causes: Aside from direct injury, colds, blowing the nose, allergies, sinusitis, upper respiratory infection, chemical irritants or overuse of decongestant nasal sprays. People on blood thinners such as aspirin also can be more prone to nosebleeds.
Less-common cause: Deviated septum. The septum is a vertical wall of cartilage and bone that separates the two sides of the nose. A deviation in the septum causes abnormal airflow through the nose.
When should you call the doctor? When you have severe blood loss, nasal obstruction, pain, a nosebleed that doesn’t stop after 20 minutes or if the nosebleed occurs after an injury to the head. Repeated nosebleeds may be a symptom of high blood pressure, a bleeding disorder or a tumor of the nose.
Home cures: Elevate your head, apply cold compresses or ice across the bridge of your nose and pinch the
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