Hiccups are harmless, but when should you see a doctor?
We are all familiar with hiccups. It's a fairly common phenomenon that comes and goes, but sometimes it stays and we don't know what to do.
Before delving into solutions, let's briefly understand what hiccups are. Scientifically, a hiccup is when our diaphragm muscles contract. The muscle is situated right above our abdomen, separating it from our chest. So, if we consume food too quickly, or gulp down fizzy beverages faster than usual, hiccups will come and say hi. Sometimes, consuming large amounts of food may cause hiccups, too. And if pop culture provides any reference to reality, lying can cause hiccups too!
Jokes apart, hiccups are seldom a sign of something serious, and last only for a few minutes. But on some rare occasions, they last much longer and can offer indications of nerve damage or complications regarding the central nervous system. A good threshold will be to wait for 2 days -- if the hiccup persists, check with your doctor.
Otherwise, there are millions of home remedies: holding breath and standing still for 10 seconds, drinking water in between hiccups, biting on a lemon, even the occasional jumpscare in some cases. But if your hiccups get worse, disrupt your sleep, speech, and general comfort, it is imperative you seek a doctor's advice.
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