Hiccups
- Hiccups Overview
- Hiccups Causes
- Hiccups Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Hiccups Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
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- Synonyms and Keywords
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Hiccups Overview
Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle. As the muscle contracts repeatedly, the opening between your vocal cords snaps shut to check the inflow of air and makes the hiccup sound. Irritation of the nerves that extend from the neck to the chest can cause hiccups.
Although associated with a variety of ailments (some can be serious such as pneumonia or when harmful substances build up in the blood for example from kidney failure), hiccups are not serious and have no clear reason for occurring.
Next: Hiccups Causes »
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Hiccups
Hiatal Hernia Overview
Hiatal hernia is a condition in which the upper portion of the stomach protrudes into the chest cavity through an opening of the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. This opening usually is large enough to accommodate the esophagus alone. With weakening and enlargement however, the opening (or herniation) can allow upward passage or even entrapment of the upper stomach above the diaphragm.
- Hiatal hernia is a common condition. By age 60, up to 60% of people have it to some degree.
- There are 2 types of hiatal hernia.
- The sliding type, as its name implies, occurs when the junction between the stomach and esophagus slides up through the esophageal hiatus during moments of increased pressure in the abdominal cavity. When the pressure is relieved, the stomach falls back down with gravity to its normal position.
- The fixed type (or paraesophageal) impli...
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Hiccups »
The term "hiccup" derives from the sound of the event. "Hiccough" erroneously implies an association with respiratory reflexes.
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