Uncle Li recently encountered an embarrassing little problem - hiccups. While playing chess with his old friends in the park, he suddenly "hiccuped" non-stop, attracting concerned glances from everyone around him. Uncle Li thought to himself: "This little problem, it will be fine for a while when you are young, why are you so stubborn now?""In fact, many elderly people have encountered similar problems. So, what's the hell going on with hiccups?What should I do if the elderly have more than enough hiccups?Today we will talk about this topic and recommend 10 practical ways to stop hiccups.
Oral Defense 1. What's the deal with hiccups?Hiccups, medically known as "hiccups," are caused by the involuntary contraction (spasm) of the diaphragm (between the chest and abdomen), causing air to be quickly drawn into the lungs and the vocal cords to suddenly narrow, producing a characteristic "hiccups" sound. Occasional hiccups are normal and are usually associated with eating too quickly, being too full, drinking carbonated beverages or alcohol, etc. However, for older people, hiccups may be more frequent and stubborn due to a decline in physical functioning.
2. Reasons why the elderly have non-stop hiccups
Digestive system dysfunction: the elderly have reduced secretion of digestive juices and slow down gastrointestinal peristalsis, which can easily lead to food staying in the stomach for too long, producing gas and causing hiccups.
Chronic disease effects: Gastric diseases such as chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, and cerebrovascular diseases may affect the normal function of the diaphragm, resulting in non-stop hiccups.
Medications*** Some drugs, such as glucocorticoids and sedatives, may affect nerve conduction in the diaphragm and induce hiccups.
Mental and psychological factors: Emotional problems such as anxiety and depression may also cause hiccups in older adults.
3. 10 recommended anti-hiccup methods
Deep breathing: When hiccups occur, try taking a few deep breaths. Take a deep breath, then hold it for a few seconds, then exhale slowly. Repeating this several times can help relieve diaphragm spasms.
Drinking water bending method: Drink a few sips of warm water, swallow slowly, and do bending over 90 degrees 10 15 times. Helps warm the diaphragm and relieves spasms.
Tongue stretching: When the hiccups don't stop, put a piece of clean gauze on the tongue and pinch the tongue with your fingers to stretch outward. At this time, you will feel the gas rise in your abdomen, and the hiccups will disappear naturally.
Breath-holding method: Hold your breath directly for 30-45 seconds, or take a clean chopstick and put it in your mouth, gently stimulate the back of the palate 1 3 places, and the hiccup symptoms will stop immediately. Note that people with poor cardiopulmonary function should use this method with caution.
Scare method: Slap the burp on the back while you are not paying attention to it, and you can also stop the hiccups. Because startle is a strong emotional stimulus, it can be transmitted through the cortex to the subcutaneous center to inhibit diaphragm spasm. However, people with high blood pressure and heart disease should use with caution. This method should also be used with caution to avoid unnecessary inconvenience caused by excessive startling.
Paper bag exhalation: Use a small plastic bag, cover your mouth and nose, and take 3 to 5 deep breaths. Repeated inhalation with exhaled carbon dioxide increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood and suppresses hiccups.
Acupressure method: Use your fingers to press the Neiguan acupoint (located at 6 7 cm on the inside of the wrist) or Zusanli acupoint (located 3 inches below the outer knee and 1 horizontal finger on the outside of the tibia), and there should be a feeling of soreness when pressing and last for about 1 minute. May help relieve symptoms of hiccups.
Massage method: Take a thin stick (such as chopsticks or cotton swab), wrap one end with cotton (such as a cotton ball), put it into the patient's mouth, and use its soft end to massage a little midline of the front soft palate. This point is located just behind the junction of the hard and soft palates. Generally, 1 minute massage can effectively control hiccups. Be careful not to use too much force or too deep during the massage to avoid damaging the oral tissues.
Dietary Prescription: Putting ginger slices on your tongue or soaking them in water can help relieve hiccups. Because ginger has the effect of warming and stopping vomiting, relieving the surface and dissipating cold. You can also try drinking some rice vinegar or chewing sour foods like hawthorn to help stop hiccups.
Distraction: When hiccups occur, you can try to divert your attention and do some other things, such as reading, listening, chatting, etc., sometimes this can also make the hiccups disappear naturally, because the distraction of attention helps to interrupt the hiccup reflex arc, thereby relieving diaphragmatic spasm.