Many people like spicy food because it has intense flavors and a hot kick. Some people, though, can get hiccups after eating hot foods, which is surprising and annoying. The vocal cords quickly close after a rapid, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm muscle, producing the unmistakable “hic” sound. Even though no one knows why spicy food makes you hiccups, a few ideas help explain why this happens. Let’s look at some reasons why does spicy food might make you hiccup.
What are hiccups?
Hiccups are spasms of the diaphragm muscle, a large muscle with a dome shape found between the chest and the abdomen, and are a key part of breathing. When the diaphragm contracts quickly and out of the body’s control, it causes a quick inhale. The unique “hic” sound is made when the vocal cords quickly close after this contraction.
Hiccups can happen independently and usually go away after a short time. Most of the time, they are brief and nothing to worry about. However, hiccups that last for more than 48 hours or occur frequently may indicate a more serious medical issue and require a doctor’s attention.
Hiccups can happen in waves, and each wave only lasts a few minutes. They can happen once in a while or over and over again, and more than one can happen quickly. Hiccups can be called acute if they last less than 48 hours, chronic if they last longer than 48 hours but less than one month, or intractable if they last longer than one month.
Some things that can cause hiccups are eating or drinking too fast, drinking carbonated drinks, swallowing air, sudden changes in temperature, excitement or mental stress, and medical conditions or procedures that irritate the nerves or muscles involved in the hiccup reflex.
Even though hiccups are usually safe, they can be annoying and make it hard to do things, especially if they happen often or get in the way of eating, talking, or sleeping. People use different home treatments and tricks, like holding their breath, drinking water, swallowing sugar, or breathing into a paper bag, to stop hiccups. But these treatments can work differently for different people.
If hiccups keep happening or have a big effect on your daily life, you may need to see a doctor. Healthcare workers may suggest you take medicine to stop hiccups or get a medical exam to find out what’s causing them and treat them.
Why does spicy food make you a hiccup?
If you enjoy spicy foods, you’ve had the powerful—and occasionally extremely unpleasant—chilli hiccups. But what causes this phenomenon, and why are some chilli fans affected more than others? Here are the reasons!
Capsaicin Stimulation
Capsaicin is the main chemical in chilli peppers that makes them spicy. Eating capsaicin turns on receptors in your mouth and throat that make you feel pain and heat. Some studies show that if these receptors are stimulated, the diaphragm may contract, which could cause hiccups.
Irritation of the Esophagus
Spicy food can harm the oesophagus, the muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach. The irritation may set off a reaction that affects the phrenic nerves, which control the contractions of the diaphragm. When this happens, the nerves don’t work as they should, which can cause hiccups.
Gastric Disturbance
Some people who eat hot foods have stomach problems like acid reflux or heartburn. Digestive issues can affect the vagus nerve, which runs from the brainstem to the abdomen and controls many bodily functions, including hiccups.
Stimulation of the Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system controls the body’s automatic processes, such as digestion. Spicy foods, significantly high in the chemical capsaicin, can trigger the autonomic nervous system. This can cause a chain reaction of bodily responses, including hiccups.
Increased Swallowing
Spicy foods can make you produce more saliva, which makes it easier to swallow. Swallowing repeatedly may mess up the balance between the diaphragm and other breathing muscles, which could cause hiccups.
Individual Sensitivity
Spicy foods can affect the stomach and give you hiccups in different ways for each person. Some people may get hiccups more often than others because of how their bodies work or because they have other health problems.
Remember: It’s important to remember that hiccups caused by spicy food usually only last a short time and are nothing to worry about. Most of the time, they go away on their own. But it’s best to see a doctor if hiccups last for a long time, happen often, or are followed by other severe symptoms.
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How do I stop having hiccups when eating spicy food?
Even though there is no surefire way to stop hiccups from happening after eating spicy food, there are some things you can do to make them less severe or shorten their length:
Drinking Water
Drinking cold water or taking small sips can help reduce the irritation that spicy food causes and possibly stop the hiccup response.
Holding Your Breath
Taking a deep breath and holding it for a few seconds can sometimes stop the cycle of hiccups and get the diaphragm to work normally again.
Distraction Techniques
You might be able to stop hiccuping by taking your mind off them, like by counting backwards, focusing on a hard job, or swallowing a teaspoon of sugar.
Slow and Controlled Eating
Hiccups are less likely if you eat strong food slowly and carefully, take small bites, and chew well.
Antacid Medications
If you have acid reflux or heartburn along with your hiccups, over-the-counter antacids may help relieve your symptoms and make hiccups less likely.
Remember: It’s important to note that these treatments might work for some people but not others. If you have hiccups often or they get in the way of your daily life, you should see a doctor or nurse for a full evaluation and advice.
FAQs
People often look for answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the connection between hot food and hiccups. Let’s look at some of these frequently asked questions and explain them to help answer this common question:
Are hiccups from spicy food harmful?
Most of the time, hiccups caused by spicy food are safe and don’t last long. Most of the time, they go away on their own quickly and don’t hurt your health in the long run. But you should see a doctor if you have hiccups for a long time or if other serious symptoms follow them.
Can everyone get hiccups from eating spicy food?
Not everyone gets the hiccups after eating something spicy. People can have different reactions to hot food and different tendencies to get the hiccups. Some people may get hiccups more often than others because of how their bodies work or because they have other health problems.
How long do hiccups from spicy food usually last?
Spicy food usually causes short-lived hiccups that only last a few minutes. Most of the time, they go away alone without any treatment. But you should see a doctor if you have had hiccups for a long time or often.
Can I prevent hiccups when eating spicy food?
There is no surefire way to stop hiccups from happening after eating spicy food, but there are some things you can do to make them less painful or shorten their length. Some of these are drinking water, holding your breath, finding something else to do, eating slowly, and not eating too much.
Are there any remedies to stop hiccups from spicy food?
People try all kinds of home cures to stop hiccups caused by spicy food. Some of these solutions are to drink cold water, hold your breath for a few seconds, swallow a teaspoon of sugar, or do something else to take your mind off the pain. But these treatments can work differently for different people.
Should I be concerned if hiccups from spicy food persist?
Most of the time, hiccups caused by spicy food go away on their own and don’t need medical help. But if you have had hiccups for a long time, they happen often, or other serious symptoms accompany them, you should see a doctor for a full checkup.
Final Word
No one knows exactly how spicy food can cause hiccups. Several things, such as the stimulation of sensory receptors, irritation of the esophagus, problems with the autonomic nervous system, more swallowing, or sensitivity, could cause it. Even though hiccups caused by spicy food are usually safe and go away on their own, you may be able to stop them by drinking water, holding your breath, distracting yourself, or eating more slowly. Keep in mind that if you experience hiccups frequently or they come with other unsettling symptoms, you should see a doctor.