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What sparks “alcohol-related hiccups”? There exist several hypotheses.(Image credit: nicoletaionescu via Getty Images)ShareShare by:
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An intense occurrence of “drunk hiccups” may not be the most awful consequence after consuming too much alcohol, though it could undoubtedly be bothersome.
Alcohol-induced hiccups happen frequently enough that, in standard cartoons, a figure hiccuping after drinking a shot of liquor is perceived as indicating they are inebriated — though can drinking alcohol truly trigger hiccups? Or could there be different aspects involved?
Actually, our knowledge regarding drunk hiccups remains notably limited. Clinical case studies have indeed proposed a correlation between alcohol use and hiccups. Yet, Dr. George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, mentioned to Live Science he is not aware of any investigations that particularly examine the underlying cause of this occurrence.
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Nevertheless, there are various postulations concerning how alcohol could potentially initiate hiccups. A probable reason is that ethanol — the sort of alcohol observed in beverages like beer, wine, and liquor — might induce hiccups by upsetting the usual conduction of nerve impulses within the physique.
The signature “hic” sound stems from the abrupt closure of the vocal folds due to recurring spasms of the diaphragm, the curved muscle which contracts and loosens to draw air into the lungs and subsequently push it out. Similarly to any other muscle, the diaphragm shifts in reaction to electrical signals produced by the nervous apparatus.
“Current documents regarding the effects of alcohol on the respiratory arrangement advocate for the theory that alcohol diminishes the usual function of muscles inside the upper respiratory tract and diaphragm by impacting communication between nerve cells and muscle fibers, possibly resulting in hiccups,” Koob conveyed to Live Science via email.
“As an illustration, within a specific study, the investigators scrutinized the way alcohol influences muscles within the rat’s diaphragm and detected that ethanol obstructs the transmission of signals among nerves and muscles in rat nerve-diaphragm tissue specimens,” Koob mentioned.
“And while we are unsure whether there’s a definitive tie between alcohol itself and hiccups, we do understand that hiccups manifest with greater regularity in people with this ailment,” Koob clarified.
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“Notably, besides GERD, hiccups are more commonly observed in those with neuropathies [nerve impairment], liver disorders, and pancreatic illnesses,” Koob declared. “And alcohol remains a primary contributor to each of these ailments. Hence, it is conceivable that betterment of medical circumstances triggered by troublesome alcohol habits might also assist in easing hiccups.”
Nevertheless, within individuals who generally abstain from significant alcohol quantities, an occasional bout of alcohol-induced hiccups most likely signifies no reason for apprehension, despite the fact that the spasms may be troublesome to remove.
This writing serves uniquely as a source of information and is not aimed at rendering medical advice.
Do you find yourself curious as to why specific people develop muscle mass more easily than others or why freckles emerge upon sun exposure? Direct your inquiries regarding the functioning of the human body to [email protected] utilizing the subject line “Health Desk Q,” and you might find your query addressed on our website!
Anna GoraHealth Writer
Anna Gora serves as a health writer at Live Science, having previously operated across Coach, Fit&Well, T3, TechRadar and Tom’s Guide. She possesses credentials as a certified personal instructor, nutritionist, and health advisor, accompanied by nearly 10 years of professional expertise. Anna possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, a Master’s degree in Nutrition, Physical Activity & Public Health from the University of Bristol, along with various health mentoring qualifications. She is fervent about enabling individuals to embrace a healthful way of life and advancing the merits of a plant-predominant nutritional plan.
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