Hiccups after alcohol: why and why?

An occasional involuntary reflex in the form of a convulsive contraction of the diaphragm and auxiliary respiratory muscles with a sharp, suddenly stopping breath and closing of the vocal cords is not a pathology, but why does hiccups so often appear after alcohol?

Causes of the hiccups after alcohol

The causes of hiccups after drinking alcoholic beverages are alcohol itself, especially strong. It irritates not only the mucous membranes of the esophageal wall and the receptors of the gastric mucosa, but also the nerves located near the esophagus: the anterior branches of the vagus nerve (nervus vagus) passing into the abdominal cavity through the esophageal opening of the diaphragm and the phrenic nerve (nervus phrenicus), which controls the movement of the diaphragm. [1]

Thus, irritation of the esophagus causes irritation of these nerves, causing the muscles of the diaphragm to contract, causing hiccups. [2]

Risk factors

Factors that increase the likelihood of hiccups after drinking alcohol include drinking too much, swallowing air while drinking (especially fast) and eating, and stretching the stomach.

Severe hiccups after alcohol containing carbon dioxide and beer are associated with the expansion of the stomach, which leads to irritation of the vagus nerve and diaphragm.

Also, acid reflux into the esophagus should not be excluded, since alcohol reduces the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter and at the same time increases the production of acid in the stomach. 

Pathogenesis

As with  hiccups after eating , the mechanism of hiccups after alcohol is due to the fact that due to the irritating effect on the phrenic and vagus nerves, there is a frequent contraction of the diaphragm, the fascia of the internal muscle legs of which limit the muscular ring of the phrenic-esophageal opening and, approaching, fit snugly to esophagus.

And prolonged hiccups after alcohol, like other symptoms of a hangover syndrome, are a consequence of the CNS reaction to ethyl alcohol intoxication. In what cases hiccups are possible after alcohol in a dream, it is not known, since in a horizontal position the esophagus is relaxed, and sleep, as shown by polysomnography, inhibits hiccups.

Treatment of the hiccups after alcohol

Here are some tips on how to get rid of hiccups after alcohol quickly.

Firstly, holding your breath for a few seconds helps - after inhaling, then you should take a few deep breaths. You can repeat three or four times.

Secondly, proven remedies for hiccups after alcohol: a glass of water, drunk without stopping; put in the mouth a slice of lemon or half a teaspoon of granulated sugar (which must be put on the basal part of the tongue). [3]

Also, you can try:

• gargle with cold water;
• cough;
• press firmly on the bridge of the nose several times;
• change body position to compress the diaphragm, such as sitting with your knees drawn up to your chest or your chest tilted towards your knees.

Complications and consequences

Post-alcoholic hiccups are physiological and do without complications and consequences.

But if hiccups persist for two or more days after alcohol, you should seek medical help, as this may be a sign of a serious health problem, in particular, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia and other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, lesions brain or spinal cord, disorders of the autonomic nervous system, malignant tumors, etc.

Prevention

The surest way to avoid hiccups after alcohol is to stop drinking it... At the very least, you need to use it in moderation and drink it slowly.

Also, you should not drink carbonated alcoholic beverages, and it is better to drink beer not from a bottle or can, but from a glass.