Medically, the disease is also known as ‘Singultus’. There is an abrupt involuntary lowering of the diaphragm and closure of sound-producing folds, at the upper end of the trachea, producing a characteristic sound when the breath is inspired (drawn in). Hiccups occurs repeatedly and almost in quick succession or the gap between two hiccups (paroxysmal period) is so short that the patient does not have any respite.
In fact spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm (which is more often reflex) or mid-riff is the basic cause of hiccup which is a reflex from the kidney, liver, stomach etc. Since heart rests immediately over the diaphragm, so spasmodic contraction of it leads to repeated jerks on the heart; hence there is exhausation.
Hiccup is a serious disease due to dose affinity of heart and diaphragm, especially when the problem is associated with previous exhaustion and/or serious malady but the hiccup found in children and others is usually of hysterical nature (hysterical hiccup); hence is not that dangerous as spasmoitic hiccup(s).
General and traditional method, often practised is either to divert attention of the patient from episodes of hiccup or give water to be sipped only. I have seen certain cases improve instantaneously. About 5 years back I was staying with a business man friend whose 18 years old daughter had repeated paroxysms of exhausted; her eyes looking dangerously lachrymal and red.
I suddenly entered her room and asked the young one to turn her back. When she turned her back, I blowed her back portion, within the shoulders, with a sudden jerking blow and, surprisingly, she breathed a sigh of relief and had no hiccups thereafter. It all implies that distraction of mind is necessary but may not always prove availing.
HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT
Ginseng-Q : Should be used in all forms of hiccup (give 5 drops with water)—may be repeated if attacks do not stop.
Cuprum Met/Cuprum Ars-6 : If hiccup is accompanied with nausea, eructations, difficult breathing, or if drinking of water relieves hiccup.
Ignatia-6 : When hiccup is caused after or followed by smoke, food or drink.
Carbo Veg-6 : When caused by movement.
Lycopodium-30 : When the tongue at one time is drawn in, and at another time extruded.
Cicuta-6 : Hiccup with sound.
Cocculus-6 : Hiccup and eructations, stabbing pain.
Nux Vom-3 : If hiccup occurs, before meals are taken. Some people recommend water of green coconut or kernel inside the stone of palm fruit. Diet given should be in liquid and bland form.
Occasional paroxysms of hiccup, if short lived and abating quickly, should not cause any concern but prolonged attacks need to be treated, as some attacks are so quick and exhausting that the patient becomes nervous and cyanotic, breathing is also under strain, hence, in the latter stage, there is no room for any complacent approach.
CROUP
This is predominantly a children’s disease when there is a stredor (deep, sharp sound) due to impeded breathing, constriction of chest and its capacity to expand and contract diminishes, face becomes pale, head tilts on one side and facial muscles benumb. But all the above mentioned signs are not long-lasting. After a short while, there are convulsions and cramps in the whole body, and in grave situations breathing stops (asphaxia) and finally the patient dies of suffocation.
Children between the age of 3 months and 2 years are generally the victims, attacks mostly coming at night. Children, who are extremely weak and are brought up under unhygienic and unhealthy environs, fall prey to this horrible disease.
TREATMENT
It mostly consists of pure air, water and food. Food must be served with high nutritional values. Health building tonics like Ostomalt, Cod Liver oil with malt extract, Adexoline drops etc. may be given either along/with milk/or before or after milk, whenever the attack takes place; pat and sponge the child with hot or cold water, according to weather conditions.
He may be given Ammonia to inhale. 4-5 drops of Tincture of Castor may be mixed with hot/cold water. Homeopathic medicines like Pot Bromide (kali Bromide- 30) or/and chlorum (chloral hydrate)-6 may be given with water; crude dose being 2-5gr of Pot Bromide and V2 -2 gr of chloral hydrate.
Note : Before any medicine is given to child, it is advised that the child is never treated at home, rather he should be got examined by a doctor so that there is no delay in proper treatment.