If we think of the typical drunk in comedy movies, the hiccup You can not miss. It may even have happened to us at some point when we had a few too many drinks. However the drunk hiccups It is not as common as parodies represent it and, precisely for this reason, it has not been studied in depth.
They explain it in Live Sciencein an article for which they have consulted the doctor George Koob, director of the United States National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. He told them two possible hypotheses about the origin of the drunk’s hiccups.
They are different hypotheses, which affect different organs. But in both there is a coincidence excessive muscle relaxation of the upper half of the body. In one case it is the diaphragm and in another the ring that separates the esophagus from the stomach. It may also be associated with previous conditions, in which they are affected the liver or pancreas. But those would be exceptional cases. At a general level, let’s see how drunk hiccups can originate.
The muscles and hiccups of the drunk
The alcohol contained in alcoholic beverages is ethanol. It is known that this can interrupt the normal flow of nerve signals. Among these signs are the Electric impulses whereby muscles contract and relax. Therefore, although there are no exhaustive studies, much less in humans, it is believed that this may be the cause of drunken hiccups.
For example, in research carried out with rats, it was found that ethanol interferes with the transmission of signals to the diaphragm. This is a muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. It is responsible for the movements we make with the chest when we take in air and release it.
This occurs with normal contraction and relaxation of the muscle. However, if nerve impulses are altered, sudden spasms in the diaphragmwhich cause a sudden closure of the vocal chords and, with it, that characteristic “hip” sound.
What does esophageal reflux have to do with it?
People with esophageal reflux They usually have hiccups among their symptoms. This phenomenon occurs when stomach acids erroneously move upward, flooding the esophagus and causing a feeling of nausea. burning in the chest and nausea.
This is something that normally does not happen, since there is a muscular ring, called esophageal sphincter, which separates the stomach from the esophagus and closes to prevent acids from escaping the stomach. However, ethanol can relax this muscle, causing esophageal reflux and, with it, drunken hiccups.
Logically, this will occur in a greater proportion of people who usually have esophageal reflux. But it can also happen to someone who I have never suffered itsimply for the fact of having drunk.
It is not serious to feel hiccups in isolation after drinking a little. However, if it becomes too common, it would be best to consult a doctor. Although one thing is clear: the best way to prevent it from happening is not to drink. Avoiding drunk hiccups is one of the many benefits of leaving this habit behind. It could be a good New Year’s resolution.