Chijioke Iremeka Paediatricians have debunked the long-held belief that placing a strand of thread on a baby’s head will stop hiccup, stating that the practice often shared as a home remedy by well-meaning family members, had no scientific basis. They warned that such practice could lead to unnecessary anxiety and distraction from more effective approaches, such as gentle burping or adjusting feeding positions. The child health experts explained that hiccups in infants were a normal and often harmless reflex, caused by involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, stressing that these can occur for various reasons, including swallowing air during feeding, sudden changes in temperature, or even overfeeding.
The experts said while hiccups usually resolved on their own without the need for any serious medical intervention, they emphasised that placing strands of thread on a baby’s head had no relationship with hiccups. According to an online medical information portal, Mayo Clinic, hiccups are repeated spasms or sudden movements of the diaphragm that cannot be controlled. “The diaphragm is the muscle that separates your chest from your stomach area and plays an important role in breathing.
A spasm in your diaphragm causes your vocal cords to suddenly close, producing a ‘hic’ sound. “Eating a large meal, drinking alcoholic or carbonated beverages, or getting excited suddenly may cause hiccups. In some cases, hiccups may be a sign of an underlying medical issue.
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