The so-called vagus nerve, connecting many internal organs with the central nervous system, passes from the chest to the abdomen, close to the esophagus. Together with the esophagus, this nerve squeezes through a narrow opening in the diaphragm. (muscular-tendon septum, separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal), further going to the stomach and other abdominal organs.

It is in this narrow place that it is most often stimulated: when eating in a hurry, quite large pieces of food pass through the esophagus, the vagus nerve in the diaphragm is pressed and irritated. Irritation of the vagus nerve can occur when the stomach fills quickly, when overeating, and also in an awkward position, when a nerve gets compressed, or when scared, when a sharp breath occurs.

Compression of this nerve is fraught with dysfunction of many organs, therefore, the body reacts very quickly and actively to the inconvenience that arises. It sends a signal to the central nervous system, which, в свою очередь, activates the phrenic nerve, responsible for contractions of the diaphragm.

Hiccups are the result of regular ("pulsating") activity of this nerve, which causes the diaphragm to contract with powerful and sudden movements. Hiccups are an attempt to “relieve the load” from the vagus nerve.

Therefore, the following helps with hiccups::

1) straighten up, you can stretch;

2) take a deep breath and hold your breath, as if pushing the diaphragm down; you can just breathe deeply and slowly;

3) drink water, but a little, otherwise it will have the opposite effect. All these actions help to “streamline” disrupted relationships between organs and reduce pressure on the vagus nerve in the esophageal opening of the diaphragm.

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