8. Hiccups That Won’t Quit: An Overlooked Indicator
Hiccups, those quirky involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, aren’t typically something to lose sleep over. But if you’re dealing with non-stop hiccups, alongside other symptoms of esophagitis, it’s time to take notice.
These aren’t the endearing hiccups that you can laugh off during a date; they’re persistent and annoying, like a song stuck in your head that you can’t shake off. How does esophagitis come into play? The inflamed esophagus irritates surrounding nerves, triggering the hiccup reflex more frequently than you’d like.
What adds a twist to this tale is the timing. These hiccups often surface after eating, particularly large or spicy meals. Picture yourself enjoying a hearty meal and then, as if on cue, the hiccups kick in, almost as though your body is protesting the feast you just indulged in.
Here’s something to ponder: hiccups linked to esophagitis can also be more frequent at night. Why? Because lying down can exacerbate the irritation in your esophagus, setting the stage for a restless, hiccup-filled night. You may find yourself waking up just to find that hic-hic sound echoing in the room.
So if your hiccups aren’t going away and are paired with other esophagitis symptoms, it’s time to read the room—or rather, read your body. These aren’t random events but signals indicating that your esophagus might be the scene of the crime. (8)
