2. (15 points) Hiccups are an unusual activation of a reflex arc that stimulates
ID: 3513854 • Letter: 2
Question
2. (15 points) Hiccups are an unusual activation of a reflex arc that stimulates the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, resulting in a quick inspiration followed by closure of the glottis. Most incidence of hiccups are self-limiting. However, there are MANY cases where individuals are hospitalized because of chronic hiccups. Please describe the neural arcs and processes involved in hiccups. How have chronic hiccups typically been treated? What are the underlying targets for these treatments? Are the treatments effective? Using a minimum of one example, answer all the above questions.Explanation / Answer
Hiccups are involuntary stimulation of phrenic nerve which causes sudden contraction of diaphragm and intercostal muscles. It involves sympathetic chain. There are a hiccup reflex arc involved in this process which includes brain stem, phrenic nerve, vagus nerve, diaphragm, glottis and intercostal muscles. The stimulating factors are fast drinking, fast eating, talking while eating etc. It stimulate the phrenic nerve and whole the reflex arc.
Generally hiccups are not treated by medicine because it is a self limiting condition. But in some chronic cases patients need medication. The treatment of chronic hiccups includes anti-convulsant drugs like chlorpromazine, phenitoin, valproate etc. Chlorpromazine is very effective in hiccups treatment.
The target of the hiccups treatment is to cure underlying disease that cause hiccups in chronic condition. Some chronic conditions like glottis infection etc causes chronic persistent disease.
Maximum cases are relieved without medication and just by avoiding predisposing factors. Avoid fast drinking and eating. Medicine are only needed in chronic conditions caused by some underlying disease and illness.
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