Director of the US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse, Dr. George Koob, said Live Science said alcohol can cause problems with the muscles of the upper respiratory tract and diaphragm and affect the connections between nerve cells and muscle fibers. This may lead to hiccups.
Koob said there are several theories about how alcohol can cause hiccups. However, the doctor stated that he was not aware of any studies that specifically examined the mechanism behind this phenomenon. One explanation is that ethanol, found in beer, wine, and spirits, may cause hiccups by disrupting the normal flow of nerve signals in the body.
The characteristic sound of a hiccup is caused by sudden contraction of the vocal cords due to repeated spasms of the diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle that stretches and relaxes as air is drawn into the lungs and then expelled. Like other muscles, the diaphragm moves in response to impulses produced by the nervous system. Alcohol can interfere with the normal functioning of the upper respiratory tract and diaphragm muscles by disrupting the connection between nerve cells and muscle fibers. This hypothesis was confirmed by the results of a study by scientists from the London Hospital School of Medicine. Ethanol appeared to interfere with the transmission of signals between nerves and muscles in tissue samples taken from the neurophrenic system of rats.
Additionally, hiccups while drunk may also be related to gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition in which stomach contents leak into the esophagus. It is not known exactly which mechanisms underlie this relationship. However, hiccups are more common in people with this disorder.
Previous social anxiety connected With an increase in the amount of alcohol consumed.