A particular sound like “hic” is produced due to vitiation of prana and Udana type of Vata. Ayurveda classifies this disorder into 5 types depending upon the symptoms and the severity.
Most of the times it is produced because of disorder of gastrointestinal tract, like indigestion or flatulence. In such cases, with simple treatment of flatulence or gas, this disappears. Then it is quite a serious symptom.
The vitiated Prana and Udana Vata in turn vitiate the respiratory, gastrointestinal intestinal, and plasma carrying systems. The causes for hiccough are the same as for asthma. Particularly those causes that irritate the diaphragm like distention of abdomen due to overeating and drinking, irritation due to alcohol, peritonitis, cancer in the abdominal organs, abscess of liver, and worms in intestines. Due to tumours in the thorax and some diseases in the brain like meningitis, toxaemia, uremia, and acidosis can produce hiccough.
Ayurveda has classified this disorder into 5 typer – annaja, yamala, kshudra, gambhira and mahati. The first 3 typesare due to disturbances in the gastro – intestinal – tract. The other two typer are due to complications of some other serious diseases.
Find out the proper cause and treat accordingly. Acute when the hiccough is persistent, and the patient is restless, the medicine of choice is ash of peacock’s feather called as mayurpiccha mashi. 100 mgm; of this powder should be given with honey and ginger juice. The patient should lick this mixture every five minutes, till the hiccough stops. This treatment is useful in all first 3 types. For the remaining 2 types, treat the disease which is causing hiccough.
For hiccough that is due to disturbance in gastro – intestinal tract, use carminative herbs and the herbs that increase the power of digestion like ginger, black pepper, fennel, cardamom, cinnamon, asafetida, rock salt, and other plant alkalies. Any one of these can be given 1 to 3 gms; a day for 7 days, with warm water or herbal tea.
Tab. Chitrakadi – bati (BR) 250 mgm; 3 times a day for 2 weeks or tab. Somnath ras (RYS) 2 to 4 times a day is also useful . To avoid the recurrence, give mild laxative and light diet like vegetable soup.
