Google, the internet giant where many seek all the answers, has published the 10 most frequently asked health questions by its users in 2024. “What is ADHD?” “What causes hiccups?” “How do I stop snoring?” “How long does the flu last?” “What is normal blood pressure?” “What is bipolar disorder?” “How do I lower cholesterol?” “What causes high blood pressure?”
“It’s entirely understandable that everyday annoyances, such as hiccups or snoring, rather than serious illnesses, generated significant interest. Only a more complex disease made it to the top of this ranking: “What is lupus?” Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune, and systemic disease that can affect virtually any part of the human body. In this disease, the immune system “mistakenly” attacks healthy cells and tissues, ultimately affecting multiple organs and systems.
It is not my intention to answer these 10 health questions. In fact, not all of them are related to my specialty. I will briefly discuss: What is ADHD? What causes hiccups? and How do I stop snoring?
ADHD has emerged as one of the most important health concerns for society. Many parents wonder if their children’s erratic behavior may be related to this diagnosis.
When we talk about ADHD, we refer to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a neurobiological mental disorder that encompasses a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior.
It is diagnosed more frequently in children than in adults. It begins in childhood and persists into adulthood in a high percentage of cases. It often has a negative impact on multiple areas, primarily behavior, making family, school, work, and interpersonal relationships difficult.
Adults with ADHD have difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness, and restlessness. Many people are unaware they have the disorder. They only know that everyday tasks can be difficult.
They complain of difficulty concentrating and prioritizing, which often causes them to miss deadlines and forget meetings or social events. The inability to control impulses can range from feeling impatient when waiting in line or driving in heavy traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger.
As for hiccups, hiccups are a spasmodic, involuntary, and repetitive contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles that causes a sudden inhalation of air.
The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and plays an important role in breathing. These spasms in the diaphragm cause the vocal cords to suddenly close, producing the “ip” sound.
A large meal, alcoholic or carbonated beverages, experiencing sudden temperature changes, swallowing air (such as when chewing gum or smoking), or a sudden emotion can trigger hiccups.
Depending on their duration, hiccups are divided into three types: Acute, also called transient hiccups. This corresponds to the vast majority of cases and is characterized by a duration of less than 48 hours. Persistent, in which the hiccups last more than 48 hours and less than a month. Intractable, if they persist for more than two months.
Acute hiccups account for the vast majority of cases and are usually due to benign causes. Such as gastric distension, eating food in a hurry, mood swings, stress, strong emotions, anxiety, excessive consumption of carbonated beverages, smoking, alcohol abuse. Sudden changes in temperature or food that is too hot or too cold, and pregnancy, among other causes. In children, they can occur during or after a crying fit.
In many cases, the cause is unknown. Most of the time, they only last a few minutes or seconds. They are a harmless circumstance that should not be given serious importance. However, it is best to consult a doctor if they are frequent or prolonged.
There are many folk remedies for treating hiccups: drinking a glass of water at a time and scaring the sufferer are actions practiced by some people. To prevent them from occurring, it is recommended to eat slowly and reduce alcohol and tobacco consumption. If this occurs, it is suggested to temporarily stop breathing (apnea) for about fifteen seconds or a little longer, up to a minute is fine.
Regarding snoring, in a simple way
In many cases, the cause is unknown. Most of the time, it only lasts a few minutes or seconds. It’s a harmless condition that shouldn’t be given serious consideration. However, it’s best to consult a doctor if it’s too frequent or prolonged.
There are many folk remedies for treating hiccups: drinking a glass of water at a time and scaring the sufferer are some of the actions practiced by some people. To prevent them, it’s recommended to eat slowly and reduce alcohol and tobacco consumption. If they do occur, it’s suggested to temporarily stop breathing (apnea) for about fifteen seconds or a little longer; up to a minute is fine.
Regarding snoring, we can simply explain it as an acoustic phenomenon that occurs during sleep. A consequence of resistance to airflow in the upper airway.
Snoring is the hoarse or loud sound produced when air passes through the relaxed tissues of the throat, causing them to vibrate while breathing. Almost everyone snores occasionally, but for some, it can be a chronic problem. Sometimes, it can indicate a serious illness. Snoring can also be a nuisance to your partner or anyone else you share a bedroom with.
It is estimated that 45 percent of adults snore occasionally, and at least 25 percent snore frequently. Among the latter, a sleep disorder called chronic obstructive sleep apnea (COA) is common.
Treatment for snorers varies, depending on the cause. In general, the following are recommended: reducing anxiety and stress levels, avoiding insomnia, avoiding sleeping on your back, sleeping on your side, and raising the head of the bed, improving bedroom conditions, favoring restful environments, practicing physical and relaxation exercises, losing excess weight, avoiding heavy meals at night, not consuming alcohol, and not smoking.
In upcoming meetings between The Psychiatrist and You. I will delve into the causes, consequences, and treatments for these questions that so concerned internet users in 2024, according to Google statistics.
Translated by Aliani Rojas Fernandez
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