The key difference between burp and hiccup is that burps refer to the release of gas from the upper digestive tract through the mouth, while hiccups refer to the involuntary contractions of the diaphragm that are repeated several times per minute.
Burps and hiccups are two weird things that the human body does. They are very common in newborns as well. Moreover, burps and hiccups also tend to happen around feedings. Therefore, they can sometimes cause concerns among new parents. However, these are two normal bodily functions. Everyone should know how to handle these reactions and what these reactions mean.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Burp
3. What is Hiccup
4. Similarities – Burp and Hiccup
5. Burp vs Hiccup in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Burp vs Hiccup
What is Burp?
Burp or belching is the release of gas from the upper digestive tract through the mouth. Burps are usually audible. They can be observed in humans as well as other mammals. In domesticated ruminants, burping produces methane, which is a key contributor to climate change and has a negative effect on the environment. It can be caused due to normal eating or as a side effect of other medical conditions (acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Chronic burping can also be related to inflammation of the stomach lining or due to an infection with Helicobacter pyroli. H. pyroli can also trigger stomach ulcers. In these situations, burping is accompanied by other symptoms as well, such as heartburn and abdominal pain.
In certain cultures, burping is acceptable, while in others, it is very offensive or unacceptable. Moreover, when people fail to burp, it can cause pain or other negative effects. Furthermore, burp can be reduced by eating and drinking slowly, avoiding carbonated drinks and beer, skipping hard gum and candy, not smoking, checking dentures, and treating heartburn.
What is Hiccup?
Hiccup is the involuntary contractions of the diaphragm in animals. It is repeated several times per minute, which can cause annoyance. Each of these involuntary contractions is followed by a sudden closure of vocal cords that produces a peculiar “hic” sound. Moreover, hiccups are also sometimes accompanied by a slight tightening sensation in the chest, abdomen, and throat. Sudden hiccups can be caused due to drinking carbonated beverages, drinking too much alcohol, eating too much, excitement or emotional stress, sudden temperature changes, and swallowing air with chewing gum. Chronic hiccups can be caused due to nerve damage or irritation, central nervous system disorders (encephalitis, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and tumors), metabolic disorders, and drugs (alcoholism, anesthesia, barbiturates, diabetes, electrolyte imbalance, kidney disease, steroids, and tranquilizers)
Hiccups are diagnosed through physical examination, laboratory tests for diabetes, infection, and kidney disease, imaging tests (chest X-ray, CT scan, and MRI), and endoscopic tests. Furthermore, treatment options for hiccups may include medications (baclofen, chlorpromazine, metoclopramide), treating underlying medical conditions, surgical and other procedures (injection of anesthesia to block phrenic nerve to stop hiccups or implanting a battery-operated device to deliver electrical impulses to stimulate the vagus nerve).
What are the Similarities Between Burp and Hiccup?
- Burps and hiccups are normal bodily functions.
- Both these can be identified in humans as well as other animals.
- Burps and hiccups can cause characteristic sounds.
- They are very common in newborns as well.
- They also tend to happen around the feedings of babies.
- Both these can take place due to an underline medical condition as well.
- They are not life-threatening conditions.
- They can be treated through lifestyle changes, medications, and surgeries.
What is the Difference Between Burp and Hiccup?
Burp is the release of gas from the upper digestive tract through the mouth, while hiccup is the involuntary contractions of the diaphragm that are repeated several times per minute. Thus, this is the key difference between burp and hiccup. Furthermore, burps can be caused due to normal eating processes or as a side effect of medical conditions like acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). On the other hand, hiccups can be caused by drinking too much alcohol, drinking carbonated beverages, eating too much, excitement or emotional stress, sudden temperature changes and swallowing air with chewing gum, nerve damage or irritation, central nervous system disorders, metabolic disorders, and drugs.
The below infographic presents the differences between burp and hiccup in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Burp vs Hiccup
Burps and hiccups are two bodily functions that take place in the bodies of humans and other animals. They are usually considered normal. Burp is the release of gas from the upper digestive tract, while hiccup is the involuntary contractions of the diaphragm that are repeated several times per minute. So, this is the key difference between burp and hiccup.
Reference:
1. “Burping & Excessive Belching: Why It Happens & How to Make It Stop.” WebMD.
2. “Hiccups.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Infant Feeding Burping Over Shoulder” By BruceBlaus – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Hiccups” By Rhett Sutphin (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
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