Hiccups after long rides

I<3Carbs

Hi, this is my first post here, about a problem that I've never heard anyone mention before...
I started road cycling two years ago (I'm a converted ex-runner), and this summer I've been training for my first century (which will be in 4 weeks). Everything's been going great overall, but as I've started to do longer rides (3-5 hours), I've noted that I've been getting long bouts of hiccups in the evening following the ride, starting about a half an hour after I finish. The longer the ride, the longer the hiccups last, and a recent 5+ hour ride gave me hiccups for hours (off and on) afterwards. Has anyone had this experience or heard of it? And is this something that will go away as my lungs get more used to long aerobic efforts?
Thanks!

razor_USMC

Hmmm, never heard of that one. I don't think its dangerous since all a hiccup is, is a spasm of the diaphragm. Have you tried the "usual" remedies? i.e. letting a spoonful of sugar dissolve in your mouth as you hold your breath, drink of water and the like. I am sure some of these may be wives tales but may be worth a try. Good luck. P.S. I just happen to remember in the guiness book for world records some poor shmo had the hiccups for several weeks in a row and the only cure was supposedly a prayer to the patron saint of lost causes.

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I<3Carbs

Hi there, thanks for the reply. Do you know where I could find this patron saint?
I've tried all of the old wives tales, and what sometimes works is holding my breath for as long as I can. But then they just start up again a short while later. I know that this is probably not life-threatening, its just that its sort of painful and really annoying!

razor_USMC

The only other thing I can think of, is the fact that I sometimes get hiccups after I overeat. This is usually because an hour or so after strenuous activity my apetite is through the roof. Just another thing to think about...a full stomach pushes down on the diaphragm and may lead to the spasm.

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dsdelis

I have that problem too. I found that certain drinks after the ride would trigger the hiccups. Now I stay away from soda and beer after long rides. Wine is a good choice.

Dean

I<3Carbs

Hmmm....weird, but no, this is definitely not the problem. I've never gotten hiccups after a large meal, and I never want to eat large quantities after long rides! Thanks, though.