Lango paramount chief airlifted to Mulago for treatment of hiccups

Lira, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT |  Lango Paramount Chief Yosam Odur Ebii has been transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for treatment.  

Odur was first admitted at Lira University Teaching Hospital on Saturday, for treatment of a fatigue-related illnesses. But according to a statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister of Lango Cultural Foundation, Odur, 92, has been suffering from hiccups that persisted for about two days. 

Eng. James Robert Ajal, the Lango Cultural Foundation Prime Minister says that they were advised on Sunday, by medics in Lira to transfer him to Mulago for better management.

According to sources at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Odur was unconscious by the time he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Mulago. But Anthony Olobo, a son to the Paramount Chief says his father’s condition is now promising. 

Long-term hiccups are, according to medical research, caused bydamage to, or irritation of the vagus nerves, which serve the diaphragm muscle. The damage is triggered by a hair or something else in your ear touching the eardrum, a tumour, cyst, goitre or Sore throat.

Other factors that may increase the risk of hiccups include Mental or emotional issues like anxiety, stress and excitement, while some people develop hiccups after undergoing general anaesthesia or after procedures that involve abdominal organs.

The problem is usually managed by treating the underlying health condition that’s causing the hiccups, having surgery, such as implanting a device that electrically stimulates the Vagus nerve, injecting the phrenic nerve with anaesthetic and acupuncture.   

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