About all

Hiccoughs causes. Hiccups: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatment Strategies

by alexxlab

What causes hiccups. How long do hiccups typically last. What are some home remedies for hiccups. When should you see a doctor for hiccups. What medical treatments are available for persistent hiccups.

Содержание

Understanding the Mechanism Behind Hiccups

Hiccups, medically known as singultus, are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm – the muscle separating the chest cavity from the abdomen. These contractions cause a sudden intake of breath, which is abruptly stopped by the closure of the vocal cords, resulting in the characteristic “hic” sound.

The diaphragm plays a crucial role in breathing. During normal respiration, it contracts to allow the lungs to take in oxygen and relaxes to expel carbon dioxide. However, when hiccups occur, this rhythmic process is disrupted, leading to the uncomfortable and often inconvenient symptoms.

The Anatomy of a Hiccup

To better understand hiccups, it’s essential to break down the process:

  1. The diaphragm contracts suddenly and involuntarily.
  2. This contraction causes a rapid inhalation of air.
  3. Simultaneously, the vocal cords close quickly.
  4. The closure of the vocal cords produces the distinctive “hic” sound.
  5. This process repeats until the hiccups subside.

Are hiccups predictable? Unfortunately, there’s no way to anticipate when hiccups will occur. However, some individuals may experience a slight tightening in the chest or throat just before the audible hiccup sound.

Common Causes of Hiccups

While the exact triggers of hiccups can vary from person to person, several common causes have been identified:

  • Overeating or eating too quickly
  • Consuming spicy foods
  • Drinking carbonated beverages
  • Swallowing air while eating or drinking
  • Sudden temperature changes in the stomach (e.g., eating very hot or cold foods)
  • Emotional stress or excitement
  • Smoking or chewing gum

Can medical conditions cause hiccups? In some cases, hiccups may be a symptom of underlying medical issues, particularly if they persist for an extended period. These conditions might include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), tumors, or certain neurological disorders.

Risk Factors for Developing Hiccups

While hiccups can affect anyone at any age, certain factors may increase the likelihood of experiencing them:

  • Gender: Males are more prone to developing long-term hiccups
  • Mental or emotional states: Intense emotions, from anxiety to excitement, can trigger hiccups
  • Recent surgery: Particularly abdominal procedures
  • General anesthesia: Some individuals experience hiccups after being under general anesthesia
  • Medications: Certain drugs, especially steroids, can increase the risk of hiccups

Is age a factor in hiccup frequency? Interestingly, hiccups can occur at any stage of life, including in utero. They are particularly common in newborns and infants, though they rarely cause discomfort or require treatment in these age groups.

Home Remedies and Self-Help Techniques for Hiccups

While there’s no scientifically proven method to stop hiccups instantly, many people find relief through various home remedies and techniques:

  • Holding your breath for a short period
  • Breathing into a paper bag (without covering your head)
  • Pulling your knees to your chest and leaning forward
  • Sipping ice-cold water
  • Swallowing a teaspoon of granulated sugar
  • Biting on a lemon or tasting vinegar
  • Gently pressing on the eyeballs (be cautious with this method)

Can physical maneuvers help stop hiccups? Some people find success with techniques that stimulate the vagus nerve or interrupt the diaphragm’s rhythm. These might include gargling with water, applying gentle pressure to the diaphragm, or performing the Valsalva maneuver (attempting to exhale while keeping the mouth and nose closed).

Prevention Strategies for Hiccups

While it’s not always possible to prevent hiccups, certain lifestyle changes may reduce their frequency:

  • Eat slowly and avoid overeating
  • Limit intake of carbonated beverages
  • Avoid sudden temperature changes in food and drink
  • Manage stress through relaxation techniques
  • Minimize consumption of alcohol and spicy foods
  • Avoid chewing gum and smoking, which can lead to swallowing air

Can dietary modifications help prevent hiccups? For some individuals, identifying and avoiding personal trigger foods or beverages can significantly reduce the occurrence of hiccups. Keeping a food diary may help pinpoint these triggers.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Hiccups

While most cases of hiccups resolve on their own within a few minutes to hours, persistent hiccups may warrant medical attention. Consider consulting a healthcare provider if:

  • Hiccups last longer than 48 hours
  • Hiccups interfere with eating, sleeping, or daily activities
  • Hiccups are accompanied by severe abdominal pain, fever, or shortness of breath
  • Hiccups occur frequently and affect your quality of life

Could persistent hiccups indicate a serious condition? In rare cases, prolonged hiccups may be a symptom of an underlying medical issue, such as a tumor, infection, or neurological disorder. A thorough medical evaluation can help identify and address any potential underlying causes.

Medical Treatments for Persistent Hiccups

When hiccups persist beyond a few days or significantly impact daily life, medical intervention may be necessary. Treatment options may include:

  • Medications: Drugs like chlorpromazine, metoclopramide, or baclofen may be prescribed to help control hiccups
  • Nerve stimulation: Techniques to stimulate the phrenic or vagus nerves may be employed
  • Surgical interventions: In extreme cases, surgical procedures to disable the phrenic nerve may be considered
  • Treatment of underlying conditions: If hiccups are caused by an underlying medical issue, addressing that condition may resolve the hiccups

How effective are medical treatments for hiccups? The success of medical treatments can vary depending on the individual and the underlying cause of the hiccups. In many cases, a combination of approaches may be necessary to achieve relief.

Hiccups in Special Populations

Hiccups can affect individuals of all ages, but they may present unique challenges or considerations in certain populations:

Hiccups in Newborns and Infants

Hiccups are common in babies and rarely cause discomfort. They often occur during or after feeding and typically resolve on their own. Parents can try the following techniques:

  • Burping the baby more frequently during feedings
  • Ensuring a proper latch during breastfeeding to minimize air intake
  • Keeping the baby in an upright position for about 20 minutes after feeding

Hiccups During Pregnancy

Pregnant women may experience an increase in hiccups due to:

  • Hormonal changes affecting the diaphragm
  • The growing uterus putting pressure on the stomach
  • Increased instances of acid reflux

Most hiccups during pregnancy are harmless, but persistent cases should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Hiccups in the Elderly

Older adults may be more susceptible to prolonged hiccups due to:

  • Age-related changes in the nervous system
  • Increased likelihood of underlying medical conditions
  • Potential side effects from medications

Elderly individuals experiencing persistent hiccups should seek medical evaluation to rule out any serious underlying causes.

Do hiccups have any positive effects? While hiccups are generally considered a nuisance, some researchers speculate that they may serve a purpose in fetal development, potentially helping to strengthen the diaphragm muscle. However, in adults, hiccups are typically regarded as a benign, if sometimes annoying, physiological occurrence.

The Psychology of Hiccups

While hiccups are primarily a physical phenomenon, psychological factors can play a role in their occurrence and persistence:

Stress and Anxiety

High levels of stress or anxiety can contribute to hiccups by:

  • Altering breathing patterns
  • Causing muscle tension, including in the diaphragm
  • Leading to behaviors that may trigger hiccups, such as eating quickly or swallowing air

The Placebo Effect

The belief in a hiccup cure may sometimes be enough to stop hiccups. This demonstrates the power of the mind-body connection and suggests that relaxation and distraction techniques may be effective for some individuals.

Cultural Beliefs and Superstitions

Many cultures have unique beliefs or superstitions about hiccups, such as:

  • Someone is thinking about you when you hiccup
  • Hiccups indicate future growth in children
  • Specific rituals or words can cure hiccups

While these beliefs lack scientific basis, they highlight the universal nature of hiccups across cultures.

Can psychological interventions help with chronic hiccups? For some individuals with persistent hiccups, cognitive-behavioral therapy or other psychological approaches may be beneficial, particularly if stress or anxiety are contributing factors.

Ongoing Research and Future Directions

The field of hiccup research continues to evolve, with scientists exploring various aspects of this common phenomenon:

Neurological Studies

Researchers are investigating the neural pathways involved in hiccups, aiming to develop more targeted treatments for persistent cases. This includes studying the role of neurotransmitters and specific brain regions in hiccup generation and suppression.

Pharmacological Advancements

New medications are being developed and tested for their efficacy in treating chronic hiccups. These include drugs that target specific neurotransmitter receptors or modulate nerve activity.

Non-Invasive Therapies

Innovative non-invasive treatments are being explored, such as:

  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
  • Acupuncture and acupressure techniques
  • Biofeedback therapy

Genetic Studies

Scientists are investigating whether there may be genetic factors that predispose certain individuals to frequent or persistent hiccups. This research could lead to more personalized treatment approaches in the future.

What promising developments are on the horizon for hiccup treatment? While research is ongoing, some exciting areas of investigation include the use of neurostimulation devices, the development of more targeted medications with fewer side effects, and the exploration of integrative approaches that combine conventional and complementary therapies.

In conclusion, while hiccups remain a common and often mysterious occurrence, our understanding of their causes, effects, and potential treatments continues to grow. From simple home remedies to cutting-edge medical interventions, the range of options for managing hiccups is expanding. As research progresses, we may soon have even more effective strategies for preventing and treating this universal human experience.

Hiccups – NHS

Most people get hiccups sometimes. They should only last a few minutes. You can usually wait for them to go away or treat them yourself without seeing a GP.

Things you can do yourself to stop or prevent hiccups

Although many people find these things helpful for stopping hiccups, there’s no evidence that they work for everyone.

Do

  • breathe into a paper bag (do not put it over your head)

  • pull your knees up to your chest and lean forward

  • sip ice-cold water

  • swallow some granulated sugar

  • bite on a lemon or taste vinegar

  • hold your breath for a short time

Don’t

  • do not drink alcoholic, fizzy or hot drinks

  • do not chew gum or smoke – these can cause you to swallow air

  • do not eat spicy food

  • do not eat food very quickly

  • do not eat or drink something very cold immediately after something hot

Why we get hiccups

There’s often no obvious reason why you get hiccups, but some people find certain things trigger their hiccups, such as:

  • stress
  • strong emotions, like excitement
  • eating and drinking

In rare cases, hiccups that last longer than 48 hours can be due to a medical condition or a medicine you’re taking.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • hiccups last longer than 48 hours
  • hiccups come back very often and are affecting your life

Treatment for hiccups from a GP

A GP will want to find out if your hiccups are caused by a health condition or medicine you’re taking.

Treating the condition or changing your medicine should stop your hiccups.

If there’s no obvious cause, they might be able to prescribe a medicine called chlorpromazine to treat your hiccups. This does not work for everyone.

Page last reviewed: 23 June 2023
Next review due: 23 June 2026

How to Make Them Stop and More

Hiccups are caused by the diaphragm involuntarily contracting. Some common causes for this contraction include drinking carbonated beverages, eating a large meal, swallowing too much air, or stress.

Hiccups are repetitive, uncontrollable contractions of the diaphragm, the muscle structure just below your lungs.

The diaphragm marks the boundary between your chest and abdomen, and it also regulates breathing. When your diaphragm contracts, your lungs take in oxygen. When your diaphragm relaxes, your lungs release carbon dioxide.

The diaphragm contracting out of rhythm is what causes hiccups. Each spasm of the diaphragm makes the larynx (voice box) and vocal cords close suddenly. This results in a sudden rush of air into the lungs. Your body reacts with a gasp or chirp, creating the sound characteristic of hiccups.

There’s no way to anticipate hiccups. With each spasm, there’s usually a slight tightening of the chest or throat prior to you making the distinctive hiccup sound.

Most cases of hiccups start and end abruptly, for no noticeable reason. Episodes generally last only a few minutes.

Did you know?

The medical term for hiccups is singultus.

Numerous causes of hiccups have been identified. However, there’s no definitive list of triggers. Hiccups often come and go for no apparent reason.

Common causes of short-term hiccups may include:

  • overeating
  • eating spicy food
  • consuming alcohol
  • drinking carbonated beverages, like sodas
  • consuming very hot or very cold foods
  • a sudden change in air temperature
  • aerophagia, which is swallowing too much air
  • swallowing air while chewing gum
  • excitement or emotional stress

There are several factors that can increase your likelihood of developing hiccups. You may be more susceptible if you:

  • are male
  • experience intense mental or emotional responses, ranging from anxiety to excitement
  • have had surgery, especially abdominal surgery
  • have received general anesthesia

Hiccups and your baby

Hiccups can occur at any age. They can even occur while a fetus is still in the womb.

Hiccups are also normal in newborns, are rarely bothersome for them, and don’t typically require home remedies or treatment.

Was this helpful?

Most hiccups aren’t an emergency or anything to worry about. However, a prolonged episode can be uncomfortable and disruptive to your daily life.

Contact a doctor if you have hiccups that last longer than 2 days. The doctor can determine the severity of your hiccups in relation to your overall health and other conditions.

There are numerous options for treating hiccups. Typically, a short-term case of hiccups will take care of itself. However, the discomfort may make waiting out hiccups unbearable if they last longer than a few minutes.

Home remedies

Not all of these have been proven to stop hiccups, but you can try the following potential treatments for hiccups at home:

  • Breathe into a paper bag.
  • Eat a teaspoon of granulated sugar.
  • Hold your breath.
  • Drink a glass of cold water.
  • Pull on your tongue.
  • Lift your uvula, which is the fleshy piece of tissue that’s suspended above the back of your throat, with a spoon.
  • Attempt to purposefully gasp or belch.
  • Bring your knees to your chest and maintain this position.
  • Try the Valsalva maneuver by shutting your mouth and nose and exhaling forcibly.
  • Relax and breathe in a slow, controlled manner.

Medications

Treating any underlying causes of your hiccups will usually make them go away.

If your hiccups last for a while and have no obvious cause, a doctor may recommend several anti-hiccup medications. The more commonly used medications include:

  • antipsychotic medications chlorpromazine and haloperidol
  • benzodiazepines, a class of tranquilizers
  • seizure medications, such as gabapentin (Neurontin)
  • diphenhydramine (Benadryl), an antihistamine
  • metoclopramide (Reglan), an anti-nausea drug
  • baclofen, a muscle relaxant
  • nifedipine (Procardia, Procardia XL), a blood pressure medication

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved any prescription medications for the treatment of hiccups. If a doctor recommends any of the prescription medications above, it’ll be an example of off-label drug use.

Off-label drug use

Off-label drug use means a drug that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for one purpose is used for a different purpose that hasn’t yet been approved.

However, a doctor can still use the drug for that purpose. This is because the FDA regulates the testing and approval of drugs, but not how doctors use them to treat their patients. So your doctor can prescribe a medication however they think is best for your care.

Massage

A doctor may perform a carotid sinus massage to help stop long lasting hiccups. This involves rubbing the main carotid artery in the neck.

Invasive procedures

There are also more invasive options, which can be used to end extreme cases of hiccups. They include:

  • nasogastric intubation, which is the insertion of a tube through your nose into your stomach
  • gastric lavage (stomach pumping)
  • an anesthetic injection to block the phrenic nerve, which is located in the diaphragm
  • surgical implantation of a diaphragmatic pacemaker, a battery-powered device that stimulates your diaphragm and regulates breathing

Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours are considered persistent. Hiccups that last longer than 2 months are considered intractable, or difficult to manage.

These types of long-term hiccups are categorized by the type of irritant that caused the episode.

Nerve injury or irritation

The majority of persistent hiccups are caused by injury or irritation to either the vagus or phrenic nerve. The vagus and phrenic nerves control the movement of your diaphragm. These nerves may be affected by:

  • irritation of your eardrum, which may be caused by a foreign object
  • throat irritation or soreness
  • goiter
  • gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • an esophageal cyst or tumor

Central nervous system (CNS) damage

Other causes of hiccups may involve the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord. If the CNS is damaged, your body may lose the ability to control hiccups.

CNS damage that may lead to persistent hiccups includes:

  • stroke
  • multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • tumors
  • head trauma or brain injury
  • meningitis and encephalitis, which are infections that can cause swelling in the brain
  • hydrocephalus, or the accumulation of fluid on the brain
  • neurosyphilis and other brain infections

Other causes

Hiccups that last for longer periods can also be caused by:

  • misuse of alcohol
  • tobacco use
  • a reaction to anesthesia after surgery
  • certain classes of medications, including barbiturates, steroids, and tranquilizers
  • electrolyte imbalance
  • diabetes
  • kidney failure
  • arteriovenous malformation, a condition in which arteries and veins are tangled in the brain
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • cancer and chemotherapy treatments

Medical procedures

Sometimes, a medical procedure can accidentally cause you to develop long-term hiccups. These procedures are used to treat or diagnose other conditions and include:

  • use of catheters to access the heart muscle
  • placement of an esophageal stent to prop open the esophagus
  • bronchoscopy, in which a doctor uses a thin, lighted tube with a camera on the end to examine your lungs and airways
  • tracheostomy, or the creation of a surgical opening in the neck to allow breathing around an airway obstruction

Diagnosis

If the cause of your hiccups is unclear, a doctor may recommend tests. These can help detect any underlying disease or condition.

The following tests may be useful in determining the cause of persistent or intractable hiccups:

  • blood tests to identify signs of infection, diabetes, or kidney disease
  • liver function tests
  • imaging of the diaphragm with a chest X-ray, CT scan, or MRI
  • echocardiogram to assess heart function
  • endoscopy, in which a doctor uses a thin, lighted tube with a camera on the end to investigate your esophagus, windpipe, stomach, and intestine
  • bronchoscopy

A long-term episode of hiccups can be uncomfortable and even harmful to your health. If left untreated, prolonged hiccups can disturb your sleeping and eating patterns, leading to:

  • sleeplessness
  • exhaustion
  • malnutrition
  • weight loss
  • dehydration

There’s no proven method for preventing hiccups. However, if you experience hiccups frequently, you can try to reduce your exposure to known triggers.

Following this advice may also help reduce your susceptibility to hiccups:

  • Try not to overeat.
  • Avoid carbonated beverages.
  • Protect yourself from sudden temperature changes.
  • Don’t drink alcohol.
  • Remain calm, and try to avoid intense emotional or physical reactions.

Hiccups have a wide range of possible triggers, from drinking soda and eating certain foods to medication use and underlying conditions. A number of possible treatments are also available.

In rare instances, hiccups can last longer than 48 hours. If your hiccups last longer than 48 hours, don’t respond to treatment, or you aren’t sure what’s causing them, see a doctor for a diagnosis.

Also, see a doctor or seek emergency help if you’re having numbness and coordination issues alongside your persistent hiccups. These may be symptoms of a stroke.

Causes and Quick Remedies

Hiccups: Causes and Quick Remedies

  • Medical appointments

  • Syphilidologist
  • INFECTIONIST
  • Dermatologist
  • Therapist
  • Cardiologist
  • Oncologist
  • Endocrinologist
  • Neurologist
  • Medical certificates
  • Ultrasound diagnostics – ultrasound
  • Functional diagnostics
  • Urologist
  • Venereologist
  • Parasitologist
  • Mammologist
  • All services

  • Diagnosis

  • Gynecology
  • Dermatovenereology
  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Oncology
  • Therapy
  • Urology
  • Endocrinology
  • Infectology

  • Treatment

  • A
  • B
  • to
  • D
  • D
  • E
  • Yo
  • F
  • Z
  • and
  • Y
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • H
  • O
  • P
  • P
  • C
  • T
  • W
  • F
  • X
  • C
  • H
  • W
  • SC
  • E
  • Yu
  • I

COVID

Full range of medical care for COVID virus infection

CHECK-UP

Full range of complex medical diagnostics

Tests

take tests at affordable prices

Drugs 9013 1

specialized pharmacy

Online

specialist consultation

DISCOUNTS

Only profitable offers for you!

St. Petersburg, Ivana Chernykh st., 25A

Mon.-Sat. from 9:00 – 20:00, sun. from 10:00 – 18:00

  • home
  • •
  • News
  • •
  • Useful
  • •

  • Hiccups: Causes and Quick Remedies

Hiccuping is an uncontrolled physiological reaction, in the development of which the phrenic nerve, vagus nerve, and centers of the brain are involved. During hiccups, the intercostal and diaphragmatic muscles tighten, as when inhaling, but the airways overlap, so there is a short breath hold. People hiccup with a characteristic sound, which is caused by the sharp closing of the vocal folds.

Why hiccups occur

Hiccups help to remove excess air from the stomach, so its periodic appearance is not considered a problem. It can occur with a hasty meal, talking while eating. Also, the symptom occurs during laughter, accompanied by a series of quick breaths and overflow of the stomach with air.

The second physiological reason for the appearance of hiccups is irritation of the fibers of the phrenic and vagus nerves, which triggers a specific reflex. The situation most often occurs when the stomach is overdistended with a large amount of food, when swallowing large pieces that hardly pass through the esophagus, after taking spicy, too hot or cold food. In some people, hiccups are provoked by hypothermia, stress, and drinking alcohol.

Long-term hiccups that occur frequently and without association with typical precipitating factors usually indicate a health problem. Possible causes of an unpleasant symptom:

● gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diaphragmatic hernia and other diseases of the esophagus;

● diseases of the liver, pancreas, stomach and intestines;

● diseases of the chest organs – pleurisy, pneumonia, pericarditis, myocardial infarction;

● pathology of the nervous system: encephalitis, intracranial hypertension, traumatic brain injury, tumors of the posterior cranial fossa.

How to deal with hiccups

There are quite a few ways to quickly eliminate hiccups:

● breath holding for 20-30 s;

● a series of deep and slow breaths;

● drinking several sips of water;

● torso tilt forward;

● sucking on an ice cube;

● eating a piece of lemon or other product with a sharp taste;

● inhalation of ammonia;

● pulling the tongue forward for a few seconds.

These simple actions have one of two goals: to stimulate the vagus nerve to stop pathological impulses, or to increase the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood, as a result of which the nervous regulation of the respiratory system normalizes. Usually a person needs to try several methods and choose the most suitable for himself.

Short-term hiccups pass without a trace and do not have a negative effect on the body, so it is not at all necessary to use the above methods. The person may simply wait a few minutes for the symptom to subside and then return to daily activities.

When to see a doctor

Hiccups that last for several hours and do not disappear after all the methods described in the previous section may be one of the first signs of an organic disease. In such a situation, patients are advised to visit a doctor in order to exclude or confirm the presence of a pathology, to start treatment on time.

The initial consultation is conducted by an ID-Clinic therapist who receives patients at the clinic and provides online consultations via video link. The doctor will analyze the symptoms, ask clarifying questions, refer you for an extended examination and consultation of highly specialized specialists, if necessary.

Tags:

symptoms

Doctor’s consultation

Making an appointment with an ID-Clinic therapist takes a couple of minutes – leave a request in the feedback form, and our administrator will call you back to clarify the details.

Inspection

B01.047.007

Reception (examination, consultation) of a general practitioner at home

6000 ₽

B01.047.002

Appointment (examination, consultation) with a general practitioner, 30 min.

2500 ₽

Online GP consultation

3000 ₽

B01.047.001

Appointment (examination, consultation) with a general practitioner, 60 min.

3000 ₽

Make an appointment

St. Petersburg, Ivan Chernykh st., 25A

Mon-Sat 09.00-20.00, Sun 10.00-18.00

By clicking the button you agree to the terms of the Privacy Policy

  • Lavrenchuk Dmitry Vadimovich

    Infectionist,
    Hepatologist,
    Therapist,
    PhD