Hiccups | MedlinePlus

Also called: Hiccough

What are hiccups?

Have you ever wondered what is happening when you hiccup? There are two parts to a hiccup. The first is an involuntary movement of your diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle at the base of your lungs. It is the main muscle used for breathing. The second part of a hiccup is a quick closing of your vocal cords. This is what causes the “hic” sound you make.

What causes hiccups?

Hiccups can start and stop for no obvious reason. But they often happen when something irritates your diaphragm, such as:

• Eating too quickly
• Eating too much
• Eating hot or spicy foods
• Drinking alcohol
• Drinking carbonated drinks
• Diseases that irritate the nerves that control the diaphragm
• Feeling nervous or excited
• A bloated stomach
• Certain medicines
• Abdominal surgery
• Metabolic disorders
• Central nervous system disorders

How can I get rid of hiccups?

Hiccups usually go away on their own after a few minutes. You have probably heard different suggestions about how to cure hiccups. There is no proof that they work, but they are not harmful, so you could try them. They include:

• Breathing into a paper bag
• Drinking or sipping a glass of cold water
• Holding your breath
• Gargling with ice water

What are the treatments for chronic hiccups?

Some people have chronic hiccups. This means that the hiccups last more than a few days or keep coming back. Chronic hiccups can interfere with your sleep, eating, drinking, and talking. If you have chronic hiccups, contact your health care provider. If you have a condition that is causing the hiccups, treating that condition may help. Otherwise, treatment options include medicines, surgery, and other procedures.

• Chronic Hiccup

  (Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center)

• Hiccups

  (Medical Encyclopedia)

  Also in Spanish

• Hiccups

  (Merck & Co. , Inc.)

  Also in Spanish

• What Causes Hiccups?

  (Nemours Foundation)

  Also in Spanish

• ClinicalTrials. gov: Hiccup

  (National Institutes of Health)

• Article: Hiccups due to Chiari type I malformation.

• Article: What percentage of patients with cancer develop hiccups with oxaliplatin- or. ..

• Article: A randomized, double-blinded feasibility trial of educational materials for hiccups in…

• Hiccups — see more articles

Hiccups: Causes, treatments, and complications

Hiccups happen when a person’s intake of air becomes momentarily blocked. Possible causes include having gas in the stomach, eating spicy food, and having an underlying health condition.

When a hiccup forms, it is because of a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm at the same time as a contraction of the voice box, or larynx, and the total closure of the glottis, which is where the vocal cords are located. As a result, there is a sudden rush of air into the lungs, accompanied by the familiar “hic” sound.

Hiccups are medically known as synchronous diaphragmatic flutter or singultus. They can occur individually or in bouts. They are often rhythmic, meaning that the interval between each hiccup is relatively constant.

Most people have hiccups from time to time, and they usually resolve without treatment within a few minutes.

Rarely, there may be prolonged or chronic hiccups, which can last for a month or longer. Hiccups that last for longer than 2 months are known as intractable hiccups.

If a bout of hiccups lasts for longer than 48 hours, this is considered persistent, and the person should contact a doctor. This tends to be more common in men than women and could signify a more serious medical condition.

Fast facts on hiccups

• The exact cause of hiccups remains unclear, but experts have linked chronic hiccups to a wide range of conditions, including stroke and gastrointestinal problems.
• Most cases resolve without treatment, but prolonged hiccups can lead to complications such as insomnia and depression.
• If hiccups last for longer than 48 hours, the person should contact a doctor, who may prescribe muscle relaxants.
• Avoiding alcohol and not eating too quickly can reduce the chance of experiencing hiccups.

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The National Organization for Rare Disorders describes hiccups as “an involuntary spasmodic contraction of the muscle at the base of the lungs (diaphragm) followed by the rapid closure of the vocal cords.”

A wide range of underlying conditions can trigger chronic or persistent hiccups.

Exactly how or why short bouts of hiccups happen remains unclear, but experts have linked some factors to a higher chance of experiencing them. The sections below look at some of these factors in more detail.

Lifestyle factors

The following may trigger hiccups:

• eating hot or spicy food that irritates the phrenic nerve, which is located near the esophagus
• having gas in the stomach that presses against the diaphragm
• eating too much or causing stomach distension
• drinking sodas, hot liquids, or alcoholic drinks, especially carbonated drinks
• experiencing stress or strong emotions

Some medications — such as opiates, benzodiazepines, anesthesia, corticosteroids, barbiturates, and methyldopa — can also cause hiccups.

Medical conditions

Often, hiccups occur unexpectedly, and neither the person nor the doctor can identify their likely cause.

However, doctors have linked chronic hiccups to several conditions. These include:

• gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, a small bowel obstruction, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• respiratory conditions, such as pleurisy of the diaphragm, pneumonia, or asthma
• excessive and habitual consumption of alcohol
• conditions that affect the central nervous system, such as a traumatic brain injury, encephalitis, a brain tumor, or a stroke
• conditions that irritate the vagus nerve, such as meningitis, pharyngitis, or goiter
• psychological reactions, including grief, excitement, anxiety, stress, and shock
• conditions that affect metabolism, including hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and diabetes
• liver and kidney problems
• cancer, either as a result of damage caused by the condition or as a side effect of the treatment, such as chemotherapy
• conditions of the autonomic nervous system, which also affects breathing, sweating, the heartbeat, hiccups, and coughing

Other conditions that may be related to hiccups include bladder irritation, liver cancer, pancreatitis, pregnancy, and hepatitis. Surgical procedures and lesions may also be risk factors.

Infants may experience hiccups more frequently during or after feeding, as they may swallow food too quickly or overfeed. Hiccups could also be a sign of an infant being full. Therefore, pediatricians typically recommend short feeds with burping breaks.

Hiccups may also occur due to an infant’s breathing and swallowing not yet being in sync. In turn, this can cause an infant to draw breath and swallow, which can produce a hiccup.

Hiccups in infants may also result from changes in stomach temperature. For example, this may be the case if they consume a cold drink then have something warm to eat.

Generally, hiccups tend to be a sign of healthy growth and development. However, frequent hiccups may also result from GERD, which is a common and easily treatable condition in infants.

Hiccups alone are not a sign of reflux. Some other possible symptoms in infants with suspected GERD include:

• crying more frequently
• arching the back excessively during or after feeds
• spitting up more often than usual

Parents and caregivers should consult a pediatrician if they notice that their infant is experiencing several symptoms and suspect that reflux may be causing them.

Most cases of hiccups go away after a few minutes or hours with no medical treatment. If they persist, however, a person should contact a doctor. The following tips may help, but their effectiveness remains unclear.

Tips for getting rid of hiccups

The following tips may help get rid of hiccups:

• Sip ice-cold water slowly or gargle with very cold water.
• Hold the breath for a short time, then breathe out. Do this three or four times every 20 minutes.
• While swallowing, place gentle pressure on the nose.
• Place gentle pressure on the diaphragm.
• Bite on a lemon.
• Swallow some granulated sugar.
• Take a tiny amount of vinegar, just enough to taste.
• Breathe in and out of a paper bag. Never use a plastic bag for this, and never cover the head with the bag.
• Sit down and hug the knees as close to the chest as possible for a short time.
• Lean forward to compress the chest gently.
• Try an alternative remedy, such as acupuncture or hypnosis.
• Gently pull on the tongue.
• Rub the eyes.
• Gently touch one finger to the throat to try to trigger a gag reflex.

Many of these tips have been passed down through generations. They may be effective for some people, but there has been little research to support their use.

Medications

If a person has an underlying condition, managing it will probably resolve the hiccups.

If prolonged hiccups are interfering with a person’s quality of life, a doctor may prescribe a medication.

Chlorpromazine is the first-line treatment, as it is the only medication with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to treat hiccups.

A doctor may recommend the following medications for hiccups if there appears to be no underlying condition:

• metoclopramide (Reglan), which is an antinausea medication that may help some people with hiccups
• baclofen (Lioresal), which is a muscle relaxant (off-label use)
• gabapentin, which is an antiseizure medication that doctors commonly prescribe for neuropathic pain and that can help alleviate the symptoms of hiccups (off-label use)

Ephedrine or ketamine can treat hiccups related to anesthesia or surgery.

For hiccups, doctors usually prescribe a low-dose, 2-week course of medication. They may gradually increase the amount until the hiccups are gone. The course and dosage will depend on the severity of the hiccups, the person’s general health, and age.

Surgery

In severe cases that do not respond to other treatments, a surgeon may inject medication into the phrenic nerve to temporarily block the nerve’s action or sever the phrenic nerve in the neck.

Prolonged hiccups can lead to complications such as:

• Weight loss and dehydration: If the hiccups are long term and occur at short intervals, it can become difficult to eat.
• Insomnia: If prolonged hiccups persist during the sleeping hours, it can be hard to fall asleep or stay asleep.
• Fatigue: Prolonged hiccups can be exhausting, especially if they make it hard to sleep or eat.
• Communication problems: It can be difficult for the person to speak if they have hiccups.
• Depression: Long-term hiccups can increase the risk of developing clinical depression.
• Delayed wound healing: Persistent hiccups can make it harder for post-surgical wounds to heal, thereby increasing the risk of infections or bleeding after surgery.

Other potential complications include an irregular heartbeat and GERD.

Hiccups that last for under 48 hours do not usually need any medical attention because they typically resolve on their own. If they persist for longer than this, the person should consult a doctor.

The doctor may ask:

• when the hiccups began
• how often they occur
• if they are happening all the time
• what the person was doing before the hiccups started

They will likely perform a general physical examination and a neurological exam to check the person’s:

• reflexes
• balance
• coordination
• eyesight
• sense of touch
• muscle strength
• muscle tone

If an underlying condition may be the cause, the doctor may order the following tests:

• blood tests to check for infections, kidney disease, or diabetes
• imaging tests — such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan — to assess for any anatomical irregularities that may be affecting the phrenic or vagus nerves or the diaphragm
• an endoscopic test, in which a healthcare professional passes an endoscope — which is a flexible tube with a small camera at the end — down the person’s throat to check the windpipe or esophagus
• en electrocardiogram to check for heart-related conditions by measuring electrical activity in the heart

Some causes of hiccups are preventable. A few ways to reduce the chance of experiencing hiccups include:

• avoiding sudden changes in temperature
• not drinking alcohol or sodas
• eating moderately and not too quickly

Most hiccups are brief and go away after a short while. However, if they persist or cause worrying symptoms, the person should contact a doctor.

Why a person hiccups and how to get rid of hiccups at home

Hiccups are usually short-lived, but sometimes a constantly repeated reflex becomes annoying. How to explain the sudden shudder of the whole body, accompanied by characteristic sounds, and is this physiological phenomenon so safe?

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Why do we hiccup and when hiccups can indicate serious health problems.

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Hiccups seem to be a harmless reflex that causes laughter from others and gives you only a short-term discomfort. However, this reaction of the body should be taken more seriously – and here’s why.

What happens to the body when you hiccup?

Hiccups are a normal reflex of the body, like sneezing or coughing. It is needed in order to rid the stomach of excess air.

A person begins to hiccup when the diaphragm and chest muscles contract sharply. The spasm causes the glottis to close, and the air ejected from the lungs is accompanied by an involuntary sound.

Causes of hiccups

Believe me, hiccups do not occur because someone you know remembers you. However, it can be associated with both physiological and emotional reasons. Here are a few highlights:

• overeating or eating too fast;
• consumption of carbonated drinks or large amounts of alcohol;
• stress or anxiety;
• sudden change in temperature;
• swallowing air while sucking on candy or chewing gum.

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Why is hiccups dangerous?

Usually the hiccups do not last longer than a couple of minutes, but in rare cases the phenomenon may be delayed. There are cases of chronic hiccups, when its episodes lasted for 48 hours.

Doctors associate prolonged urges with irritation of the phrenic nerve or damage to the nerves of the chest. Such problems are the result of various diseases. For example, inflammation of the eardrum, pneumonia, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, mediastinal tumors. Persistent hiccups can also occur with a brain stroke, head injuries. There is also a possibility that a prolonged reflex indicates gastrointestinal disorders, pathologies of the cardiovascular system, metabolic disorders, or autoimmune diseases.

Only the attending physician can figure out the exact causes of incessant hiccups after a personal consultation, study of tests and examination results.

It is necessary to contact a specialist if:

• hiccups do not stop for a long time – last an hour or more;
• attacks are constantly repeated several times a day or during a week;
• in addition to hiccups, there are other unpleasant symptoms: heartburn, chest pain, shortness of breath, indigestion, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, restless sleep.

How do I deal with hiccups?

There is no one-size-fits-all, scientifically proven cure for hiccups that is guaranteed to work. But there are safe ways that can be useful at home.

1. Hold your breath: this will help increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the lungs, which will cause the diaphragm to relax.
2. Take a paper bag and try to breathe slowly by putting it to your mouth.
3. Bend over and take a few sips of cool water from a glass.
4. Hold a piece of lemon or lime in your mouth.

What processes in the body are indicated by hiccups, yawns and stretching?

What processes in the body signal hiccups, yawning and stretching?

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November 12, 2015

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Yawning

The reason for this is hypoxia, when the brain lacks oxygen. That is why we need not a simple, but a forced breath (strong and deep), during a yawn we inhale much more air than with a normal breath. The airways open up and a significant amount of oxygen quickly enters the bloodstream. Why do we yawn when we want to sleep or are tired? From fatigue, an excess of carbon dioxide accumulates in the tissues, the same hypoxia. We also yawn when we’re bored and need to do something we don’t feel like doing. So, we work “through I don’t want to”, we get tired much faster. And again – fatigue and yawning to get oxygen.

Why is it transmitted? Someone yawned – and everyone starts after him. Psychologists say that we inherited this reflex from our ancestors: everyone yawned, as if on command, from ancient times, when a tribe of primitive people went to bed at the same time. True, this is just a theory.

Sneeze

This is a defensive reaction. Dust accumulates in the nasal cavity, the mucosa dries, nerve endings are irritated, and a sneeze occurs – a sharp exhalation that helps to throw everything superfluous out of the nose so that no debris enters the nasopharynx further. By the way, the speed of exhaled air during a sneeze is 130 km per hour. If a person sneezes two or three times in a row, it’s okay. But if more than 10, then there is already a problem. Most likely, swelling on the nasal mucosa. The body perceives it as an irritant and tries to get rid of it. If you sneeze many times in a row, try vasoconstrictor drops, they will help relieve swelling.

Stretching

This is how the body prepares the muscles for physical activity. Have you followed cats? They never get up immediately after sleep, but first stretch with all their paws, restore blood circulation before taking a step. Sipping not only wakes you up in the morning. From fatigue, lactic acid accumulates in the muscles, and in order to disperse it, you need to stretch the muscles, just like after a workout.

Hiccups

Small children hiccup when they are cold, thirsty or overeaten. In adults, this is a signal that something is wrong in digestion. Most likely, a person ate too much, greedily and quickly, and poorly chewed large pieces irritate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain along the pharynx and esophagus to the diaphragm and stomach. This nerve sends signals to the muscle fibers of the esophagus and stomach, causing spasms. With their help, the body, as during a sneeze, tries to get rid of the swelling of the esophageal mucosa.

How to beat hiccups? It depends on the reason. Drinking cold liquids in small sips will save you from “drunk” hiccups, holding your breath can help from hiccups due to overeating. Both the one and the other way inhibits irritation of the vagus nerve. But it’s definitely not worth scaring the hiccuping. This method of “treatment” is not approved by doctors.

Falling asleep, we shudder

It happens that, falling into a dream, we suddenly wake up abruptly, because the arms and legs twitch by themselves. This is fine. The fact is that breathing calms down, the pulse slows down, the muscles relax, and the body is afraid that we can fall asleep … completely. And with this very shudder, the brain wakes us up, makes us resume normal breathing so that it is not too rare. Here is such a constant control.

“Old fingers”

When we lie in the bath for a long time or wash something, the pads of the fingers become wrinkled. Children love to look at drawings on “old fingers”. It is believed that these patterns appear on the skin so that the fingers and toes in the water become more tenacious and do not slip. In fact, everything is much simpler. The skin on the balls of the fingers and heels is four times thicker than on other parts of the body. Therefore, it absorbs water better and swells.

Goosebumps

“Goosebumps” occurs when we are cold, but sometimes the music or the film is impressive “goosebumps”. Everything is explained simply, and again by the heritage of the ancients. They had thicker hair. And when our ancestors were cold or frightened, the hair on their body stood on end (for warmth, fluffiness and intimidation). The wool has fallen out over the centuries, so we, fortunately, got only goosebumps.

Let’s sweat

Sweating is a normal reaction to heat.