Why do i hiccup a lot: Hiccups – Symptoms and causes
Hiccups – Better Health Channel
Summary
Read the full fact sheet
- Hiccups, or hiccoughs, are involuntary sounds made by spasms of the diaphragm.
- Hiccups are usually harmless and resolve by themselves after a few minutes.
- In some cases, prolonged hiccups that last for days or weeks may be symptomatic of underlying disorders.
Hiccups, or hiccoughs, are involuntary sounds made by spasms of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a large sheet of muscle slung beneath the lungs that, together with the intercostal muscles, causes us to breathe. The muscular spasm of these muscles sucks air into the lungs, and the quick inhalation makes a structure inside the throat (called the epiglottis) slam shut. (The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that closes over the windpipe during swallowing to prevent the inhalation of food, fluids or saliva.) This sharp closure of the epiglottis causes the characteristic ‘hic’ sound of hiccups.
Generally, hiccups resolve by themselves after a few minutes, but prolonged hiccups that last for days or weeks may be symptomatic of underlying disorders. Certain drugs, including epilepsy medications, can make a person more prone to hiccups.
Symptoms of hiccups
The symptoms of hiccups include:
- A sharp contraction or spasm of the diaphragm that is felt just below the breastbone.
- Air is involuntarily sucked into the throat.
- The closing epiglottis makes a ‘hic’ sound.
- Hiccups usually stop after a few minutes.
Cause of hiccups
The muscular activity of the diaphragm is controlled by nerves. Hiccups occur when particular stimuli trigger the nerves to send the diaphragm into spasms. It is not known why this occurs.
Triggers of hiccups
The cause of hiccups is often unknown and there may be no apparent trigger. Various triggers, particularly those that cause pressure on the diaphragm, are known to prompt an attack of hiccups in some people from time to time.
Some of these triggers include:
- Eating food too quickly
- Hot or spicy foods
- Indigestion
- Overconsumption of alcohol
- Fizzy drinks
- Cigarette smoking
- Stress
- Bad odours
- Pregnancy.
Self-help strategies
Hiccups are harmless and usually resolve by themselves in a few minutes. Some hiccup ‘cures’ include:
- Hold your breath
- Take deep breaths
- Breathe into a paper bag
- Eat a bit of fresh ginger
- Suck on a lemon
- Have a hot water and honey drink
- Eat a spoonful of sugar
- Drink a glass of water slowly
- Eat ice
- Gargle
- Sit down and lean forward over your knees
- Ask someone to give you a fright.
Hiccups may be symptomatic of disease
Hiccups that last for days, weeks or even years may be symptomatic of underlying disease. Certain lung or brain disorders can sometimes interfere with the functioning of the diaphragm and make the person prone to hiccups.
Hiccups may also be a side effect of surgery or particular medications.
Some of the diseases, conditions and drugs that may prompt frequent or prolonged attacks of hiccups include:
- Oesophagitis (inflammation of the oesophagus)
- An overactive thyroid gland
- Pleurisy (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the lungs)
- Pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs)
- Kidney disease
- Brain damage, such as stroke or tumour, that affects the area of the brain which controls the diaphragm
- Abdominal surgery
- Chest surgery
- Certain epilepsy medications
- Nicotine gum
Medical treatment
Prolonged hiccups should be medically investigated. Treatment options may include:
- Treatment for the underlying disorder
- Changes to current drug dosages
- Switching to another form of nicotine therapy
- Anti-spasmodic drugs to calm the diaphragm
- A tube inserted into the nose (nasogastric intubation)
- A nerve block
- Surgery, to sever some of the nerves servicing the diaphragm.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
Things to remember
- Hiccups, or hiccoughs, are involuntary sounds made by spasms of the diaphragm.
- Hiccups are usually harmless and resolve by themselves after a few minutes.
- In some cases, prolonged hiccups that last for days or weeks may be symptomatic of underlying disorders.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved
by:
Hiccups – Better Health Channel
Summary
Read the full fact sheet
- Hiccups, or hiccoughs, are involuntary sounds made by spasms of the diaphragm.
- Hiccups are usually harmless and resolve by themselves after a few minutes.
- In some cases, prolonged hiccups that last for days or weeks may be symptomatic of underlying disorders.
Hiccups, or hiccoughs, are involuntary sounds made by spasms of the diaphragm.
The diaphragm is a large sheet of muscle slung beneath the lungs that, together with the intercostal muscles, causes us to breathe. The muscular spasm of these muscles sucks air into the lungs, and the quick inhalation makes a structure inside the throat (called the epiglottis) slam shut. (The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that closes over the windpipe during swallowing to prevent the inhalation of food, fluids or saliva.) This sharp closure of the epiglottis causes the characteristic ‘hic’ sound of hiccups.
Generally, hiccups resolve by themselves after a few minutes, but prolonged hiccups that last for days or weeks may be symptomatic of underlying disorders. Certain drugs, including epilepsy medications, can make a person more prone to hiccups.
Symptoms of hiccups
The symptoms of hiccups include:
- A sharp contraction or spasm of the diaphragm that is felt just below the breastbone.
- Air is involuntarily sucked into the throat.
- The closing epiglottis makes a ‘hic’ sound.
- Hiccups usually stop after a few minutes.
Cause of hiccups
The muscular activity of the diaphragm is controlled by nerves. Hiccups occur when particular stimuli trigger the nerves to send the diaphragm into spasms. It is not known why this occurs.
Triggers of hiccups
The cause of hiccups is often unknown and there may be no apparent trigger. Various triggers, particularly those that cause pressure on the diaphragm, are known to prompt an attack of hiccups in some people from time to time. Some of these triggers include:
- Eating food too quickly
- Hot or spicy foods
- Indigestion
- Overconsumption of alcohol
- Fizzy drinks
- Cigarette smoking
- Stress
- Bad odours
- Pregnancy.
Self-help strategies
Hiccups are harmless and usually resolve by themselves in a few minutes. Some hiccup ‘cures’ include:
- Hold your breath
- Take deep breaths
- Breathe into a paper bag
- Eat a bit of fresh ginger
- Suck on a lemon
- Have a hot water and honey drink
- Eat a spoonful of sugar
- Drink a glass of water slowly
- Eat ice
- Gargle
- Sit down and lean forward over your knees
- Ask someone to give you a fright.
Hiccups may be symptomatic of disease
Hiccups that last for days, weeks or even years may be symptomatic of underlying disease. Certain lung or brain disorders can sometimes interfere with the functioning of the diaphragm and make the person prone to hiccups. Hiccups may also be a side effect of surgery or particular medications.
Some of the diseases, conditions and drugs that may prompt frequent or prolonged attacks of hiccups include:
- Oesophagitis (inflammation of the oesophagus)
- An overactive thyroid gland
- Pleurisy (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the lungs)
- Pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs)
- Kidney disease
- Brain damage, such as stroke or tumour, that affects the area of the brain which controls the diaphragm
- Abdominal surgery
- Chest surgery
- Certain epilepsy medications
- Nicotine gum
Medical treatment
Prolonged hiccups should be medically investigated.
Treatment options may include:
- Treatment for the underlying disorder
- Changes to current drug dosages
- Switching to another form of nicotine therapy
- Anti-spasmodic drugs to calm the diaphragm
- A tube inserted into the nose (nasogastric intubation)
- A nerve block
- Surgery, to sever some of the nerves servicing the diaphragm.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
Things to remember
- Hiccups, or hiccoughs, are involuntary sounds made by spasms of the diaphragm.
- Hiccups are usually harmless and resolve by themselves after a few minutes.
- In some cases, prolonged hiccups that last for days or weeks may be symptomatic of underlying disorders.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved
by:
Why does a person hiccup?
Andrei85
06/02/2006 17:13Answer
First read article on this site and I love it.
🙂Reply
Dimidrol
07/18/2006 17:19Answer
Informatively written! I knew about the contractions of the diaphragm, but for the first time I learned about the fact that these contractions relieve the load from the damaged vagus nerve! Thanks for the detailed answer! I’m starting to like this site more and more!
Reply
michus
09/11/2006 09:22Answer
But breathing into a bag, creating an excess of carbon dioxide, helps radically.
Reply
Altolm
michus 12.09.2006 16:09Answer
In my childhood, at the age of 9-12, I used to hiccup for whole days in a row and nothing helped, except for a qualitative, unexpected fright. All the methods listed in the note did not work.
Later, I found / collected several effective ways to deal with hiccups, but I have not heard of breathing into a bag, I’ll try. Thank you!
By the way, I read the first effective way in the magazine “Chemistry and Life” – The way of ballerinas: put your hands behind your back, take them as far as possible (like on a rack), bend over as much as possible and drink cool water in small sips (here you will need an assistant). They will always help, but it is difficult to cope alone.
There are methods associated with general or local relaxation, but experience is needed here.Reply
Gamble
michus 23.09.2006 22:22Answer
The package actually reduces the amount of oxygen by replacing carbon dioxide.
But they are used not from hiccups, but from the so-called. hyperventilation, nervous strain.Reply
michus
Gamble 25. 09.2006 22:22Answer
But it helps me.
Reply
rena
Gamble 26.09.2006 16:43Answer
in general, those who have hysteria are given to breathe into the bag. With frequent, shallow breathing, respiratory alkalosis (an imbalance of acid-base balance) is formed.
Reply
🙂
Later, I found / collected several effective ways to deal with hiccups, but I have not heard of breathing into a bag, I’ll try. Thank you! 
09.2006 22:22 Anna
30.01.2007 21:50
Answer
Eating something sweet helps with hiccups, other methods are ineffective for me.
Reply
Kirill N. Kravchenko
19.02.2007 22:35
Answer
Judging by what is written here, these are questions of human anatomy. Sometimes there are also surgical cases.
Reply
klinkoff
04/01/2007 20:56
Answer
This theory is supported when there are structural changes in this area (hiatus), but there are other reasons as well.
More often, hiccups of central origin, as a result of incorrect impulses of the respiratory center, which is well confirmed by the help option with the package. This allows you to “reload” the respiratory center, and achieve normal coordination of the respiratory muscles, to which the diaphragm belongs. A somewhat modified version of the “package”, but more effective from experience, is to hold the breath with a moderate amount of air in the lungs, do 10-15 squats, and then start to slowly inhale through the nose, avoiding sharp deep breaths, forming a normal rhythm and volume of breathing.
Reply
alexsb
28.04.2007 16:27
Answer
!
Reply
alexsb
28.04.2007 16:32
Answer
yes it’s all good! But what about when you are lying in bed in a relaxed position and suddenly this hiccups begin! And by the way, nothing except Corvalol helps.
I also heard that a spasm can go to the stomach and heart, my grandfather once hiccupped for 2 days, nothing helped, and my grandmother didn’t know what to do, it’s good that they are educated people and there was Tebet medicine in the library in one of the sections there was information that it is necessary to paste well the inside of both hands from the wrist to the elbow, she did it and after 30 minutes everything calmed down! but for me personally it is Corvalol!
Reply
popov
06/14/2007 08:27
Answer
And where does this opinion come from, that if a small child hiccups, then he is cold or froze?
Reply
entropy
08/30/2007 18:42
Answer
And my child starts to hiccup when he laughs 😉 At least don’t laugh at all.
And he hiccupped for a very long time (half an hour!) and very often when he was in my stomach (during the last months of pregnancy).
Was there no way to help him at all?
Reply
ayscha
07/03/2008 12:36
Answer
And I often start hiccuping after laughing!! How can this be explained?? How can this vagus nerve be affected during laughter? 🙂
Reply
Master
10.07.2008 18:48
Answer
Hiccups, like stretching, are an unconditioned reflex of the body to its internal problems. Hiccups can be caused by obstruction of food from the stomach to the intestines. (When hiccups, the body turns the contents of the stomach, trying to push it into the intestines.)
The causes of obstruction may be different, but, usually, hiccoughs are caused by malnutrition. Often hiccups are relieved by a couple of glasses of water. Water thins the contents of the stomach, helping it pass into the intestines.
Hiccups can be caused by an infection that causes inflammation and ulceration in the stomach and intestines.
Inflammation narrows the passage from the stomach to the intestines, which causes obstruction, and, as a result, hiccups.
Infection gets into the stomach, usually from unwashed glasses. It starts in the saliva that we leave on the glass when we drink from it. Conclusion: you need to follow the rule of hygiene.
In addition, boiled water suppresses the intestinal microflora, which allows an infection that does not meet competition to multiply in our body.
Conclusion: you need to drink more water, and raw water.
Reply
Form
Master 21.09.2008 20:20Answer
“boiled water suppresses the intestinal microflora … you need to drink more raw water” – complete nonsense
Reply
Master
Form 22.09.2008 12:16Answer
Do you know the difference between boiled water and raw water?
One weekend they show two programs about animals: “In the world of animals” and “dialogues about animals” by Ivan Zatevakhin, and in both they show the same monkeys – baboons.
In the first broadcast, the zookeeper complains, complains that these monkeys are prone to infectious diseases (they have constant diarrhea), and they (the zookeepers) are forced to thoroughly wash food and give the monkeys boiled water to drink.
In the second broadcast, the same baboons in nature at the equator drink from a “hoof” (from puddles that form in the tracks left by the cattle of local residents).
Imagine that “broth” of different unicellular organisms in these puddles in order to understand the obvious contradiction.
This is explained as follows: the monkeys that live in the zoo have an imbalance in the intestinal microflora, and the zookeepers are to blame for this, they are to blame for giving the monkeys boiled water.
Why does boiled water cause dysbacteriosis?
The fact is that: if you heat water to (approximately) 70C, then all the dissolved air will leave it. This is what boiled water differs from raw water, and it is the absence of dissolved air that leads to an imbalance in the microflora in the intestines, since not all the unicellular bacteria we need in the intestines are anaerobic bacteria.
The gentleman, who introduced himself on the ‘Form’ forum, states:
‘”boiled water suppresses the intestinal microflora … you need to drink more raw water” – complete nonsense’, but at the same time he refused to answer this question of mine (about boiled water). Obviously – does not know the answer.
Mister Form, you make statements, the categoricalness of which is based not on your qualifications as a scientist, but on a greatly inflated conceit.Reply
ursus russus
Master 25.05.200913:51Answer
Ie, for example, do you think hot tea causes dysbacteriosis?
Reply
ursus russus
Master 25.05.2009 13:54Answer
Ie, for example, do you think hot tea causes dysbacteriosis?
Reply
Master
ursusrussus 05/26/200900:17Answer
If you will consume exclusively boiled (and boiled) foods, then you are guaranteed dysbacteriosis.
But take comfort – but the worms in your intestines will not start up, because they breathe with the skin, and if oxygen does not enter the intestines with food, then they will not be able to live in your intestines. If you have these parasites, then drink boiled water, and the worms will leave themselves.
It is very harmful to eat food containing preservatives, because preservatives (very effectively) kill the intestinal microflora. Silver cutlery and dishes are also harmful, for the same reason.Reply
Seagull_JL
Master 11.08.2009 23:07Answer
The concept of dysbacteriosis is unscientific. It is absent in ICD-10. The rest of the conclusions in this post also have nothing to do with reality.
Reply
djanubis
Master 28.09.2009 16:30Answer
Oddly enough, silver appliances only kill DISEASE-causing microbes.
And if you have worms, then firstly don’t kiss your dog, and secondly, drink a tincture of hazelnut leaves and wormwood. As for doses, I don’t know.Reply
But take comfort – but the worms in your intestines will not start up, because they breathe with the skin, and if oxygen does not enter the intestines with food, then they will not be able to live in your intestines. If you have these parasites, then drink boiled water, and the worms will leave themselves. 
bazik
04.01.2009 14:56
Answer
A wonderful section, I will definitely need to replenish it when I talk with the children more … =)
I sometimes hiccup if I smoke. Don’t smoke though…
Reply
Evgen.m
24.07.2009 23:45
Answer
As a rule, hiccups only after excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, only sleep helps.
Reply
qwertyuiop
31.01.2010 16:04
Answer
The dumbest answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Reply
Saloed
10.
02.2010 14:45
Answer
I tried almost all methods against hiccups, until (perhaps by accident) I found a method that was 100% effective – the gag reflex. Two fingers in the mouth, there is a strong tension (which I won’t say), which should push out the contents of the stomach, but I don’t bring it to vomiting and that’s it, the hiccups are gone. I’ve only used it on myself, I don’t know how it will work on others.
Reply
samara
27.01.2011 01:55
Answer
God, what nonsense. vagus nerve yes ..))
but the matter is in the middle part of the brain, there is excitation to the reflex spasm of the diaphragm.
..as they say “it’s all in my head”
Reply
brown fox
13.12.2012 15:34
Answer
Origin of hiccups
Human EZI has shown that the fetal diaphragm produces movements similar to hiccups.
As a result, fluid circulation occurs. filling the lumen of future airways. The need for this is unknown, the authors of the study assume that in this way they are preparing for breathing after birth.
It can also be assumed that hiccups in children, which disappear with age, are the result of a gradual but insufficient inhibition of the stem reflex that has become unnecessary, activated by various mechanical factors. This explains the effect described here with irritation of the vagus, and cases that do not fit into this scheme.
In any case, this is how I roughly explain to students in my department of physiology of the 2nd medical school.
Reply
Kostja
11.09.2020 15:06
Answer
I read that tadpoles inherited hiccups – they quickly close their throats so as not to choke. Whom to believe?
Reply
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What does hiccup mean: why does a person hiccup
Published:
nur.kz/esoterics/signs/1869017-ikota-primeta-k-cemu-celovek-ikaet/”>Man covering his mouth with both hands: Freepik
Many consider hiccups to be a sign that someone is thinking about the person hiccuping at the moment. Is this so and how to interpret the phenomenon depending on when the hiccups occurred? Candidate of Medical Sciences Vladimir Vasilenko, preacher Shamil Alyautdinov and medical specialist Emilia N.
Moretto shared their opinion on this matter.
Reasons and signs why a person hiccups
Hiccups cause discomfort to people. The causes and signs associated with intermittent spasm allow us to better understand its nature and essence.
Why does a person hiccup? This is due to involuntary jerky contractions of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles caused by hypothermia, overeating, excess alcohol in the blood, irritation of the vagus and phrenic nerve, tumor formation in the abdominal cavity, damage to the central nervous system, ENT organs, gastrointestinal tract and metabolic functions.
The mechanism of hiccups is simple: there is a short inhalation without exhalation, which is accompanied by a short suffocation and a strangled sound associated with a sharp closure of the glottis. Candidate of Medical Sciences Vladimir Vasilenko believes that the cause of hiccups is the hasty swallowing of food along with air.
What does hiccups mean? In medicine, it means a violation of the function of external respiration and the removal of air from the stomach, and among the people this phenomenon has become a sign that a hiccuping person has become the subject of discussion, memories, passion or hostility of a person, a group of people.
The Poles believe that hiccups attack when the offended person remembers, while the Irish prefer to romanticize hiccups, calling them the dreams of a secret lover. Here are the most famous signs of a hiccuping person:
- Sudden hiccups are a sign of envy.
- Someone’s sympathy causes slight hiccups.
- Short-term hiccups portend a good harvest and favorable weather.
In many religions, the meaning of hiccups is associated with people’s thoughts. What does hiccups mean in Islam? Preacher Shamil Alyautdinov notes that in Islam, hiccups do not pose any harm, both for everyday life and for performing religious rituals (prayer). The sacrament of prayer is considered perfect, even if the praying hiccups in the process, since his intentions were pure and innocent.
Many people believe that hiccups speak of a person’s defenselessness against evil spirits. What should I say to get rid of the hiccups? It is necessary to list the names of all close people who are ready to successfully fight for the soul of a hiccup attacked by demons.
On one of the names, the hiccups should end.
If this does not happen, then the popular saying comes into play: “Hiccups, hiccups, go to Fedot, from Fedot to Yakov, from Yakov to everyone, and from everyone, and from Fedot, and from Yakov, you go hiccups, to yourself to the swamps. Bow down to the mud in the deep quagmire.”
A girl says a saying: Freepik
Chronological signs associated with hiccups
Emilia N. Moretto believes that prolonged hiccups are extremely rare. Among the people, any hiccups are given special importance, even considering the day on which the spasm began.
What does hiccups mean by day of the week
Hiccups on a certain day, indicates important events or experiences that cover a person:
- On Monday they hiccup if someone remembers a person.
- Hiccups on Tuesday are associated with longing for a loved one.
- Wednesday spasm of the diaphragm is associated with important news and a serious conversation.
- On Thursday, hiccups are a sign that a long-awaited and important meeting is approaching.
- Why hiccups on Friday? She portends disagreements with a loved one.
- Saturday hiccups – an attack of jealousy and a conflict with a partner.
- Sunday hiccups are a harbinger of happy and joyful events.
To prevent hiccups from getting worse and making you vulnerable to negative energy, cover your mouth with your hand while hiccupping.
What does hiccups mean at different times of the day
To interpret hiccups as signs, not only the day of the week is important, but also the time of its occurrence:
- Hiccups in the early morning warn that a person’s heart is not free. He feels passion and boundless love for someone, and this feeling is mutual. Also expect gifts or a pleasant pastime in the company of friends. If you don’t experience this and didn’t plan to, beware of betrayal.
- Daytime hiccups portends a pleasant meeting with a benevolent person.
