What triggers hiccups. How long do hiccups typically last. When should you be concerned about persistent hiccups. What are some proven home remedies for hiccups. How do medical professionals treat chronic hiccups.

The Science Behind Hiccups: What Causes These Involuntary Spasms?

Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, the muscular sheet that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen. But what exactly triggers these sudden, often inconvenient spasms? The process begins when the diaphragm contracts suddenly, causing a rapid intake of air. This quick inhalation makes the epiglottis – a flap of tissue in the throat – slam shut, producing the characteristic “hic” sound.

While the exact cause of hiccups isn’t always clear, several factors can trigger an episode:

• Eating too quickly or too much
• Carbonated beverages
• Swallowing air while chewing gum
• Sudden temperature changes in the stomach
• Stress or excitement
• Certain medications

Can medical conditions cause hiccups? In some cases, yes. Prolonged hiccups may be a symptom of underlying health issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), tumors, or central nervous system disorders. However, most hiccup episodes are benign and resolve on their own within a few minutes to a few hours.

Common Hiccup Triggers: Everyday Habits That May Be to Blame

Our daily routines and habits can sometimes set the stage for hiccups. Understanding these triggers can help in preventing frequent episodes. Here are some common culprits:

1. Overeating: Consuming large meals can distend the stomach and irritate the diaphragm.
2. Spicy foods: These can cause acid reflux, potentially leading to hiccups.
3. Carbonated drinks: The bubbles can expand the stomach and stimulate the diaphragm.
4. Alcohol consumption: Excessive drinking can lead to stomach irritation and hiccups.
5. Smoking: Inhaling smoke can irritate the diaphragm and trigger spasms.
6. Sudden temperature changes: Consuming very hot or cold foods in quick succession may shock the system.
7. Stress or excitement: Strong emotions can affect breathing patterns and potentially trigger hiccups.

Are certain individuals more prone to hiccups? Some people do seem to be more susceptible, possibly due to factors like anatomy, stress levels, or underlying health conditions. If you find yourself experiencing frequent hiccups, it may be worth examining your daily habits and making adjustments where possible.

The Duration Dilemma: When Should You Be Concerned About Hiccups?

Most hiccup episodes are brief and harmless, typically resolving within a few minutes to a few hours. However, in rare cases, hiccups can persist for an extended period, raising concerns about underlying health issues.

Hiccups are generally categorized based on their duration:

• Acute hiccups: Lasting less than 48 hours
• Persistent hiccups: Lasting more than 48 hours but less than 1 month
• Intractable hiccups: Lasting more than 1 month

When should you seek medical attention for hiccups? If your hiccups persist for more than 48 hours or interfere with eating, sleeping, or breathing, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional. Prolonged hiccups can be a sign of various medical conditions, including:

• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Central nervous system disorders
• Metabolic imbalances
• Psychogenic factors
• Certain medications or surgical procedures

While rare, chronic hiccups can lead to complications such as weight loss, exhaustion, and depression if left untreated. Therefore, it’s crucial to address persistent hiccups promptly to rule out any serious underlying causes.

Home Remedies for Hiccups: Tried and True Methods to Stop the Spasms

When hiccups strike, many people turn to home remedies for relief. While scientific evidence for these methods is often limited, many individuals report success with various techniques. Here are some popular home remedies to try:

1. Hold your breath: This increases carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which may help relax the diaphragm.
2. Drink water quickly: Rapid swallowing may interrupt the hiccup reflex.
3. Swallow a teaspoon of sugar: The granules may stimulate the vagus nerve and stop hiccups.
4. Pull your knees to your chest: This compresses the chest and may help relax the diaphragm.
5. Breathe into a paper bag: This increases carbon dioxide intake, potentially calming the diaphragm.
6. Bite on a lemon: The sour taste may distract from the hiccups and interrupt the spasms.
7. Gargle with ice water: The cold may stimulate the vagus nerve and stop hiccups.

Do these home remedies actually work? While individual experiences vary, many people find relief using these methods. It’s important to note that what works for one person may not work for another, so you may need to try several techniques to find what’s effective for you.

Medical Interventions: When Home Remedies Aren’t Enough

For persistent or intractable hiccups that don’t respond to home remedies, medical interventions may be necessary. Healthcare professionals have several tools at their disposal to address chronic hiccups:

Medications

Various medications can be prescribed to treat persistent hiccups, including:

• Baclofen: A muscle relaxant that can help reduce diaphragm spasms
• Chlorpromazine: An antipsychotic that can also suppress hiccups
• Metoclopramide: A medication that improves stomach emptying and may relieve hiccups
• Gabapentin: An anticonvulsant that can help with nerve-related hiccups

Procedures

In some cases, more invasive procedures may be recommended:

• Nerve blocks: Injecting anesthetics to block the phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm
• Vagus nerve stimulation: Using electrical impulses to stimulate the vagus nerve
• Acupuncture: Some studies suggest acupuncture may help alleviate chronic hiccups

How effective are these medical interventions? The success rate varies depending on the underlying cause and the specific treatment used. In many cases, a combination of approaches may be necessary to achieve relief from chronic hiccups.

The Link Between Hiccups and Health: What Your Hiccups Might Be Telling You

While most hiccup episodes are benign, persistent or recurrent hiccups can sometimes be a sign of underlying health issues. Understanding this connection can help in early detection and treatment of potential problems.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Hiccups are often associated with various gastrointestinal conditions, including:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Stomach ulcers
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Pancreatitis

Neurological Disorders

In some cases, hiccups may be linked to neurological issues such as:

• Brain tumors
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke
• Parkinson’s disease

Other Health Conditions

Hiccups can also be associated with:

• Infections (e.g., pneumonia, meningitis)
• Metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes, electrolyte imbalances)
• Certain medications or medical procedures

Should you be concerned about frequent hiccups? While occasional hiccups are normal, frequent or persistent hiccups warrant attention. If you experience recurrent hiccup episodes or hiccups that last more than 48 hours, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying health issues.

Hiccups Across the Lifespan: From Infancy to Old Age

Hiccups can occur at any age, but their frequency and significance can vary throughout different life stages. Understanding these variations can provide insights into when hiccups might be a cause for concern.

Infants and Children

Hiccups are common in newborns and infants, often occurring during or after feeding. They typically resolve on their own and are rarely a cause for concern. However, if hiccups interfere with feeding or seem to cause distress, parents should consult a pediatrician.

Adults

In adults, occasional hiccups are usually harmless. However, persistent or recurrent hiccups may indicate underlying health issues and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Elderly

Older adults may be more susceptible to prolonged hiccups due to age-related changes in the body and increased likelihood of underlying health conditions. Chronic hiccups in the elderly should always be medically evaluated.

Do hiccups become more or less common as we age? While hiccups can occur at any age, their frequency and duration may change over time. Infants tend to hiccup more frequently than adults, while older adults may be more prone to prolonged hiccup episodes due to various health factors.

Preventing Hiccups: Strategies to Reduce Your Risk

While it’s not always possible to prevent hiccups, certain lifestyle modifications and habits can help reduce their frequency:

1. Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly to avoid swallowing excess air.
2. Avoid carbonated beverages or drink them slowly.
3. Limit alcohol consumption and avoid binge drinking.
4. Manage stress through relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
5. Maintain good posture, especially while eating, to reduce pressure on the diaphragm.
6. Stay hydrated, but avoid drinking large quantities of water in one sitting.
7. If you smoke, consider quitting or reducing your intake.

Can dietary changes help prevent hiccups? Some individuals find that avoiding trigger foods, such as spicy or acidic dishes, can reduce hiccup episodes. Keeping a food diary may help identify personal triggers.

Is it possible to “train” your body to resist hiccups? While there’s no foolproof method to prevent hiccups entirely, practicing controlled breathing techniques and being mindful of eating and drinking habits may help reduce their occurrence over time.

By understanding the causes, remedies, and potential health implications of hiccups, individuals can better manage these involuntary spasms and know when to seek medical attention. Remember, while most hiccup episodes are harmless, persistent or recurring hiccups should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying conditions.

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 17:13

  Answer

  First read article on this site and I love it. 🙂

  Reply

• Dimidrol
  07/18/2006 17:19

  Answer

  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 09:22

  Answer

  But breathing into a bag, creating an excess of carbon dioxide, helps radically.

  Reply

  • Altolm
    michus 12.09.2006 16:09

    Answer

    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 22:22

  Answer

  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 22:22

    Answer

    But it helps me.

    Reply

  • rena
    Gamble 26.09.2006 16:43

    Answer

    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

Write a comment

Hiccups: what to do

Hiccups is a non-specific disturbance of the function of external respiration, which occurs as a result of a series of convulsive jerky contractions of the diaphragm and is subjectively manifested by unpleasant short and intense respiratory movements. It occurs occasionally in healthy people for no apparent reason and is usually a harmless, quickly ending phenomenon.

Figure 1. Mechanism of hiccups. Image: rob3000 / Depositphotos

Under what circumstances does hiccups occur?

Hiccups may occur under the following circumstances:

1. General cooling (especially in young children), especially when intoxicated.

2. When the stomach is overdistended (overfilled with food). According to experts, such involuntary muscle contractions may come from the esophagus. Swallowing problems and food getting stuck in the esophagus cause spasms where the esophagus meets the stomach.

3. With irritation of the phrenic nerve. The so-called “normal” hiccups are manifestations of a nervous tic. This occurs under the influence of the phrenic nerve, which, for unknown reasons, transmits excitation to the muscles of the diaphragm. The result is uncontrollable spasms.

Photo: actiongp / freepik. com

Can hiccups be a symptom of disease?

Hiccups can also be a symptom of certain diseases, for example, in the case of irritation of the diaphragm during an inflammatory process in the abdominal cavity. Sometimes it becomes long and painful. Hiccups occur with some diseases of the brain and spinal cord, and can also be observed with myocardial infarction, infectious diseases and mental agitation.

What to do with prolonged hiccups?

In cases of prolonged, persistent hiccups, you should consult a doctor who will determine its cause and prescribe treatment. With the development of renal failure, constant or intermittent hiccups may also be observed. It is the result of the development of an abscess or tumor in the chest, diaphragm or esophagus. In some people, hiccups occur due to psychological reasons, it resembles reactions with transient paralysis in soldiers who are afraid of battle. In such cases, hiccups are unconscious and reflect a desire to avoid very unpleasant events. Some individuals experience hiccups in the postoperative period, which may be a reaction to pain medications.

What is the reason for this phenomenon?

Despite significant advances in medicine over the years, there is still no reliable cure for these minor spasms that cause a person to emit obscene sounds, like a street boozer.

Don’t worry, there are several ways to solve this problem.

How to get rid of hiccups?

Photo: superpicture / freepik.com

To get rid of hiccups, you need to stop spasms of the diaphragm and esophagus. This can be done either by distraction or by breathing techniques. Usually this is sufficient.

What if the hiccups still persist?

Lemon will help get rid of hiccups. Photo: jenoche / freepik.com

When your hiccups persist, you make great efforts to make them disappear. You focus on your chest and consciously tighten your diaphragm. But by straining and trying to suppress the next bout of hiccups you expect, you only complicate the situation. Below we recommend you more correct tricks.

• Swallow a small amount of something bitter or sour. When something unusual enters the digestive system, spasms usually go away: try sucking on a piece of lemon.
• Try to suppress the hiccups by reflex. Place your finger on the wall of the throat as if you were about to induce vomiting. However, in fact, you do not need to bring your actions to such an extent. In this way, you can interrupt the established hiccup rhythm.
• Try to kill hiccups with water. If you drink a large glass of water in small sips at a measured pace, you can stop hiccups. In this way, food residues are washed off from the lower part of the pharynx and, possibly, their irritating effect on the nerve passing in this area is eliminated.
• Drink water in an inclined position of the torso. The upside down position offers a completely new approach to the treatment of hiccups. Bend your torso over the sink and begin to drink water from a glass moved as far away from you as possible.
• Use the sudden startle method, for example startle the victim of hiccups with a sudden pop of an inflated bag or a loud shout. This can instantly stop the spasm.
• Try the folk method with thread. Hispanic South Texas residents use a popular technique to interrupt hiccups with a red thread or strip of cloth. They are tied around the child’s head in the forehead at the level of the bridge of the nose. Perhaps the child directs his eyes to the thread and thus switches his attention. And this is just what you need to stop hiccups.
• Sweeten the pill. Sprinkle some granulated sugar on the back of the tongue and swallow it, you can stir a spoonful of granulated sugar in a small amount of beer and drink this mixture.
• Hold on to your tongue. The next time you have hiccups, open your mouth wide, take your tongue, pull it slightly and hold it for a few seconds. This method of treating hiccups was preferred by President Kennedy’s personal physician.
• Bet Money is a favorite remedy of some doctors and they say has never failed in cases of normal hiccups. When someone hiccups, take out the money, put it on the table, and make a bet with that person that he or she won’t be able to hiccup the next minute. This person can’t really hiccup another time without losing the bet.

You can stop hiccups by drinking water in an inclined position of the torso. Photo: goffkein / freepik.com

Once you stop trying to stop the hiccups, a whole host of other muscles come into play and the spasms disappear.

In which cases should I get tested?

Examination is necessary in the following cases:

• if the hiccups last more than an hour;
• if attacks of hiccups occur several times a day or several days a week;
• if, in addition to hiccups, you have chest pain, heartburn, or trouble swallowing.

How does the elimination of hiccups proceed in this case?

If your hiccups are very frequent or persist for a long time, your doctor may order an x-ray after you take barium to look for any obstruction in your esophagus. To eliminate hiccups that are permanent and not associated with any mechanical obstruction in the esophagus, the doctor may prescribe certain medications, depending on what your disorders are related to.

An interesting fact is that Charles Osborne of Anton, Iowa, USA, began to hiccup in 1922. He led a normal life, was married twice and had 8 children, and stopped hiccuping in 1990 (Guinness Book of Records).

Marina Apryatkina

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