Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplicationsDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Complications
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Hiccupsare involuntary spasms of thediaphragm(the muscle under the lungs). Hiccups are usually short-lived, but they can be chronic (long-lasting) in rare cases.Men are more likely to get hiccups than women, but nearly everyone will experience hiccups in their lifetime.
Although the exact cause of hiccups is unknown, there are several contributing factors. In addition to home remedies, hiccups can be treated medically. Complications from hiccups can occur if not treated properly.
This article will review the symptoms, causes, and treatment of hiccups.
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Why We Get Occasional or Constant Hiccups
Symptoms of Hiccups
When aspasmoccurs in the diaphragm, the air is quickly sucked into the lungs, causing the vocal cords to close abruptly—resulting in the familiar “hic” sound. During a hiccup, theintercostal muscles(muscles between the ribs) contract, causing the ribs and abdomen to be pulled in. Over time, this movement can become uncomfortable.
Hiccups can come in clusters or occur just once. Often the interval between each hiccup is similar in timing. Most hiccups will resolve within 48 hours; however, intractable hiccups can last for months. Medical intervention is required for intractable hiccups.
Causes of Hiccups
Although the exact reason for hiccups is not fully understood, several contributing factors exist.
Acute hiccups (lasting less than 48 hours): The stomach sits below the diaphragm. When the stomach becomes distended from quick inhalation (breath) or the diaphragm is irritated, hiccups can occur. Here are common causes of acute hiccups:
Chronic or Intractable Hiccups (lasting more than 48 hours):In some cases, hiccups can indicate a serious medical issue. The following are conditions that can lead to intractable hiccups.
1:45Click Play to Learn How to Get Rid of Hiccups
1:45
Click Play to Learn How to Get Rid of Hiccups
How to Treat Hiccups
Acute hiccups typically resolve independently; however, several home remedies can speed up the process. In contrast, chronic or intractable hiccups may need to be treated with medication, medical procedures, or alternative therapies.
Home Remedies
Here are some easy and inexpensiveways to get rid of hiccupsat home:
Medical Treatments
Although treating the underlying condition is essential to curing intractable hiccups, there are medical interventions that can help alleviate the symptoms.
Medications include:
Medical procedures include:
Alternative therapies include:
Complications of Hiccups
Acute hiccups are usually harmless; however, chronic or intractable hiccups can lead to the following complications:
Diagnosing the Cause of Hiccups
Based on these findings, your healthcare provider may order bloodwork and imaging tests (X-ray,CT scan, orMRI). You may also need a consult with a specialist such as aneurologist,gastroenterologist, orotolaryngologist.
It’s important to contact your healthcare provider for the following symptoms due to hiccups:
Summary
Hiccups are a result of involuntary spasms of the diaphragm. Acute hiccups usually last less than 48 hours. Eating too quickly, gulping soda, drinking alcohol, or overeating can cause acute hiccups. In rare cases, hiccups can be chronic or intractable, lasting days or months. Intractable hiccups can be a sign of a serious medical condition.
Several home remedies can cure acute hiccups. Intractable hiccups, however, may need to be treated with medical interventions. Contact your healthcare provider if you have hiccups that last more than 48 hours, have unintentional weight loss, can’t eat or drink, and feel your quality of life is affected.
Hiccups can be harmful if they interfere with eating, drinking, sleeping, or daily activities.
A stressful event that causes you to take an unexpected deep breath can cause hiccups. Excitement and sobbing can also cause the diaphragm to begin to spasm.
Common techniques to cure the hiccups include holding your breath for five to 10 seconds, performing the Valsalva maneuver, and biting into a lemon.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chang FY, Lu CL.Hiccup: mystery, nature and treatment.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2012;18(2):123-130. doi:10.5056/jnm.2012.18.2.123Hosoya R, Uesawa Y, Ishii-Nozawa R, Kagaya H.Analysis of factors associated with hiccups based on the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database.PLoS One. 2017;12(2):e0172057. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0172057Steger M, Schneemann M, Fox M.Systemic review: the pathogenesis and pharmacological treatment of hiccups.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2015;42(9):1037-1050. doi: 10.1111/apt.13374Quiroga JB, García JU, Guedes JB.Hiccups: a common problem with some unusual causes and cures.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(652):584. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X687913Prince G, Sergel M.Persistent hiccups as an atypical presenting complaint of COVID-19.Am J Emerg Med. 2020;38(7):1546.e5-1546.e6. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.04.045Woelk CJ.Managing hiccups.Canadian Family Physician. 2011;57(6):672.Ge AX, Ryan ME, Giaccone G, Hughes MS, Pavletic SZ.Acupuncture treatment for persistent hiccups in patients with cancer.J Altern Complement Med.2010;16(7):811-816. doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0456National Institutes of Health.Chronic hiccups.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chang FY, Lu CL.Hiccup: mystery, nature and treatment.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2012;18(2):123-130. doi:10.5056/jnm.2012.18.2.123Hosoya R, Uesawa Y, Ishii-Nozawa R, Kagaya H.Analysis of factors associated with hiccups based on the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database.PLoS One. 2017;12(2):e0172057. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0172057Steger M, Schneemann M, Fox M.Systemic review: the pathogenesis and pharmacological treatment of hiccups.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2015;42(9):1037-1050. doi: 10.1111/apt.13374Quiroga JB, García JU, Guedes JB.Hiccups: a common problem with some unusual causes and cures.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(652):584. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X687913Prince G, Sergel M.Persistent hiccups as an atypical presenting complaint of COVID-19.Am J Emerg Med. 2020;38(7):1546.e5-1546.e6. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.04.045Woelk CJ.Managing hiccups.Canadian Family Physician. 2011;57(6):672.Ge AX, Ryan ME, Giaccone G, Hughes MS, Pavletic SZ.Acupuncture treatment for persistent hiccups in patients with cancer.J Altern Complement Med.2010;16(7):811-816. doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0456National Institutes of Health.Chronic hiccups.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chang FY, Lu CL.Hiccup: mystery, nature and treatment.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2012;18(2):123-130. doi:10.5056/jnm.2012.18.2.123Hosoya R, Uesawa Y, Ishii-Nozawa R, Kagaya H.Analysis of factors associated with hiccups based on the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database.PLoS One. 2017;12(2):e0172057. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0172057Steger M, Schneemann M, Fox M.Systemic review: the pathogenesis and pharmacological treatment of hiccups.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2015;42(9):1037-1050. doi: 10.1111/apt.13374Quiroga JB, García JU, Guedes JB.Hiccups: a common problem with some unusual causes and cures.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(652):584. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X687913Prince G, Sergel M.Persistent hiccups as an atypical presenting complaint of COVID-19.Am J Emerg Med. 2020;38(7):1546.e5-1546.e6. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.04.045Woelk CJ.Managing hiccups.Canadian Family Physician. 2011;57(6):672.Ge AX, Ryan ME, Giaccone G, Hughes MS, Pavletic SZ.Acupuncture treatment for persistent hiccups in patients with cancer.J Altern Complement Med.2010;16(7):811-816. doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0456National Institutes of Health.Chronic hiccups.
Chang FY, Lu CL.Hiccup: mystery, nature and treatment.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2012;18(2):123-130. doi:10.5056/jnm.2012.18.2.123
Hosoya R, Uesawa Y, Ishii-Nozawa R, Kagaya H.Analysis of factors associated with hiccups based on the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database.PLoS One. 2017;12(2):e0172057. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0172057
Steger M, Schneemann M, Fox M.Systemic review: the pathogenesis and pharmacological treatment of hiccups.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2015;42(9):1037-1050. doi: 10.1111/apt.13374
Quiroga JB, García JU, Guedes JB.Hiccups: a common problem with some unusual causes and cures.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(652):584. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X687913
Prince G, Sergel M.Persistent hiccups as an atypical presenting complaint of COVID-19.Am J Emerg Med. 2020;38(7):1546.e5-1546.e6. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.04.045
Woelk CJ.Managing hiccups.Canadian Family Physician. 2011;57(6):672.
Ge AX, Ryan ME, Giaccone G, Hughes MS, Pavletic SZ.Acupuncture treatment for persistent hiccups in patients with cancer.J Altern Complement Med.2010;16(7):811-816. doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0456
National Institutes of Health.Chronic hiccups.
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