Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of Occasional HiccupsCauses of Constant HiccupsTreatmentWhy Hiccups OccurHow Long They Last
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes of Occasional Hiccups
Causes of Constant Hiccups
Treatment
Why Hiccups Occur
How Long They Last
Hiccupsare a reflex involving thephrenic nerve,vagus nerve, or thoracic sympathetic fibers. The causes of hiccups range from acute factors like eating a large meal or drinking carbonated drinks to more persistent factors like central nervous system or gastrointestinal disorders.
This article explains the causes of occasional and constant hiccups and treatment. It also covers what happens when you have hiccups and how long you can expect them to last.
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Common Causes of Occasional Hiccups
Common causes of hiccups include how you eat and emotional factors.
Eating and Drinking Habits
Hiccups occur when your stomach distends after eating a large meal or drinking carbonated drinks.If you have a habit of eating quickly or until you are full or drinking sparkling water or soda, you may be more likely to experience occasional hiccups.
In addition, the following foods may trigger the hiccup reflex:
Emotional Factors
Emotions, such as overexcitement, stress, or anxiety, can lead to hiccups in some people.For example, you may swallow excess air in your enthusiasm when overexcited.
When hiccups are more often than occasional, they are called persistent or intractable.These painful hiccups typically last longer than a couple of days. Some health conditions can cause persistent hiccups.
Central Nervous System Disorders
Vascular conditions, infections, and structural central nervous system problems, including the following disorders, could lead to chronic hiccups:
Vagus and Phrenic Nerve Irritation
Since these nerves are involved in the hiccup reflex, any irritation of these nerves could lead to hiccups. Conditions associated with these nerves include:
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders that may lead to chronic hiccups include:
Thoracic Disorders
Thoracic disorders involve the lungs, heart, esophagus, chest wall, diaphragm, and great vessels. These types of conditions can cause chronic hiccups and include:
Cardiovascular Disorders
Heart conditions, including myocardial infarction (heart attack) andpericarditis(inflammation of the pericardium, the protective sac around the heart), can also cause hiccups.
Infections and Toxicity
Some infections and toxins can also lead to persistent hiccups. These include:
Postoperative
Many factors related to surgery can cause postoperative hiccups. This includesanesthesia,intubation(inserting a tube through a patient’s nose or mouth and down into the airway), neck stretching, and abdominal distention.
Drugs
Some drugs can also cause persistent hiccups, including:
Psychological
Psychological disorders that may lead to chronic hiccups include:
Things to Try to Stop Hiccups
The good news is there are many tactics forgetting rid of hiccups.
At-Home Treatment
At-home treatments include:
A Word From VerywellScaring someone has been used to try and treat hiccups, despite the lack of real evidence in its success. In theory, it makes physiological sense, but I would suggest trying some of the other methods first to get rid of hiccups mentioned in this article—MICHAEL MENNA, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Scaring someone has been used to try and treat hiccups, despite the lack of real evidence in its success. In theory, it makes physiological sense, but I would suggest trying some of the other methods first to get rid of hiccups mentioned in this article—MICHAEL MENNA, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Scaring someone has been used to try and treat hiccups, despite the lack of real evidence in its success. In theory, it makes physiological sense, but I would suggest trying some of the other methods first to get rid of hiccups mentioned in this article
—MICHAEL MENNA, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Medical Treatment
Persistent hiccups may require treating the underlying medical condition causing them. In addition, some medications may help. These include:
What’s Happening During Hiccups?
When you hiccup, your body makes an involuntary movement (called a reflex). The first movement happens with your diaphragm (the muscle at the bottom of your lungs). Next, your vocal cords quickly close, making the notable “hic” sound.This reflex occurs when certain nerves are stimulated.
How Long Do Hiccups Last?
Occasional hiccups are short-lived, usually lasting no longer than 48 hours. Intractable hiccups can last longer than a month.
Summary
There are many causes of hiccups, from food to emotions to medical conditions. Fortunately, there are many remedies for getting rid of hiccups, and they will eventually go away. A cause may need to be determined for persistent hiccups in order to treat the underlying condition and relieve the hiccups.
15 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.
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