Hiccups
What are hiccups?
A hiccup (also called a hiccough) occurs when the diaphragm (the sheet of muscle separating the lungs from the abdomen) suddenly contracts, and the epiglottis (the flap of tissue at the back of the throat that closes the entrance to the voicebox and windpipe during swallowing) closes. The air being sucked in as the diaphragm contracts is stopped by the epiglottis, producing the characteristic sound. Hiccups are common but harmless, usually stopping after a few minutes. However, chronic hiccups that last days, months, or even years may indicate serious underlying disease.
What are the symptoms of hiccups?
Hiccups are characterised by spasmodic inhalation accompanied by a sucking sound that abruptly stops. Hiccups often come in series.
What causes hiccups?
The cause of hiccups is unknown, but many experts attribute it to the stimulation of the nerves supplying the diaphragm. Factors that may trigger hiccups are:
- eating too fast, especially hot and spicy food;
- excessive alcohol consumption;
- smoking; and
- stress.
What you can do
- Hold your breath as long as possible. Repeat until the attack stops.
- Hold a paper bag tightly over your mouth and nose, and breathe in and out several times.
- Drink ice-cold or hot water.
- Eat crushed ice.
- Gargle water.
- Sit down and lean forward, pulling up your knees to compress your chest.
Consult a doctor if the hiccups become chronic or disturb eating, sleep or work.
What your doctor can do for you
Your doctor can:
- rule out serious underlying diseases that provoke hiccups;
- prescribe antispasmodics;
- perform surgery on the nerves supplying the diaphragm, in severe or persistent hiccup attacks; or
- treat underlying diseases that may be causing hiccups.
Last Reviewed: 14 October 2004
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