Learn About Hiccups
A hiccup is an unintentional movement (spasm) of the diaphragm, the muscle at the base of the lungs. The spasm is followed by quick closing of the vocal cords. This closing of vocal cords produces a distinctive sound.
Singultus
Hiccups often start for no apparent reason. They most often disappear after a few minutes. In rare cases, hiccups can last for days, weeks, or months. Hiccups are common and normal in newborns and infants.
Causes may include:
- Abdominal surgery
- Disease or disorder that irritates the nerves that control the diaphragm (including pleurisy, pneumonia, or upper abdominal diseases)
- Hot and spicy foods or liquids
- Harmful fumes
- Stroke or tumor affecting the brain
There is usually no specific cause for hiccups.
There is no sure way to stop hiccups, but there are a number of common suggestions that can be tried:
- Breathe repeatedly into a paper bag.
- Drink a glass of cold water.
- Eat a teaspoon (4 grams) of sugar.
- Hold your breath.
Contact your health care provider if hiccups go on for more than a few days.
If you need to see your provider for hiccups, you will have a physical exam and be asked questions about the problem.
Questions may include:
- Do you get hiccups easily?
- How long has this episode of hiccups lasted?
- Did you recently eat something hot or spicy?
- Did you recently drink carbonated beverages?
- Have you been exposed to any fumes?
- What have you tried to relieve the hiccups?
- What has been effective for you in the past?
- How effective was the attempt?
- Did the hiccups stop for a while and then restart?
- Do you have other symptoms?
Additional tests are only done when a disease or disorder is suspected as the cause.
To treat hiccups that do not go away, the provider may perform gastric lavage or massage of the carotid sinus in the neck. DO NOT try carotid massage by yourself. This must be done by a provider.
If hiccups continue, medicines may help. Tube insertion into the stomach (nasogastric intubation) may also help.
In very rare cases, if medicines or other methods do not work, treatment such as phrenic nerve block may be tried. The phrenic nerve controls the diaphragm.
University Of Virginia Physicians Group
Brian Weinshenker is a Neurologist in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Weinshenker is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiccups. His top areas of expertise are Transverse Myelitis, Neuromyelitis Optica, Optic Neuritis, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Dr. Weinshenker is currently accepting new patients.
Holy Cross Hospital Inc
Phi Le is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Le is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiccups. His top areas of expertise are Nasal Flaring, Grass Allergy, Movement Disorders, and Parkinson's Disease. Dr. Le is currently accepting new patients.
Advocate Medical Group Gastroenterology
Hareth Raddawi is a Gastroenterologist in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Dr. Raddawi is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hiccups. His top areas of expertise are Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Bile Duct Obstruction, Cholestasis, Gastrectomy, and Endoscopy.
Summary: Infantile spasms are defined by the occurrence of epileptic episodes characterized by the appearance of very specific motor seizures, made up of rapid, repeated contractions in flexion or extension known as spasms. This syndrome is of high concern as it will lead to mental retardation if it is not early identified and treated. Most often, spasms are characterized by sudden contractions of the body...
Summary: The COVID-19 Pandemic is the characterizing worldwide wellbeing emergency within recent memory. Since its development in Asia before the end of last year, the infection has spread to each mainland with the exception of Antarctica. Countries are dashing to moderate the spread of the illness by testing and treating patients, completing contact following, restricting travel, isolating residents, and ...
Published Date: January 01, 2025
Published By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
American Cancer Society website. Hiccups and heartburn. www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems/hiccups-and-heartburn.html. Updated June 26, 2024. Accessed January 7, 2025.
DeVault KR. Symptoms of esophageal disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 13.
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center website. Chronic hiccup. rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6657/chronic-hiccups. Updated December 2024. Accessed January 7, 2025.