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.
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. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Hiccups that last longer than two months are considered intractable, or difficult to manage. Numerous causes of hiccups have been identified.
Hiccups often come and go for no apparent reason. Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours are categorized by the type of irritant that caused the episode. The majority of persistent hiccups are caused by injury or irritation to either the vagus or phrenic nerve. The vagus and phrenic nerves control the movement of your diaphragm. These nerves may be affected by:. Other causes of hiccups may involve the central nervous system CNS.
The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord. If the CNS is damaged, your body may lose the ability to control hiccups. Sometimes, a medical procedure can accidentally cause you to develop long-term hiccups. These procedures are used to treat or diagnose other conditions and include:.
Hiccups can occur at any age. However, there are several factors that can increase your likelihood of developing hiccups. However, a prolonged episode can be uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life. Contact a doctor if you have hiccups that last longer than two days.
They can determine the severity of your hiccups in relation to your overall health and other conditions. There are numerous options for treating hiccups. Typically, a short-term case of hiccups will take care of itself. However, the discomfort may make waiting out hiccups unbearable if they last longer than a few minutes. Although none of these have been proven to stop hiccups, the following potential treatments for hiccups can be tried at home:.
If you still have hiccups after 48 hours, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may attempt gastric lavage stomach pumping or carotid sinus massage rubbing the main carotid artery in the neck.
If the cause of your hiccups is unclear, your doctor may recommend tests. These can help detect any underlying disease or condition. Treating any underlying causes of your hiccups will usually make them go away. If persistent hiccups have no obvious cause, there are several anti-hiccup medications that may be prescribed.
The more commonly used drugs include:. And more importantly, what can you do to get rid of them? Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Centuries ago, people claimed hiccups meant a growth spurt for children. Today, we understand the mechanics of a hiccup: When the diaphragm — a muscle situated between the lungs and the stomach — becomes irritated, it begins to spasm.
This spasm causes what is commonly known as hiccups. This helps explain why they sometimes occur during emotional situations or temperature changes. They can also kick in after you swallow too much air, eat too quickly or too much, or experience excitement or anxiety. It is unclear if hiccups have a physiologic role.
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