What is hiccups?

Hiccups occur when a spasm contracts the diaphragm, a large sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. The spasm causes an intake of breath that is suddenly stopped by the closure of the vocal cords (glottis). This closure causes the "hiccup" sound.

A very full stomach can cause hiccups that go away on their own. A full stomach can be caused by things like eating too much food too quickly or swallowing too much air.

Most hiccups go away on their own within a few minutes to a few hours and do not require any treatment.

Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours are called persistent hiccups. Hiccups that last longer than a month are called intractable hiccups. Both persistent and intractable hiccups may be a sign of a more serious health problem.

Signs of hiccups include an in-breath that is suddenly stopped by your vocal cords closing. This closure causes a "hiccup" sound. The breath being stopped and the "hiccup" sound can't be controlled.

Most bouts of hiccups go away on their own within a few minutes to a few hours and do not need any treatment.

Many home remedies are used to treat hiccups. Some of these remedies include:

• Holding your breath and counting slowly to 10.
• Quickly drinking a glass of cold water.
• Eating a teaspoon of sugar.

The treatment for persistent or intractable hiccups depends on the underlying cause of the hiccups and may range from medicine to acupuncture or hypnosis. Sometimes several treatments may be tried before persistent or intractable hiccups are controlled. If you have hiccups that last a few days or longer, your doctor may do some tests to rule out a more serious problem.

• Help your child to avoid swallowing air. You can teach your child to:
  • Eat slowly and avoid gulping food or beverages.
  • Chew food thoroughly before swallowing.
  • Avoid drinking through a straw.
  • Avoid chewing gum or eating hard candy.
• Remind your child to avoid getting too full when they eat.
• Have your child avoid sudden changes in stomach temperature, such as drinking a hot beverage and then a cold beverage.
• Help your child avoid emotional stress or too much excitement.

If hiccups last longer than 48 hours, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask you about your health history. Your doctor may do tests to rule out a more serious problem. Sometimes a specific cause for hiccups is not found.

• Try these safe and easy home remedies if your hiccups are making you uncomfortable.
  • Eat a teaspoon of sugar.
  • Hold your breath and count slowly to 10.
  • Quickly drink a glass of cold water.
• If your doctor prescribed medicine, take it as directed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.

Hiccups occur when a spasm contracts the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a large sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. This spasm causes an intake of breath that is suddenly stopped by the closing of the vocal cords. This is what makes the "hiccup" sound.

There are three types of hiccups:

• Common hiccups. These usually go away on their own within a few minutes to a few hours.
• Persistent hiccups. These last longer than 48 hours.
• Intractable hiccups. These last longer than a month.

Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours can be a sign of a more serious health problem and should be checked by a doctor.

Many things can cause short bouts of hiccups that go away on their own (common hiccups). These can include:

• Overstretching the stomach. This can happen when you:
  • Eat too much.
  • Swallow air while doing things like eating, chewing gum, or smoking.
  • Drink carbonated drinks.
• Having a sudden change in stomach temperature, such as drinking a hot beverage and then a cold beverage.
• Drinking too much alcohol.
• Emotional stress or excitement.

Hiccups that last more than 48 hours (persistent hiccups and intractable hiccups) can be caused by:

• Central nervous system problems. These can be caused by things such as cancer, infections, stroke, or injury.
• Metabolic problems, such as decreased kidney function or hyperventilation.
• Irritated nerves in the head, neck, and chest.