What is Hiccups?
Hiccups may result from a large meal, alcoholic or carbonated beverages or sudden excitement. In some cases, hiccups may be a sign of an underlying medical condition. For most people, a bout of hiccups usually lasts only a few minutes. Rarely, hiccups may persist for months. This can result in weight loss and exhaustion.
Symptoms of Hiccups
Hiccupping is a symptom. It may sometimes be accompanied by a slight tightening sensation in your chest, abdomen or throat.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment to see your doctor if your hiccups last more than 48 hours or if they are so severe that they cause problems with eating, sleeping or breathing.
Complications of Hiccups
Prolonged hiccups may interfere with:
- Sleeping
- Speech
- Eating
- Wound healing after surgery
Causes of Hiccups
The most common triggers for hiccups that last less than 48 hours include:
- Eating too much
- Excitement or emotional stress
- Sudden temperature changes
- Drinking carbonated beverages
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Swallowing air with chewing gum or sucking on candy
Hiccups that last more than 48 hours may be caused by a variety of factors, which can be grouped into the following categories.
Nerve damage or irritation
A cause of long-term hiccups is damage to or irritation of the vagus nerves or phrenic nerves, which serve the diaphragm muscle. Factors that may cause damage or irritation to these nerves include:
- A tumor, cyst or goiter in your neck
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- A hair or something else in your ear touching your eardrum
- Sore throat or laryngitis
Central nervous system disorders
A tumor or infection in your central nervous system or damage to your central nervous system as a result of trauma can disrupt your body’s normal control of the hiccup reflex. Examples include:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
- Encephalitis
- Meningitis
- Tumors
Metabolic disorders and drugs
Long-term hiccups can be triggered by:
- Barbiturates
- Diabetes
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Kidney disease
- Steroids
- Alcoholism
- Anesthesia
- Tranquilizers
Risk factors for Hiccups
Men are much more likely to develop long-term hiccups than are women. Other factors that may increase your risk of hiccups include:
- Surgery. Some people develop hiccups after undergoing general anesthesia or after procedures that involve abdominal organs.
- Mental or emotional issues. Anxiety, stress and excitement have been associated with some cases of short-term and long-term hiccups.