What are Hiccups

Hiccups are the result of a sudden irritation of a muscle that is used for breathing (diaphragm). The diaphragm is located under your lungs and above your stomach.

When the diaphragm gets irritated, it may quickly tighten without your control (have a spasm). The spasm causes you to quickly suck in air, and that causes your vocal cords to close together quickly.

These reactions cause the hiccup sound. Hiccups usually last only a short amount of time (less than 48 hours). In unusual cases, they can last for days or months and require you to see your health care provider.

Common causes of hiccups include:

• Eating too quickly.
• Eating too much food.
• Drinking alcohol or bubbly (carbonated) drinks.
• Eating or drinking hot or spicy foods and drinks.
• Swallowing extra air when sucking on candy or a straw or chewing on gum.
• Feeling nervous, stressed, or excited.
• Having certain conditions that irritate the diaphragm nerves.
• Having metabolic or nervous system disorders.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Watch your hiccups for any changes.
• To prevent hiccups or to lessen discomfort from hiccups:
  • Eat and chew your food slowly.
  • Eat small meals, and avoid overeating.
  • Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink a day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks a day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.
  • Limit your drinking of carbonated or fizzy drinks, such as soda.
  • Avoid eating or drinking hot or spicy foods and drinks.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your hiccups last for more than 48 hours.
• Your hiccups do not improve with treatment.
• You cannot sleep or eat because of the hiccups.
• You have unexpected weight loss due to the hiccups.
• You have numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Get help right away if:

• You have trouble breathing or swallowing.
• You have severe pain in your abdomen.

Summary

• A hiccup is the result of a sudden irritation of a muscle that is used for breathing (diaphragm).
• Hiccups can be caused by many things, including eating too quickly.
• See your health care provider if your hiccups last for more than 48 hours.