Hiccups

 

Contents

When to see a doctor

Nerve damage or irritation

Central nervous system disorders

Metabolic disorders and drugs

What you can do

What to expect from your doctor

Laboratory tests

Imaging tests

Endoscopic tests

Medications

Surgical and other procedures

 

Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm — the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen and plays an important role in breathing. Each contraction is followed by a sudden closure of your vocal cords, which produces the characteristic "hic" sound.

Hiccups may result from a large meal, alcoholic 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 malnutrition and exhaustion.

The characteristic sound of a hiccup is the only sign. Sometimes the only symptom is a slight tightening sensation in your chest, abdomen or throat that precedes the sound.

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.

The most common triggers for hiccups that last less than 48 hours include:

·         Drinking carbonated beverages

·         Drinking too much alcohol

·         Eating too much

·         Excitement or emotional stress

·         Sudden temperature changes

·         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 are generally grouped into the following categories.

Nerve damage or irritation

 

The most common 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 hair or something else in your ear touching your eardrum

·         A tumor, cyst or goiter in your neck

·         Gastroesophageal reflux

·         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:

·         Encephalitis

·         Meningitis

·         Multiple sclerosis

·         Stroke

·         Traumatic brain injury

·         Tumors

Metabolic disorders and drugs

 

Long-term hiccups can be triggered by:

·         Alcoholism

·         Anesthesia

·         Barbiturates

·         Diabetes

·         Electrolyte imbalance

·         Kidney failure

·         Steroids

·         Tranquilizers

Men are much more likely to develop long-term hiccups than are women. Other factors that may increase your risk of hiccups include:

·         Mental or emotional issues. Anxiety, stress and excitement have been associated with some cases of short-term and long-term hiccups.

·         Surgery. Some people develop hiccups after undergoing general anesthesia or after procedures that involve abdominal organs.

Prolonged hiccups may interfere with:

·         Eating

·         Sleeping

·         Speech

·         Wound healing after surgery

While you may initially consult your family doctor about your persistent hiccups, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in neurological disorders.

What you can do

 

You may want to write a list that includes:

·         Detailed descriptions of your symptoms

·         Information about medical problems you've had

·         Information about the medical problems of your parents or siblings

·         All the medications and dietary supplements you take

·         Questions you want to ask the doctor

What to expect from your doctor

 

Your doctor may ask:

·         When did your hiccups start?

·         How often do they occur?

·         Is there anything that worsens or alleviates them?

·         What medications are you taking?

·         Have you had a sore throat or earache?

·         Do you have indigestion symptoms or bloating?

·         Have you had a sore throat or changes in your voice?

·         Have you had chest pain, cough or difficulty breathing?

During the physical exam, your doctor may perform a neurological exam to check your:

·         Balance and coordination

·         Muscle strength and tone

·         Reflexes

·         Sight and sense of touch

If your doctor suspects an underlying medical condition may be causing your hiccups, he or she may recommend one or more of the following tests.

Laboratory tests

 

Samples of your blood may be checked for signs of:

·         Infection

·         Diabetes

·         Kidney disease

Imaging tests

 

These types of tests may be able to detect anatomical abnormalities that may be affecting the vagus nerve, phrenic nerve or diaphragm. Imaging tests may include:

·         Chest X-ray

·         Computerized tomography (CT)

·         Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Endoscopic tests

 

These procedures utilize a thin, flexible tube containing a tiny camera, which is passed down your throat to check for problems in your esophagus or windpipe.

Most cases of hiccups go away on their own without medical treatment. If an underlying medical condition is causing your hiccups, treatment of that illness may eliminate the hiccups. The following treatments may be considered for hiccups that have lasted longer than two days.

Medications

 

Drugs commonly used to treat long-term hiccups include:

·         Chlorpromazine

·         Metoclopramide

·         Baclofen

Surgical and other procedures

 

If less invasive treatments aren't effective, your doctor may recommend an injection of an anesthetic to block your phrenic nerve to stop hiccups.

Another option is to surgically implant a battery-operated device to deliver mild electrical stimulation to your vagus nerve. This procedure is most commonly used to treat epilepsy, but it has also helped control persistent hiccups.

Although there's no certain way to stop hiccups, if you have a bout of hiccups that lasts longer than a few minutes, the following home remedies may provide relief, although they are unproven:

·         Breathe into a paper bag

·         Gargle with ice water

·         Hold your breath

·         Sip cold water

When long-term hiccups don't respond to other remedies, alternative treatments, such as hypnosis and acupuncture, may be helpful.

 

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiccups/basics/definition/CON-20031471?p=1