Hiccup facts
What are hiccups?
A hiccup is a sudden, involuntary contraction (spasm) of the diaphragm muscle. When the muscle spasms, the vocal cords snap shut, producing the hiccup sound.
Hiccups are often rhythmic. They are usually just a temporary minor annoyance, but prolonged hiccups may signal a major medical problem. The longest recorded hiccup attack is six decades!
Women and men tend to get hiccups equally as often, but hiccups that last more than 48 hours are more common in men. Hiccups can even occur in a fetus while still in utero.
What causes hiccups?
Most of the time, there is no obvious cause for hiccups. However, there are some common known causes of hiccups.
Some causes of hiccups include:
Some medications may also have hiccups as a side effect, for example:
Learn more about: Valium | Xanax | Ativan | Zofran
What are the symptoms of hiccups?
Sudden, forceful movement of the diaphragm, that causes the hiccup sound, is the only symptom of hiccups.
When should I contact my doctor for hiccups?
Most cases of hiccups resolve themselves in a short period of time and are rarely a medical emergency. See your doctor if hiccups last more than three hours, or if they disturb your eating or sleeping habits.
If hiccups are associated with abdominal pain, fever, shortness of breath, vomiting, coughing up blood, or feeling as if your throat is going to close up, seek medical attention.
How are hiccups diagnosed?
Most of us know what a hiccup feels like and how to recognize it. In a medical setting, the diagnosis of hiccups is based on physical evaluation.
Blood tests or X-rays are usually not necessary unless your hiccups are a symptom of an associated medical condition.
What is the treatment or cure for hiccups?
Home Remedies for HiccupsThere are numerous home cures for hiccups. You can try these methods at home to get rid of hiccups:
Methods that cause the body to retain carbon dioxide, which is thought to relax the diaphragm and stop the spasms which cause the hiccups:
Techniques that stimulate the nasopharynx and the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to the stomach, and can decrease hiccupping:
Most hiccups will stop on their own. Home remedies are generally sufficient to resolve hiccupping.
For persistent hiccups (lasting more than three hours) treatment varies.
A physician may prescribe medications for severe, chronic hiccups. Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) is usually the first-line medication prescribed for hiccups. Other medications used to treat hiccups include haloperidol (Haldol) and metoclopramide (Reglan).
Learn more about: Thorazine | Haldol | Reglan
Some muscle relaxants, sedatives, analgesics, and even stimulants have also been reported to help alleviate hiccup symptoms.
Phrenic nerve surgery (the nerve that controls the diaphragm) is a treatment of last resort. This treatment is rarely performed and used only in cases that do not respond to other treatments.
What causes hiccups?
Most of the time, there is no obvious cause for hiccups. However, there are some common known causes of hiccups.
Some causes of hiccups include:
Some medications may also have hiccups as a side effect, for example:
Learn more about: Valium | Xanax | Ativan | Zofran
What are the symptoms of hiccups?
Sudden, forceful movement of the diaphragm, that causes the hiccup sound, is the only symptom of hiccups.
When should I contact my doctor for hiccups?
Most cases of hiccups resolve themselves in a short period of time and are rarely a medical emergency. See your doctor if hiccups last more than three hours, or if they disturb your eating or sleeping habits.
If hiccups are associated with abdominal pain, fever, shortness of breath, vomiting, coughing up blood, or feeling as if your throat is going to close up, seek medical attention.
How are hiccups diagnosed?
Most of us know what a hiccup feels like and how to recognize it. In a medical setting, the diagnosis of hiccups is based on physical evaluation.
Blood tests or X-rays are usually not necessary unless your hiccups are a symptom of an associated medical condition.
What is the treatment or cure for hiccups?
Home Remedies for HiccupsThere are numerous home cures for hiccups. You can try these methods at home to get rid of hiccups:
Methods that cause the body to retain carbon dioxide, which is thought to relax the diaphragm and stop the spasms which cause the hiccups:
Techniques that stimulate the nasopharynx and the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to the stomach, and can decrease hiccupping:
Most hiccups will stop on their own. Home remedies are generally sufficient to resolve hiccupping.
For persistent hiccups (lasting more than three hours) treatment varies.
A physician may prescribe medications for severe, chronic hiccups. Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) is usually the first-line medication prescribed for hiccups. Other medications used to treat hiccups include haloperidol (Haldol) and metoclopramide (Reglan).
Learn more about: Thorazine | Haldol | Reglan
Some muscle relaxants, sedatives, analgesics, and even stimulants have also been reported to help alleviate hiccup symptoms.
Phrenic nerve surgery (the nerve that controls the diaphragm) is a treatment of last resort. This treatment is rarely performed and used only in cases that do not respond to other treatments.
Source: http://www.rxlist.com
Blood tests or X-rays are usually not necessary unless your hiccups are a symptom of an associated medical condition.
Source: http://www.rxlist.com
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