HomeHealth TopicsDigestive SystemHiccups
Back to Digestive System
Hiccups
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Digestive System

Hiccups

Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm followed by the quick closing of the vocal cords, resulting in a characteristic sound.

What are hiccups?

There are two parts to a hiccup. The first is an involuntary movement of your diaphragm, a muscle at the base of your lungs that is the main muscle used for breathing. The second part is a quick closing of your vocal cords, which causes the "hic" sound.

What causes hiccups?

Hiccups can start and stop for no obvious reason. They often happen when something irritates your diaphragm, such as:

  • Eating too quickly
  • Eating too much
  • Eating hot or spicy foods
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Drinking carbonated drinks
  • Diseases that irritate the nerves that control the diaphragm
  • Feeling nervous or excited
  • A bloated stomach
  • Certain medicines
  • Abdominal surgery
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Central nervous system disorders

How can I get rid of hiccups?

Hiccups usually go away on their own after a few minutes. While there is no scientific proof that they work, the following suggestions are not harmful and may be tried:

  • Breathing into a paper bag
  • Drinking or sipping a glass of cold water
  • Holding your breath
  • Gargling with ice water

What are the treatments for chronic hiccups?

Some people have chronic hiccups, which last more than a few days or keep coming back. Chronic hiccups can interfere with your sleep, eating, drinking, and talking. If you have chronic hiccups, contact your health care provider. If you have a condition that is causing the hiccups, treating that condition may help. Otherwise, treatment options include medicines, surgery, and other procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

These techniques work primarily by interrupting the involuntary reflex arc that controls the diaphragm. Breath-holding and breathing into a paper bag increase blood carbon dioxide levels, which naturally depresses diaphragm hyperactivity. Swallowing ice water or gargling stimulates the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves, sending sensory signals to the brainstem that can reset the rhythmic firing of the phrenic nerve.
When an underlying cause cannot be identified or corrected, physicians may prescribe oral medications that stabilize nerve signaling or relax muscles. Commonly prescribed options include gabapentin, baclofen, and metoclopramide, as well as chlorpromazine, which is FDA-approved for intractable hiccups. In severe, refractory cases, interventional options like phrenic nerve blocks or vagus nerve stimulation may be considered.
You should consult a healthcare provider if hiccups persist continuously for more than 48 hours or recur frequently enough to disrupt sleep, eating, or daily activities. Seek emergency medical attention if persistent hiccups are accompanied by sudden neurological symptoms such as facial drooping, limb weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking, chest pain, or shortness of breath, as these can occasionally signal a central nervous system disorder, nerve compression, or a cardiovascular event.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss