Hiccups - Medtick
Medtick

Hiccups

What is it?

Hiccups lasting longer than 48 hours are considered persistent or longer than usual.

  • Hiccups lasting longer than 1 month are termed intractable.

Cause

Conditions that can give rise to diaphragmatic irritation that causes hiccups include:

Syndromes

Metabolic causes of hiccups include:

Central nervous system-related causes of hiccups include:

Conditions associated with irritation of the following branches of the vagus nerve irritation can cause hiccups:

Other causes:

Medication

  • Benzodiazepines: At low doses, these medications have been linked to the development of hiccups; however, at higher doses, they may help treat hiccups.
  • Short-acting barbiturates
  • Inhaled anaesthetics
  • Donepezil
  • Cisplatin
  • Dexamethasone
  • Alpha-methyldopa

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for ambulance if have or develop:

Treatment:

  • Many of the traditional non-pharmacologic remedies used in the emergency department have a sound physiologic basis, in that they have an effect on components of the hiccup reflex.
  • Examples include:
    • Stimulation of the nasopharynx by applying forcible traction to the tongue, swallowing granulated sugar, gargling with water, sipping ice water, drinking from the far side of a glass, biting on a lemon, or inhaling noxious agents [i.e. smelling salts (ammonia), talk to your pharmacist first]
    • C3-5 dermatome stimulation by tapping or rubbing the back of the neck, coolant sprays, or acupuncture
    • Direct pharyngeal (back of the throat) stimulation by a nasal or oral catheter (as much as 90% effective)
    • Direct uvular (back of the tongue) stimulation by a spoon or cotton-tip applicator
    • Removal of gastric contents by means of emetics or a nasogastric tube

The following remedies lead to vagal stimulation (only one should be used at any given time):

  • Iced gastric lavage
  • Valsalva maneuver
  • Carotid sinus massage (performed only by experienced personnel after exclusion of contraindications)
  • Digital ocular globe pressure (performed only by experienced personnel after exclusion of contraindications)
  • Digital rectal massage

Medscape

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Hiccups in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

© Medtick - 2025. All Rights Reserved.