HICCUPS

Everyone has hiccups from time to time. Most episodes are harmless. A hiccup develops when something triggers the nerve that moves the diaphragm, a muscle used in breathing. Hiccups usually start suddenly and stop after a few seconds or minutes.

Eating too fast or too much, drinking carbonated or alcoholic beverages, sudden excitement or sudden change in temperature may trigger an episode of hiccups. Less common causes are any condition that irritates the diaphragm, such as pneumonia, chest or stomach surgery. Rarely, a stroke or brain tumor will interfere with the breathing center in the brain to cause hiccups.

There is no definite treatment for hiccups. Home remedies that may be tried are:

drinking a glass of cold water
holding your breath for a short time
breathing into a paper bag held tightly around nose and mouth for 5 to10 minutes
gargling with cold water
swallowing a teaspoon of dry granulated sugar

Sometimes babies get hiccups while feeding. Change the position of the baby and try burping. If the hiccups don't go away after a few minutes, give the baby a few sucks of water. Wait until the hiccups are gone before feeding again.

Call your healthcare provider for hiccups that do not go away in a few days or if you have frequent, repeated episodes.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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