You know what it’s like. That sudden tight feeling hits under your ribcage and a hiccup comes out, whether you want it to or not.
Hiccups can be annoying or even embarrassing, but they are usually short and harmless. They come on unexpectedly, make that “hic” sound for a few minutes and then disappear.
But sometimes, hiccups can last much longer. If that happens, you can feel frustrated and tired. You could even develop health problems.
“If your hiccups last longer than 48 hours, it could be a sign of something more serious,” said Wahid Wassef, MD, a gastroenterologist with Banner – University Medicine. Here’s what to know about chronic hiccups, what might be causing them and when you should see a health care provider.
What causes hiccups and why do they happen?
Hiccups happen when your diaphragm spasms or tightens suddenly. Your diaphragm is a muscle that sits just below your lungs and helps you breathe. When it spasms, it pulls air into your throat quickly. “That rush of air causes your vocal cords to close, which creates the ‘hic’ sound,” Dr. Wassef said.
Hiccups can be triggered by everyday things like:
- Swallowing air when you’re chewing gum or you eat too fast
- Drinking carbonated beverages like soda
- Drinking alcohol
- Eating spicy foods
- Feeling full or bloated
- Being exposed to a sudden change in temperature
- Becoming excited
Most of the time, these triggers are harmless and hiccups go away on their own.
Why do hiccups last longer than 48 hours?
Long-term hiccups are rare but they can be caused by:
- Irritation to the phrenic nerves or vagus nerves, which are nerves that help control your diaphragm
- Irritation to the diaphragm from processes in the gallbladder, stomach or colon, or from a subphrenic abscess (an abscess below the diaphragm)
- Stroke, brain injury or other nervous system conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or other digestive problems
- Metabolic or hormone imbalances
- Tumors or growths that press on nerves in the chest or brain
- Some medications or types of anesthesia
- Tympanic membrane (eardrum) irritation
- Food allergies
Hiccups that last more than 48 hours are called persistent hiccups. When they last for days, weeks or even longer, they’re called intractable hiccups.
“Persistent or intractable hiccups can be a sign of a nervous system problem, inflammation below the diaphragm or possible cancer in the abdomen or other parts of the body,” Dr. Wassef said. If your hiccups include other symptoms, like weight loss, chest pain or fatigue, talk to your health care provider.
What happens if hiccups last for days or weeks?
If you’ve found it annoying or frustrating to have hiccups that last for more than a few minutes, imagine the toll they can take on your health and daily life if they last for days or weeks.
Chronic hiccups may lead to:
- Sleep problems
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- Weight loss from trouble eating
- Dehydration
- Irritation to your vocal cords
- Reduced quality of life, including stress and embarrassment
- Irregular heartbeat
- Gastroesophageal reflux
“In some cases, long-term hiccups may also make other health conditions worse, especially if they keep you from eating or sleeping well,” Dr. Wassef said.
How to stop hiccups fast at home
If you have hiccups, it might help to:
- Breathe into a paper bag slowly or hold your breath
- Drink cold water in small, steady sips, gargle with cold water or suck on an ice cube
- Swallow a spoonful of sugar or honey, smell black pepper so you sneeze or pull your tongue forward
- Try to make yourself burp
- Squat
- Press on the indentation at the inner end of you right eyebrow (where the nose bridge meets the brow bone) a few times
“These methods may help reset the signals between your brain, diaphragm and nervous system,” Dr. Wassef said. They work by shifting your body’s reflex response and calming the diaphragm.
These techniques may only work for short-term cases of hiccups, and what works for one person might not work for someone else.
When should I see a health care provider for hiccups?
You should see a health care provider for hiccups that:
- Last longer than 48 hours
- Accompany other symptoms like vomiting, trouble breathing or weight loss
- Keep coming back frequently
- Interfere with eating, drinking or sleeping
Your provider may run tests, like imaging or bloodwork, to rule out conditions that affect your phrenic or vagus nerves, brain or digestive system. In rare cases, they may order a CT scan of the chest or abdomen to check for anything affecting the phrenic nerve.
What are the treatments for persistent or intractable hiccups?
There’s not one treatment for persistent hiccups. Your care team will focus on finding the cause and relieving your symptoms.
Treatments may include:
- Medications to relax your diaphragm, calm your nervous system, suppress acid or speed up your digestive system including baclofen, chlorpromazine, antidepressants, lidocaine or omeprazole
- Addressing an issue like GERD or a nerve condition
- Breathing exercises or physical therapy
- In rare cases, surgery or nerve blocks
Why choose Banner Health for chronic hiccup care?
At Banner Health, we understand how frustrating long-term hiccups can be. Our experts in gastroenterology, neurology and internal medicine will work closely with you to identify what’s causing the hiccups and to help you find relief.
If your hiccups are interfering with your life, don’t wait. An expert at Banner Health can help you find relief.
Could your hiccups be a sign of acid reflux? Learn more about your risk for acid reflux by taking our free health risk assessment.
