Medicines for Hiccups

What it is

Hiccups are caused by sudden, involuntary contractions (spasms) of the diaphragm, the main breathing muscle, followed immediately by the quick closing of the vocal cords, which produces the characteristic "hic" sound. Almost everyone gets hiccups from time to time, and they are almost always harmless and short-lived, usually stopping on their own within minutes to a couple of hours. Common triggers for these ordinary bouts include eating too quickly or too much, fizzy drinks, alcohol, sudden temperature changes, excitement or stress, and swallowing air. Very occasionally, hiccups are persistent (lasting more than 48 hours) or recurrent, which is uncommon and can, rarely, be associated with an underlying cause — such as acid reflux, certain medicines, or, less commonly, other medical conditions — so long-lasting hiccups are worth checking. But for the vast majority of people, hiccups are simply a brief, harmless nuisance.

How it is treated

Ordinary short-lived hiccups need no treatment and stop on their own. Many people try simple home remedies to speed things up, which may help by interrupting the reflex — such as holding the breath, sipping or gargling cold water, breathing into a paper bag (briefly), or swallowing granulated sugar; these are harmless to try. Avoiding triggers (eating slowly, moderating fizzy drinks and alcohol) can help prevent bouts. The situation is different for persistent hiccups lasting more than 48 hours, or recurrent troublesome hiccups: these should be assessed by a doctor to look for any underlying cause (such as acid reflux or a contributing medicine) and, where needed, to treat the hiccups themselves — persistent hiccups can be tiring and interfere with eating and sleep, and there are treatments that can help. The reassuring message is that hiccups are almost always a harmless, brief nuisance, but hiccups lasting more than a couple of days should be checked.