What are hiccups?
Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm — the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen and plays an important role in breathing.
Each contraction is followed by a sudden closure of your vocal cords, which produces the characteristic "hic" sound.
In some cases, hiccups may be a sign of an underlying medical condition. For most people, a bout of hiccups usually lasts only a few minutes. Rarely, hiccups may persist for months. This can result in weight loss and exhaustion.
Make an appointment to see your doctor if your hiccups last more than 48 hours or if they are so severe that they cause problems with eating, sleeping or breathing.
Causes
The most common triggers for hiccups that last less than 48 hours include:
- Drinking carbonated beverages
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Eating too much
- Excitement or emotional stress
- Sudden temperature changes
- Swallowing air with chewing gum or sucking on candy
Hiccups that last more than 48 hours may be caused by a variety of factors, which can be grouped into the following categories.
- Nerve damage or irritation
- Central nervous system disorders
- Metabolic disorders and drugs
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiccups/symptoms-causes/syc-
20352613
