Hiccups, an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, cause the vocal cords to produce the "hic" sound as they close. In the medical field, hiccups are known as singultus. If hiccups last longer than 48 hours, seek medical attention. The doctor may perform exams to find out why the hiccups are occurring. Blood tests, a chest x-ray, MRI, CT scan and an ear exam are performed to determine the cause of the hiccups. Many different treatments for hiccups are available, ranging from medical treatments to home remedies
Home Remedies
Many remedies for hiccups have been known for years. According to Dr. John Renner, several home remedies are actually effective in relieving hiccups. Increasing carbon dioxide levels in the body affects the diaphragm in such a way that it stops hiccups, hence breathing in and out of a paper bag cures hiccups. Other successful home remedies include swallowing a teaspoon of sugar, holding your breath, drinking a cold glass of water, having someone scare you, gargling ice water, using your fingers to pull your tongue, eating a spoonful of peanut butter, taking deep breaths, eating a mixture of salt and yogurt, sucking on ginger or ice, and touching the back of the throat or the roof of the mouth. These home remedies all involve stimulation of the glottis (middle part of the larynx where the vocal cords are located), which in turn will cure hiccups.
Medications
Various medications can be prescribed to halt the hiccups. Some of the medications are Thorazine, Valium, Reglan, and muscle relaxers. An underlying illness such as asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis, tumor in the neck, or infection of the central nervous system, such as meningitis, may be a cause of hiccups. In this case, usually treating the illness will treat the hiccups.
Invasive Procedures
In cases of the most severe hiccups, an invasive surgical procedure may be necessary for relief. An example these procedures would be a physician inserting a nasogastric tube, which is a thin flexible tube introduced through the nose, and extending it into the stomach. Another procedure would be a nerve block. This involves a physician injecting an anesthetic to block the phrenic nerve (nerve that supplies the diaphragm). Stimulation of the vagus nerve has also proven to be effective in treating hiccups. This procedure involves surgically implanting a device that delivers a mild electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve (nerve that supplies many organs including the stomach) into the chest.
