What Causes Persistent Hiccups?

Posted on Mon, 3 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 3 Nov 2014 Answered on

Thu, 27 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : hi my name is XXXXXXX
24 yr old male
today from 4 o clock
i am havin hiccups and its still there.. being more than 4 hours . how do i stop it . is anything serious?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Following stopping-hiccups measures....

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Following are some advise on how to stop hiccups:

1. Hold your breathe
2. Drink a glass of cold water quickly
3. Take an half of teaspoon with dry sugar and place at the back of tongue. Hold for 2 minutes and repeat again.

In your case, hiccup is acute and might be due to:
- drinking carbonated drinks (at lunch for example)
- eating too much
- keeping chewing gum or candy in the mouth and keep it chewing up; more air is swallowed leading to hiccups
- being under stress
- sudden changes in the temperature

If hiccup won't stop in a few days, should consult with your physician to find out the cause.

Hope it helped!
Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj