What Causes Hiccups and How to Get Rid of Them

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2014/04/08 - Updated: 2021/01/26
Topic: Respiratory Disorders - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Information on the causes of the annoying hiccups including several remedies and tips on how to get rid of them. The medical term for hiccups is Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter (SDF), or singultus, which is Latin for the act of catching one's breath while sobbing.

Introduction

One of the most annoying medical phenomena, hiccups affects all of us, but what are hiccups? And the accompanying "hic" sound? A hiccup is defined as an unintentional movement, or spasm, of the diaphragm - the muscle at the base of your lungs. The spasm is followed by a quick closing of the vocal cords, which in turn produces the distinctive "Hic" sound.

Focus

Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter (SDF)

The medical term for hiccups is Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter (SDF), or singultus, which is Latin for the act of catching one's breath while sobbing. Hiccups are caused by involuntary diaphragm contractions, which make the vocal cords spasm. The contractions can be caused by a number of things like eating too much, drinking too much alcohol or carbonated beverages - even by stress or sudden changes in the temperature, according to the Mayo Clinic Website. Most people hiccup from 4 to 60 times per minute during an attack of the hiccups, everyone has a specific lifelong hiccup pattern. Hiccups are only found in mammals, and are most common in infants.

The average hiccups last from a few minutes to a couple of hours, however some people have been known to suffer from hiccuping episodes that last days, months or even years. According to Guinness World Records, the record for hiccuping continuously is held by Charles Osborne, from Anthon, Iowa, USA. He hiccuped continuously for 68 years, from 1922 to 1990!

Hiccups that last more than 48 hours can be categorized into:

Common Hiccup Causes

Getting Rid of Hiccups

Some of the more popular hiccup cures work by stimulating your nasopharynx, this is the part of your pharynx behind the tonsils that is continuous with the nasal passage. These remedies include biting into a lemon, drinking from the far side of a glass, or pulling on your tongue.

Prescription Medication for Hiccups

A doctor should be consulted if you have the hiccups for 48 hours or more, as a number of prescription medications are available for persistent hiccups, including:

Author Credentials: Ian is an Australian-born writer, editor, and advocate who currently resides in Montreal, Canada. He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.

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Citing and References

Founded in 2004, Disabled World (DW) is a leading resource on disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility, supporting the disability community. Learn more on our About Us page.

Cite This Page: Disabled World. (2014, April 8 - Last revised: 2021, January 26). What Causes Hiccups and How to Get Rid of Them. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved May 24, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/health/respiratory/hiccup.php

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