Hiccups are often nothing more than a nuisance. A random hiccup might happen if you eat too fast or drink fizzy pop. But certain medical conditions, medications and surgeries can cause hiccups that continue for days, weeks or longer. In such cases, you may need treatment to help get rid of your hiccups and manage the underlying cause.
Hiccups are repeated spasms of your diaphragm paired with a “hic” sound from your vocal cords closing. Your diaphragm is a thin, dome-shaped muscle that separates your chest from your belly. It moves downward when you breathe in and upward when you breathe out.
Two things happen when you hiccup:
These actions make the “hic” sound of a hiccup.
Hiccups usually go away on their own without any treatment. However, some people have hiccups that go on much longer than normal. You should call a healthcare provider if your hiccups last longer than two days. This could be a sign of a more serious condition that needs medical attention.
Other names for hiccups include:
Healthcare providers classify hiccups according to how long they last:
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The main symptoms of hiccups are a spasm in your diaphragm and a “hic” sound that comes out of your mouth. Some people with persistent hiccups experience spasms in their diaphragm without the “hic” sound.
Hiccups happen when something irritates the nerves that cause your diaphragm to contract. These nerves, including your vagus nerve and phrenic nerve, make up a pathway that experts call a reflex arc. Reflex arcs manage your body’s involuntary functions. These are processes you don’t consciously control (like breathing, digestion and heart rate). Irritation of the nerves that control your diaphragm can cause it to suddenly contract.
So, why do hiccups happen for just a short time in most people but for much longer in others? That’s because the causes of transient hiccups (lasting a few seconds to a few minutes) are different from the causes of persistent or other long-lasting hiccups.
There’s often no clear cause for a random hiccup or two. But certain triggers might play a role, like:
Various medical conditions can cause persistent hiccups, including:
Some medications can also cause persistent hiccups. Examples include:
Persistent hiccups may also happen after certain surgeries or procedures, including those that require general anesthesia.
Transient hiccups don’t lead to complications. But persistent hiccups may lead to:
Hiccups are common and normal in babies. Healthcare providers don’t know exactly why baby hiccups happen, but they believe it’s because of increased gas in your baby’s stomach. Your baby might eat a lot or swallow too much air while eating. As a result, their tummy expands and irritates their diaphragm.
In some babies, hiccups are a sign of GERD. In this case, your baby will have other symptoms besides hiccups, like coughing and spitting up. Call your pediatrician if you notice these issues.
If you have hiccups for just a few minutes, you likely won’t think to call a healthcare provider. But you should call one if your hiccups last more than two days (persistent hiccups). They may ask you to come in for an appointment where they’ll:
Your provider will use this information to identify what’s causing your persistent hiccups. Hiccups that won’t go away are sometimes a sign of a more serious condition that needs diagnosis and treatment.
Your provider may order some tests to find the cause of your persistent hiccups. Tests you may need include:
The verdict is still out on how to stop hiccups that happen randomly. Experts haven’t found a hiccup cure. But transient hiccups usually go away on their own without you doing anything to stop them.
Still, you may feel so annoyed that you want to try a home remedy. Anecdotal evidence suggests certain home remedies might help by stimulating your vagus nerve or increasing carbon dioxide levels in your lungs.
To try and get rid of bothersome transient hiccups, you can:
Hiccups that last longer than two days are more than just a nuisance. They can interfere with your quality of life and lead to trouble with basic needs like eating or sleeping. Possible medications a healthcare provider may prescribe for you include:
Your provider will determine the best medicine according to the cause of your hiccups.
If another medication you’re taking is causing your hiccups, your provider may tell you to stop taking it and take another instead. Never stop taking a medication unless your provider tells you to.
Other treatments your provider may suggest include nerve blocks or hypnosis. There’s currently limited data to support the use of acupuncture in treating hiccups.
You may be able to prevent transient hiccups by:
Transient hiccups go away within a couple minutes. Persistent or intractable hiccups can last days, weeks or even months.
Yes. Transient hiccups usually go away without any home remedies or other treatment. However, persistent or intractable hiccups often need treatment.
There are many reasons why you might keep getting hiccups. If you seem to get them often, think about what you’re doing immediately before the hiccups start. It may help to keep a journal. You may then notice patterns (like hiccups that often happen after eating or drinking certain things). Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns or if your hiccups go on for more than two days straight.
Call your healthcare provider if your hiccups last longer than two days.
Call 911 or your local emergency number if you have hiccups along with symptoms of a stroke or pulmonary embolism. These are medical emergencies, and you need immediate care.
Hiccups are usually minor annoyances that go away on their own. But sometimes, hiccups last longer and seem to refuse to go away. Persistent hiccups can greatly affect your quality of life. If this happens to you, don’t hesitate to talk to your healthcare provider. They’ll find the cause and recommend treatment so you can start feeling better.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/12/2024.
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