If hiccups won't stop

Hiccups are repeated involuntary contractions of the breathing muscle followed by a sudden closure of the voice box. Eating quickly, fizzy drinks, alcohol, temperature changes, emotional stress, or stomach irritation can trigger short episodes. Persistent hiccups can also accompany reflux, inflammation, medicine effects, or less common problems affecting nerves or the chest.

[Acid Reflux](/conditions/acid-reflux/) and [Gastritis](/conditions/gastritis/) may irritate the upper digestive tract and contribute to repeated hiccups, especially when symptoms follow meals or lying down.

Sit upright, take small sips of cool water, breathe slowly, and eat modest meals. Avoid fizzy drinks, alcohol, very spicy foods, rapid eating, and lying down soon after food while the episode settles. Do not frighten yourself or use forceful breath-holding, choking methods, or unverified remedies.

Keep a note of when hiccups start, recent meals, medicines, reflux symptoms, and how they affect sleep or fluids. A clinician may treat an underlying cause; [Acid Reflux Medication](/treatments/medical-management/acid-reflux-medication/) is appropriate only when advised for your situation.

Seek urgent help if hiccups occur with severe chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, new weakness, confusion, repeated vomiting, or inability to swallow fluids. Arrange a medical appointment if they keep returning, prevent sleep or meals, cause weight loss, or continue despite simple measures. These features can signal more than a temporary trigger.

Ask: Could reflux, stomach irritation, or a medicine be triggering this? Do I need an examination or tests? Which treatments are suitable if hiccups are affecting sleep and food? What warning symptoms should send me to urgent care?