What should you know about unstoppable hiccups?

Unstoppable hiccups need medical assessment when they persist, disrupt normal activities, or occur with other concerning symptoms. Hiccups are repeated involuntary spasms of the diaphragm, followed by quick closure of the vocal cords. A brief episode is often harmless, but ongoing spasms can make meals, sleep and conversation difficult.

Persistent hiccups may follow stomach irritation, overeating, alcohol, sudden temperature changes or swallowing air. Reflux or inflammation in the stomach can also irritate nearby nerves; see Acid Reflux and Gastritis for related information. Less commonly, continuing hiccups can accompany a medication effect or a problem affecting the chest, nerves or brain. The duration and any accompanying symptoms help a clinician decide how urgently to investigate them.

Sit upright, take small sips of cool water and eat slowly if you can swallow comfortably. Avoid alcohol, fizzy drinks, large meals and foods that clearly trigger the spasms. Do not try to frighten yourself, breathe into a paper bag, or use anything that could restrict breathing. Keep a note of when the hiccups began, what preceded them, medicines you take and whether eating or lying down changes them.

Arrange medical advice if hiccups continue or prevent sleep, eating, drinking or normal breathing. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, new weakness, confusion, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain or inability to keep fluids down. If reflux seems involved, a clinician can decide whether Acid Reflux Medication is appropriate rather than treating the cause blindly.

Could a stomach problem, medicine or another condition be triggering these hiccups? What symptoms would mean I need urgent care? Should I change any medicines or arrange further assessment?