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About Hiccups

Hiccups (or hiccoughs) are a sudden, involuntary squeezing of the diaphragm, the main breathing muscle under the lungs. This squeezing action sucks air quickly into the lungs, snapping shut a valve (glottis) above the voice-box (larynx). This snapping makes the sound of a hiccup. Hiccups start suddenly, and usually last for only a few minutes. You might hiccup anywhere between 4 to 60 times a minute. Hiccups will usually stop on their own. However, persistent hiccups (lasting for more than 48 hours) are more common in men. Persistent hiccups can be very tiring and upsetting, and can make eating and drinking difficult. They are however rare, and are sometimes caused by an underlying disease.

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Western Medicine View

Normally hiccups do not need medical treatment and they will go away on their own. Medical treatment is needed only for persistent hiccups. In some cases the underlying cause can be identified and treated, in order to stop the hiccups coming back. Medication can be prescribed by your GP if no underlying cause is found. Tranquillisers, such as chlorpromazine and metoclopramide, work by relaxing the diaphragm muscle and the surrounding nerves. Medicines called anti-convulsants, such as phenytoin and valproic acid, can also help to stop the involuntary action of the diaphragm.

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Chinese Medicine View

Hiccup is mostly caused by irregular food intake which causes less stomach qi (qi refers to energy) or emotional frustration which greatly reduces the liver qi. The attack of the stomach by cold, overeating of raw and cold food, or taking drugs of a cold nature gives rise to retaining of the stomach yang and upwards movement of stomach qi.

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Treatment Options

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Reducing is applied for retention of food and stagnation of qi. Both acupuncture and moxibustion (which involves placing on the skin and igniting a cone or cylinder of moxa) are used for cold in the stomach. The treatment is aimed at pacifying in the stomach, producing a downward movement of qi (energy) and preventing hiccups.

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Lifestyle Advice

For personalised advice on diet and lifestyle, please ask the doctor during your consultation. Please be reminded that chinalife offers free health advice. [LINK]

-> Click here to contact us using our 'Online Health Advice' Form

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