Suggest home remedies for hiccups

Posted on Sat, 31 Jan 2015

Question: I am reading the answer below about hiccups after a stomach virus. I did have stomach virus last week. I am now in my fourth day of hiccups. I tried numerous home remedies. Some have worked only to have the hiccups return. It is not improving at this point. In fact it is getting worse. Losing much sleep. Went to the doctor yesterday & was given cyclobenzaprine a muscle relaxer. It doesn't seem to be helping whatsoever. I am scheduled to see neurologist tomorrow. The doctor took a chest xray and said that was normal. Do you have any input or suggestions. This is extremely annoying. When I do find something that works, it works for at best an hour and then it is back to constant hiccupping. Help.

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Persistent hiccups. Requires to be investigated

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM and thanks for your query.
Any condition that irritates the diaphragm can cause hiccups.Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours are called persistent hiccups.There are many known causes of persistent including:
Central nervous system problems, such as cancer, infections, stroke, or injury.
Problems with the chemical processes that take place in the body (metabolic problems), such as decreased kidney function or hyperventilation.
Irritation of the nerves in the head, neck, and chest (vagus or phrenic nerve).
Mental health problems.
Your doctor will investigate you to find the cause.
In the meantime you could try a proton pump inhibitor and metoclopramide or chlorpromazine for relief.
Take care,
Dr Noble Zachariah

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar