Hiccups are a symptom, varcharacterized by repeated, involuntary spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm. Hiccups involve the diaphragm and phrenic nerve and almost everybody gets hiccups, including a fetus in a mother’s womb.
Causes of Hiccup
Causes of short term hiccups include: irritation of nerves that control breathing muscles, and unknown. Causes of prolonged or recurrent hiccup episodes may be caused by: swallowing hot or irritating substances, diseases of the pleura , pneumonia, uremia, alcoholism, use of certain prescription or non-prescription drugs, disorders of the stomach, esophagus, bowel or pancreas, pregnancy, bladder irritation, hepatitis, spread of cancer from another part of the body to the liver or part of the pleura, recent surgery, especially abdominal surgery, and emotional causes.
Signs and Symptoms of Hiccup
Symptoms include: a sharp, quick sound produced from the mouth by a spasm of the diaphragm.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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