Is it normal for hiccups to be painful

Get Daily Fitness Inspiration Right in your inbox. Customize Select the topics that interest you:. Working Out. Weight Loss. Book Swipe Shop. We're Hiring! Terms Privacy Policy. Don't Miss Out! Yes, Please No Thanks. Maneuvers that affect the nerve reflex may knock out your hiccups.

The Valsalva maneuver is performed by attempting to exhale while closing your mouth and pinching your nose shut at the same time. This motion stimulates the vagus nerve, called a vagal nerve response, and it can interrupt the hiccups.

I like to think of it as rebooting your nervous system; sort of a reset for the irritated nerves. Ingesting ice or applying mild pressure to your closed eye might also reboot this nervous system response. You also may get rid of hiccups with a spoonful of sugar to stimulate the back of your throat which also might cause a vagal nerve response. Eating peanut butter from a spoon might relax the back of your throat and could help. Interestingly, some patients have had success getting rid of hiccups by eating a lemon wedge.

The one common recommendation to be cautioned against is the tradition of scaring someone to rid them of hiccups. While the gasp of fright may induce a vagal nerve response that interrupts the spasm, it also risks dangerous side effects: If you scare someone, they could lose their balance and fall, and being startled may also negatively impact an underlying heart condition. There are two scenarios that should send you for medical care.

First, if hiccups persist more than a couple of days, you should seek care with your primary care provider. This is important especially if the hiccups are preventing you from sleeping. More important than the duration, though, is the onset of additional symptoms with the hiccups. Triggers of hiccups The cause of hiccups is often unknown and there may be no apparent trigger. Various triggers, particularly those that cause pressure on the diaphragm, are known to prompt an attack of hiccups in some people from time to time.

Some of these triggers include: Eating food too quickly Hot or spicy foods Indigestion Overconsumption of alcohol Fizzy drinks Cigarette smoking Stress Bad odours Pregnancy. Self-help strategies Hiccups are harmless and usually resolve by themselves in a few minutes.

Hiccups may be symptomatic of disease Hiccups that last for days, weeks or even years may be symptomatic of underlying disease. Certain lung or brain disorders can sometimes interfere with the functioning of the diaphragm and make the person prone to hiccups. Hiccups may also be a side effect of surgery or particular medications.

Some of the diseases, conditions and drugs that may prompt frequent or prolonged attacks of hiccups include: Oesophagitis inflammation of the oesophagus An overactive thyroid gland Pleurisy inflammation of the membrane surrounding the lungs Pneumonia inflammation of the lungs Kidney disease Brain damage, such as stroke or tumour, that affects the area of the brain which controls the diaphragm Abdominal surgery Chest surgery Certain epilepsy medications Nicotine gum Medical treatment Prolonged hiccups should be medically investigated.

Treatment options may include: Treatment for the underlying disorder Changes to current drug dosages Switching to another form of nicotine therapy Anti-spasmodic drugs to calm the diaphragm A tube inserted into the nose nasogastric intubation A nerve block Surgery, to sever some of the nerves servicing the diaphragm. Where to get help Your doctor Things to remember Hiccups, or hiccoughs, are involuntary sounds made by spasms of the diaphragm.

Hiccups are usually harmless and resolve by themselves after a few minutes. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Hiccups: What causes them Open pop-up dialog box Close. Hiccups: What causes them Hiccups are caused by involuntary contractions of your diaphragm — the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen and plays an important role in breathing.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Bope ET, et al. Symptomatic care pending diagnosis.