[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/02\/what-causes-hiccups\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/02\/what-causes-hiccups\/","headline":"What Causes Hiccups?","name":"What Causes Hiccups?","description":"Curious about what causes hiccups? Usually, a case of the hiccups is simply annoying, but in rare cases, it could indicate an underlying medical condition.","datePublished":"2020-02-12","dateModified":"2025-07-31","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/primary-care-regions","name":"Primary Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/primary-care-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/primary-care\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/hiccups.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/hiccups.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/02\/what-causes-hiccups\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":475,"keywords":["chronic hiccups"],"articleBody":"Everyone gets hiccups from time to time.Maybe you\u2019ve tried to cure them by holding your breath or having someone scare you. But have you ever wondered what causes hiccups? And are hiccups ever dangerous?Read on for answers to these and other questions about hiccups.What Are Hiccups?Hiccups are spasms of your diaphragm. These spasms cause an intake of breath that\u2019s suddenly stopped by the quick closing of your vocal cords. The shutting of the vocal cords causes the \u201chic\u201d sound of a hiccup.\u201cHiccups are more prevalent in males and in tall people,\u201d says\u00a0Shane Eikenberry, MD, primary care doctor, Greater Pittsburgh Medical Associates\u2013UPMC.What Causes Hiccups?Hiccups\u00a0can occur when you have a very full stomach, which can be caused by:Drinking\u00a0too much alcohol.Eating too much too quickly.Stress or excitement,Sudden changes in stomach temperature caused by drinking a hot drink and then a cold drink, for example.Swallowing too much air (as a result of eating or drinking too fast, chewing gum, sucking on candy, drinking a carbonated beverage, or smoking).Are Hiccups Ever Dangerous?Hiccups are very rarely dangerous. But if hiccups last longer than 48 hours, they may be a sign of an underlying health issue, such as:A central nervous system problem, like cancer, infections, stroke, or injury.Irritation of the nerves in the head, neck, and chest.Mental health problems.A metabolic problem, such as decreased kidney function or hyperventilation.How to Stop HiccupsHiccups usually go away on their own within a few minutes. But if hiccups are bothering you, you can safely try a few quick home remedies to make them stop:Breathe into a paper bag.Drink a glass of cold water quickly.Hold your breath briefly.Pull on your tongue gently.Swallow a teaspoon of honey.Most hiccup home remedies work by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood.When to See a DoctorAlthough most hiccups go away on their own, if yours don\u2019t, you should see a doctor if:Hiccups affect eating, sleeping, or breathing.Hiccups last longer than two days.You experience other symptoms, like pain or vomiting.Chronic Hiccups Treatment OptionsIf your hiccups won\u2019t go away, you may have a case of chronic hiccups. A referral from your primary care doctor to a neurologist or an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist) may be in order.Treatment options for chronic hiccups include:Medications, particularly gabapentin, baclofen, and metoclopramide.Other therapies, including acupuncture or hypnosis.If you experience chronic hiccups, see your primary care doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.To learn more about what may be causing your hiccups, visit\u00a0UPMC Primary Care\u00a0or call\u00a01-855-676-8762\u00a0to schedule an appointment.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 12, 2020, and was last reviewed on July 31, 2025."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"02","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/02\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Causes Hiccups?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/02\/what-causes-hiccups\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]