Hiccups: causes and cures. 1985

J H Lewis

Hiccups result from a wide variety of conditions that act on the supraspinal hiccup center or that stimulate or disinhibit the limbs of its reflex arc. While scores of hiccup remedies have been reported over the centuries, no single "cure" stands out as being the most effective. Measures that stimulate the uvula or pharynx or disrupt diaphragmatic (respiratory) rhythm are simple to use and often help to speed the end of a bout of otherwise benign, self-limited hiccups. Such manueuvers may also terminate persistent hiccups. Drug therapy usually becomes necessary for more intractable hiccups; chlorpromazine and metoclopramide being two of the most widely employed agents for this purpose. Physical disruption of the phrenic nerve, hypnosis, and acupuncture are other modes of therapy that have been used in severe cases. Because so many reports of hiccup "cures" are based on anecdotal experience rather than controlled clinical studies, I review the available treatments to provide a rational approach for the management of hiccups.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006990 Hypnosis A state of increased receptivity to suggestion and direction, initially induced by the influence of another person or oneself. Autohypnosis,Clinical Hypnosis,Hypnoanalysis,Mesmerism,Self-Hypnosis,Hypnotherapy,Hypnotism,Hypnosis, Clinical,Hypnotherapies,Self Hypnosis
D006993 Hypnotics and Sedatives Drugs used to induce drowsiness or sleep or to reduce psychological excitement or anxiety. Hypnotic,Sedative,Sedative and Hypnotic,Sedatives,Hypnotic Effect,Hypnotic Effects,Hypnotics,Sedative Effect,Sedative Effects,Sedatives and Hypnotics,Effect, Hypnotic,Effect, Sedative,Effects, Hypnotic,Effects, Sedative,Hypnotic and Sedative
D009626 Terminology as Topic Works about the terms, expressions, designations, or symbols used in a particular science, discipline, or specialized subject area. Etymology,Nomenclature as Topic,Etymologies
D011183 Postoperative Complications Pathologic processes that affect patients after a surgical procedure. They may or may not be related to the disease for which the surgery was done, and they may or may not be direct results of the surgery. Complication, Postoperative,Complications, Postoperative,Postoperative Complication
D012021 Reflex, Abnormal An abnormal response to a stimulus applied to the sensory components of the nervous system. This may take the form of increased, decreased, or absent reflexes. Hyperreflexia,Hyporeflexia,Abnormal Deep Tendon Reflex,Abnormal Reflex,Abnormal Reflexes,Bulbocavernosus Reflex, Decreased,Bulbocavernousus Reflex Absent,Hoffman's Reflex,Palmo-Mental Reflex,Reflex, Absent,Reflex, Acoustic, Abnormal,Reflex, Anal, Absent,Reflex, Anal, Decreased,Reflex, Ankle, Abnormal,Reflex, Ankle, Absent,Reflex, Ankle, Decreased,Reflex, Biceps, Abnormal,Reflex, Biceps, Absent,Reflex, Biceps, Decreased,Reflex, Corneal, Absent,Reflex, Corneal, Decreased,Reflex, Decreased,Reflex, Deep Tendon, Abnormal,Reflex, Deep Tendon, Absent,Reflex, Gag, Absent,Reflex, Gag, Decreased,Reflex, Knee, Abnormal,Reflex, Knee, Decreased,Reflex, Moro, Asymmetric,Reflex, Pendular,Reflex, Triceps, Abnormal,Reflex, Triceps, Absent,Reflex, Triceps, Decreased,Reflexes, Abnormal,Absent Reflex,Decreased Bulbocavernosus Reflex,Decreased Reflex,Palmo Mental Reflex,Pendular Reflex,Reflex Absent, Bulbocavernousus,Reflex, Decreased Bulbocavernosus,Reflex, Hoffman's,Reflex, Palmo-Mental
D002746 Chlorpromazine The prototypical phenothiazine antipsychotic drug. Like the other drugs in this class chlorpromazine's antipsychotic actions are thought to be due to long-term adaptation by the brain to blocking DOPAMINE RECEPTORS. Chlorpromazine has several other actions and therapeutic uses, including as an antiemetic and in the treatment of intractable hiccup. Aminazine,Chlorazine,Chlordelazine,Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride,Contomin,Fenactil,Largactil,Propaphenin,Thorazine,Hydrochloride, Chlorpromazine
D006606 Hiccup A spasm of the diaphragm that causes a sudden inhalation followed by rapid closure of the glottis which produces a sound. Hiccough,Hiccoughs,Hiccups
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000005 Abdomen That portion of the body that lies between the THORAX and the PELVIS. Abdomens
D000428 Alcohol Drinking Behaviors associated with the ingesting of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, including social drinking. Alcohol Consumption,Alcohol Intake,Drinking, Alcohol,Alcohol Drinking Habits,Alcohol Drinking Habit,Alcohol Intakes,Consumption, Alcohol,Drinking Habit, Alcohol,Habit, Alcohol Drinking,Habits, Alcohol Drinking,Intake, Alcohol

Related Publications

J H Lewis
November 2016, The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners,
J H Lewis
August 2004, Scientific American,
J H Lewis
January 1998, Radiology management,
J H Lewis
January 2003, Nursing times,
J H Lewis
July 1973, Medical times,
J H Lewis
January 1996, The National medical journal of India,
J H Lewis
January 1971, Family planning perspectives,
J H Lewis
February 1977, Dental economics - oral hygiene,
J H Lewis
February 1978, American family physician,
J H Lewis
November 1976, The Western journal of medicine,
Copied contents to your clipboard!