What causes persistent hiccups?

Mar 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Shen Yonghua

Introduction

Eating quickly can cause you to swallow large amounts of air, which accumulates in the stomach, irritating the diaphragm and possibly causing frequent hiccups, often accompanied by a feeling of bloating. To improve this, eat more slowly and chew your food thoroughly, avoid talking while eating to reduce air swallowing. Taking a proper walk after meals can promote gastrointestinal motility, accelerate gas expulsion, and alleviate hiccups.

Frequent hiccups may be caused by eating too quickly, consuming irritating foods, indigestion, gastritis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and management can vary depending on the specific situation. If physical discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and follow medical advice for treatment.

1. Eating too quickly: When eating rapidly, large amounts of air may be swallowed and accumulate in the stomach, stimulating the diaphragm and potentially causing frequent hiccups, often accompanied by a feeling of bloating. To improve this, slow down during meals, chew food thoroughly, avoid talking while eating to reduce air swallowing. Taking a light walk after meals can promote gastrointestinal motility and help expel gas, alleviating hiccups.

2. Consuming irritating foods: Eating excessive spicy or cold foods, or drinking carbonated beverages and strong alcoholic drinks, may irritate the esophagus and stomach, leading to diaphragm spasms and persistent hiccups, which may be accompanied by heartburn or stomach pain. Adjusting the diet by reducing intake of irritating foods and drinking more warm water can help soothe the esophagus and stomach discomfort, thus alleviating hiccups.

3. Indigestion: Insufficient gastrointestinal motility or irregular eating habits may cause food to remain in the stomach for too long, fermenting and producing gas, which can stimulate the diaphragm and cause hiccups, often accompanied by bloating and loss of appetite. Patients may take medications such as domperidone tablets, Jianwei Xiaoshi tablets (digestive tablets), or compound digestive enzyme capsules under a doctor's guidance to promote digestion.

4. Gastritis: Inflammation of the gastric mucosa caused by Helicobacter pylori infection or long-term unhealthy eating habits can lead to increased gas in the stomach, which may stimulate the diaphragm to contract frequently, manifesting as recurring hiccups, accompanied by upper abdominal pain and acid regurgitation. It is recommended to follow medical instructions to use medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, amoxicillin capsules, or colloidal bismuth pectin capsules to relieve symptoms.

5. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Stomach acid reflux into the esophagus can irritate the esophageal mucosa, causing inflammation, pain, and potentially stimulating the diaphragm nerves, leading to hiccups, which may be accompanied by retrosternal burning sensation, acid regurgitation, and belching. Patients can use medications such as cisapride tablets, esomeprazole magnesium enteric-coated tablets, or rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets under medical guidance to alleviate discomfort.

In daily life, it is recommended to maintain healthy eating habits, ensure adequate rest, and consume a light and balanced diet, which helps in recovery.

References:

[1] Wang Jiali, Li Xiaohong, Pei Wenjing, et al. Interpretation of "Modern Diagnosis Update for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Lyon Consensus 2.0" [J]. Peking Union Medical College Hospital, 2025, 16(01): 125-132.

[2] Wang Jingwen. Clinical Value of Shugan Jieyu Capsules Combined with Domperidone Tablets in the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia [J]. Inner Mongolia Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2025, 44(02): 45-47.

View All

What causes frequent hiccups?

Hiccups usually refer to singultus. Frequent hiccups may be related to eating too quickly, improper diet, psychological factors, functional gastrointestinal disorders, chronic gastritis, etc. It is important to promptly visit a正规 hospital for evaluation and follow medical advice to improve the condition through general treatments, medications, or other methods. During treatment, adequate rest should be ensured, staying up late should be avoided, and sufficient sleep should be maintained.

View Full Answer

What causes hiccups?

Hiccups usually refer to singultus, which may be associated with eating too quickly, improper diet, abdominal exposure to cold, chronic gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other conditions. Patients should promptly seek medical attention at a hospital and follow medical advice to improve symptoms through general measures, medications, or other treatments. During treatment, patients should pay attention to their diet, focusing on light, nutritious, and easily digestible foods such as egg custard, millet porridge, and milk.

View Full Answer

What are the causes of hiccups?

Hiccups usually refer to singultus. In general, possible causes of singultus include improper diet, anxiety, functional gastrointestinal disorders, gastroenteritis, and reflux esophagitis. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, it is important to develop healthy habits, avoid strenuous exercise, and keep the abdomen warm.

View Full Answer

What causes hiccups?

Hiccups usually refer to singultus, which may be caused by improper diet, swallowing air, functional gastrointestinal disorders, gastritis, cholecystitis, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Maintain regular eating habits, eat smaller meals more frequently, ensure a balanced diet, and avoid overeating. Pay attention to balancing work and rest, keep a pleasant mood, which is beneficial for recovery.