Constant hiccups may arise from consuming too many carbonated beverages or foods that increase gas production. They can also signal underlying health conditions such as acid reflux, pneumonia, or certain neurological disorders.
Most of the time, hiccups are harmless and resolve within a few minutes on their own or with simple tricks like holding your breath or sipping cold water. However, constant hiccups are defined by having multiple episodes throughout the day that persist for several days in a row.
If your hiccups become constant or last longer than 48 hours, it is recommended to consult a primary care physician for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Persistent hiccups can sometimes indicate significant issues affecting the nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, or respiratory system.
Main causes
The primary causes of constant hiccups include:
1. Excessive consumption of carbonated drinks
Drinking too many fizzy beverages, such as soda, sparkling water, or beer, increases the amount of carbon dioxide in your stomach, causing it to expand.
This stomach distension can irritate the phrenic and vagus nerves that control the diaphragm, triggering the onset of constant hiccups.
What to do: Try to avoid drinking carbonated beverages frequently or in large amounts, opting instead for non-fizzy drinks like plain water, natural juices, or tea.
To help stop the hiccups, you can also try holding your breath, blowing out air, or drinking cold water.
2. Foods that increase gas production
Eating large amounts of gas-producing foods, such as cabbage, broccoli, beans, peas, and brown rice, can also distend the stomach and stimulate the phrenic nerve, leading to persistent hiccups.
Additionally, eating foods that are very spicy or heavily seasoned can irritate the digestive system and trigger constant hiccups.
What to do: Adopting a balanced diet and limiting spicy foods or those that cause gas can help reduce the frequency of hiccup episodes. Learn more about which foods cause cause and what to eat instead.
3. Swallowing too much air
Habits like eating too fast, chewing gum often, or talking while eating can cause you to swallow excess air, which distends the stomach and leads to constant hiccups.
Swallowing too much air, medically known as aerophagia, can also cause other symptoms like bloating, stomach heaviness, frequent burping, or excessive intestinal gas.
What to do: Eat slowly, skip the gum, and avoid talking with your mouth full to prevent swallowing excess air and reduce hiccup attacks.
4. Gastrointestinal problems
Constant hiccups can be a symptom of gastrointestinal issues like reflux esophagitis or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This irritation can trigger spasms or contractions in the diaphragm, resulting in hiccups.
You may also experience other symptoms of reflux, such as heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest or throat that worsens after eating, or regurgitation of food.
What to do: Consult a gastroenterologist to diagnose the specific issue and start treatment, which may involve medications like omeprazole or esomeprazole.
It is also recommended to adjust your diet and lifestyle, such as waiting a few hours after eating before lying down.
5. Respiratory system changes
Constant hiccups can sometimes stem from respiratory system changes, such as infections like pneumonia or rapid breathing after intense exercise, which lowers carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood.
What to do: You can try techniques that stimulate the vagus nerve and raise blood CO2 levels, such as blowing out air, drinking cold water, holding your breath for a few seconds, or breathing into a paper bag.
If the hiccups do not stop with these measures, seek medical attention to identify the underlying cause and begin appropriate treatment.
6. Neurological diseases
Certain neurological conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, meningitis, encephalitis, or stroke, can affect the areas of the brain that control the diaphragm, leading to spasms and constant hiccups.
Additionally, chronic conditions that damage nerves, such as multiple sclerosis or uncontrolled diabetes, can disrupt the control of respiratory muscles and cause persistent hiccups.
What to do: Treatment should focus on managing the underlying condition under the guidance of a neurologist, rheumatologist, or endocrinologist.
In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve constant hiccups, such as chlorpromazine.
For severe cases that do not respond to medication, a doctor may perform anesthetic injections into the phrenic nerve to provide relief.
7. Surgery in the abdominal region
Constant hiccups can occur following surgeries in the chest or abdominal area, likely due to irritation or stimulation of the diaphragm during the procedure.
While the link between surgery and hiccups is well-known, the exact mechanism that triggers these spasms is not always fully understood.
What to do: Consult the surgeon who performed the procedure; they may prescribe medications to relieve the hiccups, such as baclofen, chlorpromazine, or metoclopramide.
Constant hiccups in babies
Hiccups are very common in babies because their rib muscles and diaphragm are still developing, and their stomachs often fill with air during feeding.
Usually, these hiccups are not a cause for concern. You can help them pass faster by keeping the baby in an upright position or burping them.
However, if the hiccups last longer than 24 hours or interfere with feeding or sleeping, it is important to see a pediatrician to rule out more serious issues like infections or inflammation.