What triggers hiccups? Common causes and effective remedies

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

Hiccups, medically known as singultus, occur when a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm muscle forces a quick intake of air, followed by an abrupt closure of the vocal cords that produces the characteristic 'hic' sound. Understanding what triggers hiccups is key to preventing these annoying and sometimes embarrassing episodes.

Quick Summary

Hiccups are caused by an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm, often triggered by irritating the nerves controlling this muscle, such as the vagus and phrenic nerves. Common triggers include overeating, drinking carbonated beverages, sudden temperature changes, and emotional stress. While usually harmless and temporary, persistent hiccups may indicate an underlying medical condition.

Key Points

Diaphragm Spasms: Hiccups are caused by involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, a muscle at the base of the lungs, followed by the vocal cords closing abruptly.
Nerve Irritation: The reflex is triggered by irritation of the vagus or phrenic nerves, which control the diaphragm's movement.
Common Lifestyle Triggers: Everyday triggers include eating or drinking too quickly, consuming carbonated or alcoholic beverages, emotional stress, and sudden temperature changes.
Serious Medical Conditions: Persistent hiccups lasting over 48 hours can be a symptom of an underlying condition affecting the central nervous system, metabolism, or causing nerve damage.
Effective Home Remedies: Simple techniques like holding your breath, sipping cold water, or swallowing a teaspoon of sugar can help interrupt the hiccup reflex.
When to See a Doctor: Medical consultation is advised for hiccups that last more than two days or are accompanied by other symptoms.

The Science Behind the 'Hic'

Before exploring the triggers, it's helpful to understand the mechanics of a hiccup. The diaphragm is a large, dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs that plays a vital role in breathing. The 'hic' sound is produced when the diaphragm contracts spasmodically, causing a person to involuntarily inhale air, which is then abruptly stopped by the rapid closing of the glottis (the opening between the vocal cords). This involuntary reflex is often initiated by irritation or stimulation of the phrenic or vagus nerves, which are part of the reflex arc controlling diaphragm movement.

Common Everyday Triggers

For most people, hiccups are temporary and caused by simple, daily activities that irritate the diaphragm or the nerves controlling it. These short-term hiccups usually resolve on their own within a few minutes or hours.

Dietary and Digestive Irritants

Eating and drinking too quickly: Gulping down food or beverages can lead to swallowing excess air, which distends the stomach and presses against the diaphragm, triggering a spasm.
Carbonated beverages and alcohol: These drinks introduce air and gas into the stomach, causing it to bloat and irritate the diaphragm. Excessive alcohol can also irritate the vagus nerve directly.
Overeating or large meals: A full stomach pushes up on the diaphragm, potentially leading to spasms.
Spicy foods: The chemical compounds in spicy food can irritate the esophagus, which is closely linked to the nerves that supply the diaphragm.
Sudden temperature changes: The abrupt shift in temperature from very hot food or drink to very cold, or vice versa, can startle the nerves.

Emotional and Psychological Triggers

Stress and anxiety: The brain-gut connection is strong, and heightened emotions can disrupt nerve signals, leading to hiccups.
Sudden excitement or surprise: A sudden shock or burst of excitement can cause a sharp intake of breath, which irritates the diaphragm.

Aerophagia (Swallowing Air)

Chewing gum or smoking: Both activities can lead to swallowing small amounts of air, which can accumulate and cause bloating.
Excessive laughter or coughing: These actions can lead to swallowing air or sudden, forceful diaphragm movements that induce hiccups.

When Hiccups Become Persistent or Intractable

While most hiccups are a temporary nuisance, persistent hiccups (lasting more than 48 hours) or intractable hiccups (lasting more than a month) can signal a more serious underlying issue. These cases require medical attention, as they often involve more than just a temporary irritation.

Nerve Damage or Irritation

Long-term irritation or damage to the vagus or phrenic nerves can lead to chronic hiccups. Conditions that cause this irritation include:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Throat irritation or laryngitis
A tumor or cyst in the neck, chest, or abdomen
Swollen lymph nodes in the chest

Central Nervous System Disorders

Damage to the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, can interfere with the hiccup reflex arc. This can be caused by:

Stroke
Tumors
Brain injury
Meningitis or encephalitis
Multiple sclerosis

Metabolic and Systemic Issues

Certain metabolic disorders and medical conditions can also lead to chronic hiccups:

Diabetes
Kidney disease or failure
Electrolyte imbalance
Certain surgical procedures, especially abdominal surgery

Effective Home Remedies and Medical Interventions

For short-term hiccups, several folk remedies and techniques can be tried to help stop the spasms. These methods often work by either stimulating the vagus or phrenic nerves to 'reset' the reflex, or by increasing the carbon dioxide level in the blood to suppress the reflex.

Common Self-Help Techniques

Holding your breath: This simple technique increases the carbon dioxide in your lungs.
Breathing into a paper bag: Gently breathing into a bag increases the level of carbon dioxide you re-inhale, which can help stop the hiccups.
Sipping ice-cold water: The act of swallowing and the sudden cold temperature can stimulate the vagus nerve.
Swallowing a teaspoon of granulated sugar: The texture and action of swallowing can irritate the nerves in the mouth and esophagus.
The Valsalva maneuver: This involves pinching your nose, closing your mouth, and trying to exhale forcefully, which can increase pressure in the chest and stimulate the vagus nerve.
Hugging your knees to your chest and leaning forward: This position compresses the diaphragm, which can help interrupt the spasms.
Gargling with ice water: This is another method to stimulate the nerves in the throat.

Hiccups: Short-Term vs. Persistent


Feature	Short-Term Hiccups	Persistent/Intractable Hiccups
Duration	Last less than 48 hours	Last more than 48 hours (persistent) or a month (intractable)
Cause	Temporary irritations like overeating, carbonated drinks, excitement, or temperature changes	Often a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as nerve damage, CNS disorders, or metabolic issues
Associated Symptoms	Rarely accompanied by other symptoms	May be accompanied by other symptoms related to the underlying cause, such as pain, numbness, or weight loss
Treatment	Home remedies are usually effective	Requires medical diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause
Medical Intervention	Not typically needed	May involve medication (e.g., chlorpromazine, baclofen), nerve block, or surgery in rare cases

Seeking Medical Advice

While most hiccups are benign, it is important to contact a doctor if they last longer than 48 hours, as they may be a sign of a more serious condition. A healthcare provider will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the cause. Treatments for persistent hiccups focus on addressing the underlying condition and may include prescription medications or, in rare and extreme cases, nerve block or surgery. For further information on the role of the vagus nerve in bodily functions, you can explore the insights from the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research.

Conclusion

Hiccups are a common and usually harmless occurrence, a physical quirk most people will experience multiple times in their life. While simple lifestyle factors are often the culprit, the complex neurological pathways involved mean that the triggers can be varied and, in some cases, a sign of a more significant health issue. By understanding both the simple and more complex reasons behind the 'hic', individuals can better manage and prevent these episodes and know when to seek professional help.

Frequently Asked Questions

While there is no guaranteed cure, many people find relief by either holding their breath for 10-15 seconds or drinking a glass of ice-cold water. Other methods include swallowing a teaspoon of sugar or pulling your knees to your chest and leaning forward.

Yes, stress and anxiety can be a trigger for hiccups. The vagus nerve, which influences the hiccup reflex, is also connected to your 'fight or flight' and 'rest and digest' systems, so strong emotional responses can cause irritation.

Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours are considered persistent and can indicate a more serious underlying issue. These are often caused by damage or irritation to the nerves that control the diaphragm, central nervous system disorders, or metabolic problems.

Yes, many foods and drinks can act as triggers. Common culprits include eating spicy foods, drinking carbonated beverages or excessive alcohol, consuming very hot or very cold items, and simply overeating.

Yes, it is very common for babies to get hiccups frequently, especially during or after feeding. This is often due to them swallowing air, and is typically a normal part of their development.

If your hiccups last for more than 48 hours, become a regular occurrence, or disrupt your sleep and eating, you should see a doctor. They can determine if there's a more serious medical issue at play.

The medical term for hiccups is 'singultus'. The term describes the physiological process of the diaphragm's involuntary contractions followed by the quick closing of the vocal cords.