Hiccups (or hiccoughs) occur when your diaphragm suddenly and involuntarily contracts (squeezes). The diaphragm is the muscle that sits underneath your ribcage and helps to control your breathing. Hiccups are a reflex action, which means that you don't have any control over them. They don't seem to have a useful purpose.
Most episodes of hiccups pass quickly and usually only last for a few minutes. You might hiccup anywhere between four and 60 times a minute. Short episodes of hiccups will normally stop on their own, and you should not require any specific treatment.
Persistent and intractable hiccups
In rare cases, hiccups can last for a long time. Hiccups that last for more than 48 hours can be categorised into two types:
- Persistent or protracted hiccups: these last for more than 48 hours, but less than one month.
- Intractable hiccups: these last longer than one month.
Men and women are equally affected by hiccups. Persistent and intractable hiccups are more common in men. Persistent and intractable hiccups can be very tiring and upsetting, and can make eating and drinking difficult. It's important to remember that this type of hiccupping is rare and usually indicates an underlying problem or condition.
