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Hi, this is Michael, my son 22 has awfully long hiccup episodes,, Can you tell me the cause and some real life solutions...........Lost of wives tales about this sort of problem and would really like to help him.........................

Submitted: 372 days and 14 hours ago.

Category: Health

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

Age: 22; Male, California

Already Tried:
all of the usual........holding breath, being scared........eating icecream, nothing seems to help

Accepted Answer

Hello,

Following are the usual causes;

1) Diaphragmatic irritation; hiatus hernia is a common disorder

2) Vagus nerve stimulation

3) infection in pharynx, inflammation in esophagus, swallowing difficulty

4) Metabolic disorders; sodium and potassium changes in the body

Following measures can be helpful

1) Sipping iced water

2) Biting a lemon

3) Forcible traction on tongue

4) Valsalva maneuver; read about it;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valsalva_maneuver

Read about the details of hiccups in this authentic resource;

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiccups/DS00975

Please feel free for your follow up questions.

Dr. Arun

Accepts:
Expert:	Dr. Arun Phophalia
Pos. Feedback:	99.6 %
Answered:	11/15/2008

Doctor (MD)

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), Post-doctoral Fellowship in Sports Medicine

372 days and 14 hours ago.

Reply

Thank you for your detailed response, I will investigate the links................Another "problem" is he is a drinker,,,,,,,,,,,daily..........Is this directly relative to these things. Also he recently vomited, has eaten Top Ramen and when it was expelled, the hiccup episode stopped

Posted by Dr. Arun Phophalia 372 days and 14 hours ago.

Answer

Hello,

People who drink have esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Both of them can cause hiccups. Investigating on line of that would help as treatment can be instituted.

It is pleasure assisting you.

Dr. Arun

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