From standing on your head and pressing on your eyeballs to breathing through a paper bag and chewing on a lemon, people will do just about anything to get rid of hiccups.
The sudden, involuntary sound seems to come out of nowhere, but in reality, hiccups are usually triggered when something irritates your diaphragm, the muscle just below your lungs that’s essential for breathing. When it spasms unexpectedly, your vocal cords snap shut, producing that sound we all know too well.
Though most hiccups are harmless and fade away quickly, some can be painful or persistent. To figure out why, experts suggest paying attention to other symptoms that might accompany those odd little squeaks.
A burning problem
Persistent hiccups paired with trouble swallowing or a burning sensation in your chest could be a sign of esophageal irritation, Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, an internal medicine specialist, told PopSugar.
Your esophagus — the muscular tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach — can become irritated by a range of things, including vomiting, certain medications, and even sharp or hard foods like chips, popcorn or nuts.
Conditions like esophagitis, which causes inflammation in the esophagus, can also trigger painful hiccups. Since the esophagus runs through the diaphragm on its way to the stomach, any irritation can set off spasms, resulting in those pesky hiccups, according to Ungerleider.
“A gentle massage of the diaphragm along the borders of the ribs is a good way to try and resolve hiccups,” Vincent Pedre, a functional medicine specialist, told Well and Good. If your symptoms last longer than a few days, it’s time to see a doctor.
Sour taste, fiery feel
If your hiccups won’t quit, it might be a sign of something more chronic: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, also known as GERD.
The digestive condition occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, irritating the diaphragm and causing involuntary muscle spasms. GERD often causes a burning sensation in the chest while lying down or eating, along with a sour taste in the mouth.
Some people are more prone to experience hiccups than others.
“The reasons for this are unclear, but it may be due to anatomical differences such as the location of one’s stomach in relation to the diaphragm as that could make stomach irritation more likely to trigger hiccups,” Dr. Jason Nagata, a pediatrician, told USA Today.
The good news is that lifestyle changes like a healthier diet or losing weight could alleviate GERD symptoms. Over-the-counter antacids can also provide relief, but if the symptoms persist, it’s worth checking in with your doctor.
Too much of a good thing
Exercise is usually a healthy habit, but strenuous activity can lead to increased and rapid contractions of the diaphragm, causing painful hiccups.
For high-level athletes, the risk is even higher. Stronger diaphragms may spasm more intensely, leading to even more painful bouts of hiccups, Dr. Zachary Bittinger, a family medicine physician, told PopSugar.
Moderate to heavy exercise could also worsen GERD symptoms like acid reflux.
“Anytime you do anything strenuous, your stomach can tighten up, making contents flow upward,” Eitan Rubinstein, a gastroenterologist, told SELF. “If you’re breathing hard enough, your lungs are expanding and you can actually draw reflux material into your esophagus.”
Luckily, a little rest and relaxation can help ease the strain and calm those stubborn spasms.
A real pain in the chest
If you’ve recently injured your chest or ribs, your hiccups could be more painful due to irritation in the affected area. This is especially true if you’re dealing with a persistent cough, according to Ungerleider.
In rare instances, frequent hiccups could be a sign of something dangerous. For example, Ungerleider said pneumonia or other lung infections like bronchitis or cystic fibrosis can inflame the tissues around the diaphragm and lungs, leading to painful hiccups.
For coughs that lingers for more than a few days, or if you experience difficulty breathing or chest pain that worsens with activity, Ungerleider recommends seeing a doctor.
