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why doi keep getting hiccups

You keep getting hiccups because something is repeatedly irritating the nerve pathway between your brain and your diaphragm, which makes the diaphragm spasm and your vocal cords snap shut (that “hic” sound).

Quick Scoop: What hiccups actually are

Hiccups are sudden , involuntary contractions of your diaphragm, followed by your vocal cords closing.

This reflex can be triggered over and over, which is why they sometimes come in long, annoying runs.

Common everyday triggers (most likely)

For most people, frequent but short‑lived hiccups come from harmless, lifestyle‑type triggers:

  • Eating too fast or too much in one sitting (big or rushed meals).
  • Drinking fizzy drinks (soda, sparkling water) or swallowing a lot of air while drinking.
  • Drinking alcohol, especially in larger amounts or quickly.
  • Hot or spicy foods or indigestion that irritate your esophagus or stomach.
  • Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy, which makes you swallow extra air.
  • Sudden temperature change (very hot or very cold drinks, going from hot room to cold air).
  • Strong emotions like stress, anxiety, excitement, or being startled.
  • Smoking, which can make you swallow air and irritate your throat.

If your hiccups show up after big meals, soda, alcohol, or stressful moments, that pattern points strongly to these everyday triggers.

When “keep getting hiccups” can mean something more

If hiccups are very frequent, last a long time (more than 48 hours), or are severe enough to mess with sleep, eating, or breathing, doctors consider other causes.

Some medical or deeper reasons include:

  • Irritation or damage to the nerves that control the diaphragm (vagus or phrenic nerves), for example from:
    • Acid reflux (stomach acid backing up into the esophagus).
* Sore throat, laryngitis, or something touching the eardrum.
  • Conditions affecting the brain or nervous system, like stroke, meningitis, encephalitis, or brain injury (these are uncommon but serious).
  • Metabolic or organ issues such as:
    • Diabetes
    • Electrolyte imbalance (sodium, potassium, etc.)
    • Kidney disease or other organ disease.
  • Lung or chest problems like pneumonia, pleurisy, or certain surgeries.
  • Certain medications (steroids, some tranquilizers, some epilepsy meds, nicotine gum, and others) or heavy alcohol use.

These usually come with other symptoms (pain, fever, weight loss, bad reflux, neurological symptoms) rather than hiccups alone.

Simple things you can try

For ordinary, short‑term hiccups, classic tricks work by interrupting the reflex loop or changing your breathing pattern.

You can try:

  • Slow, controlled breathing: breathe in slowly for 5 seconds, out for 5 seconds, repeat a few minutes.
  • Sipping cold water slowly or swallowing small sips repeatedly.
  • Holding your breath briefly, then exhaling slowly.
  • Sitting upright and avoiding lying flat immediately after eating.
  • Avoiding big, rushed meals, fizzy drinks, and large amounts of alcohol for a while to see if episodes drop off.

If you notice, for example, “I hiccup every time I chug soda or eat super fast,” dialing those behaviors back often reduces how often they show up.

When to see a doctor

You should get checked in person if:

  • Your hiccups last longer than 48 hours.
  • They keep coming back very frequently and are disturbing sleep, eating, or breathing.
  • You also have other concerning symptoms like:
    • Chest pain or trouble breathing
    • Strong heartburn or painful swallowing
    • Fever, cough, or shortness of breath
    • Unexplained weight loss, severe headache, weakness, confusion, or difficulty speaking/moving.

In those cases, a clinician can look for underlying causes (like reflux, metabolic issues, or nerve problems) and sometimes use prescription medicines to stop persistent hiccups.

Bottom line: Occasional “I keep getting hiccups” usually ties back to how and what you eat or drink, plus stress, but long‑lasting or very frequent episodes deserve an in‑person medical check.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.