Why Do Hiccups Happen? Causes, Triggers and What Helps
Written from the public health sources listed below. This article has not yet been reviewed by a clinician. See our editorial policy.
Hiccups happen when the diaphragm, the muscle that helps you breathe, contracts suddenly and involuntarily. A split second later the vocal cords snap shut, and that abrupt stop to the incoming air makes the familiar “hic” sound.[1][2]
Often there is no obvious reason it started.[3] Common triggers include eating quickly, a large meal, fizzy drinks, alcohol, sudden temperature changes, and strong emotions.[1][4] Most episodes pass within minutes. Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours should be checked by a doctor.[5][6]
What Are Hiccups?
A hiccup is a reflex, which means your body does it automatically, without a decision from you. In a bout of hiccups the diaphragm contracts again and again, and each contraction ends with the vocal cords closing.[1] Doctors sometimes call this singultus, but most people just say hiccups.
Nearly everyone gets them. Babies hiccup often, and they can even hiccup before birth.[4] Why humans have this reflex at all is not settled, so you will see competing theories online. What matters for everyday life is that ordinary hiccups are usually harmless and short-lived.[1]
What Happens Inside Your Body During a Hiccup?
Think of a hiccup as a quick chain of events:
- Something irritates the pathway. The nerves that serve the diaphragm and the breathing system get stimulated, for example by a very full stomach or a gulp of air.[7][2]
- The diaphragm spasms. It tightens suddenly and pulls air in much faster than a normal breath.[2]
- The vocal cords close. They snap shut and block the incoming air.[1]
- The sound. That sudden closure is what you hear as “hic”.
The animation below shows this in slow motion (a real hiccup takes a fraction of a second). Use the slider to step through it, and turn on captions if you like.
Then the vocal cords briefly snap shut, cutting off the incoming air.
This is a simplified teaching diagram, not an exact anatomical drawing. See what the diaphragm is and does for more.
What Causes Hiccups?
Short bouts of hiccups are often linked to everyday things:
- Eating too much, or eating too fast[1][6]
- Very spicy, very hot or very cold food and drink, or something cold straight after something hot[3][1]
- Fizzy drinks and alcohol[1][4]
- Swallowing air, for example while chewing gum or smoking[3][1]
- Stress, excitement or other strong emotions[3][4]
Sometimes there is no clear cause at all. That is normal, and it does not mean something is wrong.[3]
Hiccups that last for days are a different matter. They are uncommon, and can be linked to things such as certain medicines, recent surgery, or conditions that affect the nerves, the digestive system or the chest.[1][4] That is why long-lasting hiccups deserve a check-up. Read more in persistent hiccups: causes and when to get help.
Why Do I Get Hiccups After Eating?
Meals are the most common trigger. Three things tend to be involved:
- Speed. Eating quickly makes you swallow more air along with the food.[3]
- Size. A very full stomach can set off a bout.[2] A big meal late in the evening is a commonly listed trigger.[6]
- What is on the plate. Spicy food, hot-then-cold combinations and fizzy drinks are commonly mentioned.[3][1]
Triggers vary from person to person, so treat these as patterns to watch for rather than rules. Our page on hiccups after eating goes into practical changes you can try.
Can Water, Tea, Coffee or Carbonated Drinks Trigger Hiccups?
Carbonated drinks: yes, fizzy drinks are widely listed as a trigger.[1][4] They add gas to the stomach and make you swallow air.
Water: plain water is not a typical “cause”, but gulping it can pull in air, and a very cold drink straight after a hot one is a known trigger.[3] Ironically, small slow sips of water are also one of the most commonly suggested things to try. See hiccups after drinking water.
Tea and coffee: health sources list very hot drinks as a possible trigger,[4] but we did not find solid evidence that tea or coffee themselves cause hiccups. If a particular drink seems to set yours off, noticing that pattern is reasonable. Experiences differ, and a single cup does not prove cause and effect.
Why Do Babies Get Hiccups?
Hiccups are common and normal in babies, who often seem not to mind them at all.[4][8] They commonly appear when a baby feeds quickly or swallows air during a feed.[8][1]
If hiccups come with coughing or spitting up, the baby may have reflux, and it is worth talking to your pediatrician.[1] The same applies if hiccups go on for a long time or come with vomiting.[4] Please ask your pediatrician or child health nurse whenever you are worried. More in hiccups in babies.
How to Stop Hiccups
No method has been proven to stop hiccups in everyone.[1][7] Most episodes end on their own. If you want to try something, these are gentle, low-risk options:
- Pause eating and drinking.
- Sit comfortably and breathe slowly and normally.
- Take small sips of water, only if swallowing feels comfortable.
- If it feels safe and comfortable, briefly hold your breath. Never force it, and stop if you feel uneasy.[4][7]
- Give yourself something else to focus on, such as a short walk or a show.[6]
Home remedies do not work for everyone, and the evidence behind many popular ones is limited.[1][9] Step-by-step detail is in how to stop hiccups, and a closer look at each idea is in hiccup remedies: what the evidence says.
Which Hiccup Remedies Should You Avoid?
Some popular “cures” carry more risk than benefit. We do not recommend:
- Frightening or startling someone. There is no reliable evidence it works, and it can cause distress or a fall.[4]
- Anything that risks choking, such as swallowing dry sugar or food while hiccuping, or gulping drinks while lying back.
- Forcing yourself to vomit. It is unpleasant and potentially harmful.
- Breathing into a paper bag. Some sources list it,[7][1] but it interferes with normal breathing and is unproven, so we do not suggest it.
- Extreme or forceful maneuvers, such as pressing on the eyes or neck, or holding your breath until you feel faint.
- Taking medicine meant for others. Prescription medicines for stubborn hiccups are for a doctor to decide.[10]
How Long Do Hiccups Last?
Most bouts last a few minutes.[7] Doctors group longer episodes like this:[6][2]
| Type | How long | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term (acute) hiccups | Under 48 hours, usually minutes | Usually no treatment needed |
| Persistent hiccups | More than 48 hours, up to one month | See a doctor |
| Intractable hiccups | More than one month | See a doctor |
When Are Hiccups a Medical Concern?
See a doctor if your hiccups:
- last more than 48 hours[5][6]
- keep coming back and affect your daily life[5]
- make it hard to eat, sleep or breathe[6][4]
- come with abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss or shortness of breath[4]
Get urgent medical care for
Severe chest pain, significant difficulty breathing, fainting, or new neurological symptoms such as weakness, numbness, confusion, trouble speaking or a drooping face. Call your local emergency number if hiccups happen alongside signs of a stroke or a blood clot in the lung.[4][1]
If you think a medicine you take might be involved, talk to the person who prescribed it. Do not stop prescribed treatment on your own.[1]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do hiccups start suddenly?
The reflex can be set off by something as ordinary as a gulp of air, a full stomach or a sudden emotion, and often no trigger is found.[3]
How can I stop hiccups safely?
Pause eating and drinking, breathe slowly, and try small sips of water or a brief, comfortable breath-hold. None is guaranteed.[1] Skip risky tricks.
Why do hiccups happen after eating?
Eating fast, overeating, spicy or very hot or cold food, and fizzy drinks are common reasons.[1][3]
Can stress cause hiccups?
Stress and strong emotions are commonly listed as triggers.[3][4] See hiccups and stress.
Why do hiccups sometimes return?
The same trigger can set them off again, such as a full stomach, and sometimes they simply recur. If they keep coming back and affect your life, see a doctor.[5]
Are persistent hiccups serious?
Often they are not dangerous in themselves, but they can signal an underlying condition or medicine effect, so they need a check-up.[2][1]
When should I see a doctor?
After 48 hours, or sooner if hiccups interfere with eating, sleeping or breathing.[6][5] More answers: hiccups FAQ.
Key Takeaways
- Cause: a sudden involuntary diaphragm contraction followed by vocal cord closure.
- Common triggers: eating fast or a lot, fizzy drinks, alcohol, temperature changes, swallowed air, strong emotions. Sometimes there is no clear trigger.
- Gentle options: pause, breathe slowly, small sips of water, a brief comfortable breath-hold. No method works for everyone.
- Warning signs: over 48 hours, trouble eating, sleeping or breathing, or urgent symptoms such as severe chest pain.
Explore the Practical Hiccups Video Guide
Prefer to see it explained step by step? The DrHiccups Practical Relief Guide walks through the reflex, gentle techniques, what to avoid, and the warning signs.
Educational only. The guide does not replace medical advice or treatment.
Related reading
References
- Hiccups. Cleveland Clinic.
- Hiccups. Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan Health.
- Hiccups. NI Direct (content adapted from the NHS website).
- Hiccups. Healthdirect Australia.
- Hiccups. NHS 111 Wales (content adapted from NHS UK).
- Are hiccups dangerous? UPMC HealthBeat.
- Hiccups. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- My baby hiccups often, what can I do? Geneva University Hospitals (HUG).
- Moretto EN, Wee B, Wiffen PJ, et al. Interventions for treating persistent and intractable hiccups in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013;(1):CD008768.
- Hiccups, Chronic. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).
Medical disclaimer: this article is general information, not medical advice.