Can hiccups be life threatening?

People don't usually die from hiccups. However, prolonged hiccups could be a sign that you have an underlying condition that's causing the hiccups. Some conditions that cause intractable hiccups, which last for more than a month, could be life-threatening if left untreated, such as cancer, stroke, and pneumonia.
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Can hiccups lead to death?

While hiccups themselves are unlikely to be fatal, long lasting hiccups could be your body's way of telling you about an underlying health condition that needs treatment. There are many conditions that can cause persistent or intractable hiccups. See your doctor if you have hiccups that last longer than 2 days.
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What are the dangers of hiccups?

Most cases resolve without treatment, but prolonged hiccups can lead to complications such as insomnia and depression. If hiccups last for longer than 48 hours, the person should contact a doctor, who may prescribe muscle relaxants.
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Are hiccups ever serious?

Hiccups is rarely a medical emergency. If hiccups last for more than 3 hours, occur with severe abdominal pain, fever, shortness of breath, vomiting, spitting up blood, or feeling as if the throat is going to close up, the person should seek medical attention.
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Is hiccups related to heart disease?

Hiccups are almost never a sign of a heart attack, cancer or any other medical problem. According to the Mayo Clinic, hiccups usually come from eating too much, drinking carbonated beverages or too much alcohol, excitement or emotional stress.
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Are hiccups dangerous for adults!? - Dr. Anita Krishnan



Why can't I stop hiccuping?

A cause of long-term hiccups is damage to or irritation of the vagus nerves or phrenic nerves, which serve the diaphragm muscle. Factors that may cause damage or irritation to these nerves include: A hair or something else in your ear touching your eardrum. A tumor, cyst or goiter in your neck.
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How long should hiccups last?

In general, hiccups only last about an hour or two at most. But there have been cases where the hiccups have gone on for much longer. If hiccups persist for more than 48 hours or if they begin to interfere with eating, sleeping, or breathing, see your doctor immediately.
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How can you cure hiccups?

How do I treat hiccups?
  1. Drinking water quickly.
  2. Swallowing granulated sugar, dry pieces of bread, or crushed ice.
  3. Gently pulling on your tongue.
  4. Gagging (sticking a finger down your throat).
  5. Gently rubbing your eyeballs.
  6. Gargling water.
  7. Holding your breath.
  8. Breathing into a paper bag (do not use a plastic bag).
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What is the medical treatment for hiccups?

Most cases of hiccups go away on their own without medical treatment. If an underlying medical condition is causing your hiccups, treatment of that illness may eliminate the hiccups.
...
Drugs that may be used to treat long-term hiccups include:
  1. Baclofen.
  2. Chlorpromazine.
  3. Metoclopramide.
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Is hiccups common before death?

People don't usually die from hiccups. However, prolonged hiccups could be a sign that you have an underlying condition that's causing the hiccups. Some conditions that cause intractable hiccups, which last for more than a month, could be life-threatening if left untreated, such as cancer, stroke, and pneumonia.
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What happens if you have hiccups for too long?

Chronic hiccups can last for years in some people and are usually a sign of a medical issue. They can also cause health issues themselves. You may experience exhaustion when they keep you awake most nights. Chronic hiccups can also lead to severe weight loss because they can affect your appetite or desire to eat.
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Are hiccups caused by lack of oxygen?

When your diaphragm contracts, your lungs take in oxygen. When your diaphragm relaxes, your lungs release carbon dioxide. The diaphragm contracting out of rhythm is what causes hiccups. Each spasm of the diaphragm makes the larynx (voice box) and vocal cords close suddenly.
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What is the longest case of hiccups?

An American man named Charles Osborne was weighing a pig in 1922 and started hiccupping. He was still hiccupping 68 years later in 1990, after about 430 million hiccups. Mr Osborne holds the Guinness World Record for the longest attack of hiccups.
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Are frequent hiccups a symptom of anything?

Some illnesses for which continuing hiccups may be a symptom include: pleurisy of the diaphragm, pneumonia, uremia, alcoholism, disorders of the stomach or esophagus, and bowel diseases. Hiccups may also be associated with pancreatitis, pregnancy, bladder irritation, liver cancer or hepatitis.
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Why does Sugar stop hiccups?

A 1971 study found that a teaspoon of sugar cured the hiccups for 19 out of 20 patients. The hypothesis for why it works has to do with how the sugar affects the vagus nerve, connecting your brain and stomach. The sugar irritates the back of the throat, and in turn, interrupts the spasms.
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What triggers a hiccup?

Some common causes include: Eating too much or too quickly. Feeling nervous or excited. Drinking carbonated beverages or too much alcohol.
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Can you hiccup while sleeping?

Do hiccups go away when you sleep? Hiccups can occur while you are sleeping and consequently disturb your sleep. If your hiccups are making it difficult for you to sleep, eat or drink, see your GP.
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How do you get rid of hiccups in 10 seconds?

How to get rid of hiccups
  1. Sip ice-cold water slowly or gargle with very cold water.
  2. Hold the breath for a short time, then breathe out. ...
  3. While swallowing, place gentle pressure on the nose.
  4. Place gentle pressure on the diaphragm.
  5. Bite on a lemon.
  6. Swallow some granulated sugar.
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Can hiccups hurt?

Common characteristics of hiccups

Sound: The "hic" sound happens because the spasms also cause your vocal cords to close suddenly with each spasm. Pain or discomfort: There may be some pain or discomfort with each spasm, especially if the hiccups have gone on for an hour or more.
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What part of the brain controls hiccups?

The neuroanatomical centre for hiccups is not well known, although the central connection is presumed to be a part of the brain stem which probably interacts with its respiratory centres, phrenic nerve nuclei, medullary reticular formation, and hypothalamus.
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How long is the world's longest kiss?

A Thai couple has sealed a new record for the longest kissing, after locking lips for 46 hours, 24 minutes.
  • A Thai couple has sealed a new record for the longest kissing, after locking lips for 46 hours, 24 minutes.
  • The Guinness World Records still have to verify the latest "kissathon" for it to become official.
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What's the world record of sleeping?

Hypnotist Peter Powers holds the record for the longest time asleep. He put himself to sleep for straight eight days (188 hours) under hypnosis.
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What are the benefits of hiccups?

With relaxation after the hiccup, the air can pass up the esophagus and out the mouth, leaving more room for milk. The presence of a burping reflex provides a significant survival advantage. Young mammals depend on milk consumption for their nutrition.
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Does an empty stomach cause hiccups?

A very full stomach can cause hiccups that go away on their own. A full stomach can be caused by things like eating too much food too quickly or swallowing too much air. Most hiccups go away on their own within a few minutes to a few hours and do not require any treatment.
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Does drinking water stop hiccups?

Over the years, hundreds of different techniques have been suggested to get rid of them – drinking water being one of the most common. The short answer – no, water is not a definitive cure for hiccups (in fact, there is no definitive scientific cure).
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