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Hiccups

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Hiccups, or hiccoughs, occur because of involuntary diaphragmatic contractions at times of glottic closure. The increased intrathoracic pressure forces air past the obstruction as the glottis then relaxes - this causes the characteristic sound.

If chronic then treatment measures include chlorpromazine (initially 25 mg bd and then 25 mg tds).


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