Hiccoughs (hiccups)

Question 1

Simple brief episodes (possible options):

Answer 1

Valsalva manoeuvre

rebreathing air in paper bag (as for hyperventilation)

breath holding

sucking ice/swallowing iced water

catheter inserted quickly in and out of nose or nasopharynx

pressure on the eyeballs

Question 2

Persistent (assuming exclusion of organic diseases):

Answer 2

chlorpromazine orally or IV or IM or

sodium valproate

Consider:

• acupuncture
• hypnosis or
• phrenic nerve block.