What Causes Hiccups?

Nerve Damage Or Irritation

For some individuals, hiccups are more a result of nerve damage or irritation than physical factors like overeating or drinking carbonated beverages. There are many conditions and causes related to nerve damage, and since the nerves responsible for hiccups are located somewhere in the spinal column, it makes sense they could be affected by just about any of them. Individuals who have brain lesions, tumors, intestinal conditions, or who have had surgeries or taken certain medications may all have irritation or damage to nerves that result in both short- and long-term hiccups. There could also be a hair or some other foreign object touching the eardrum or a tumor or cyst in the neck that could lead to nerve damage.

Learn more information about what causes hiccups now.

Central Nervous System Disorders

Because breathing and hiccups are considered unconscious activities, they can be affected by many different central nervous system disorders. Many conditions affect the system responsible for unconscious activities, including stroke, tumors, traumatic brain injury, and multiple sclerosis. The central nervous system is a complex structure doctors and medical professionals still don’t completely understand. What they do understand, however, is many different conditions related to this system can result in chronic or ongoing issues with hiccups. Sometimes there may be a remedy or solution to be found, but this is not always the case.

Uncover another possible cause of hiccups now.