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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

The characteristic sound of a hiccup is the only sign. Sometimes the only symptom is a slight tightening sensation in your chest, abdomen or throat that precedes the sound.

When to see a doctor
Make an appointment to see your doctor if your hiccups last more than 48 hours or if they are so severe that they cause problems with eating, sleeping or breathing.

Causes Definition
References
  1. Bilotta F, et al. Hiccups. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0986-5..C2009-0-38984-9--TOP&isbn=978-1-4377-0986-5&about=true&uniqId=236797353-5. Accessed April 13, 2011.
  2. Smith HS. Hiccups. In: Walsh D. Palliative Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05674-8..50167-5&isbn=978-0-323-05674-8&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05674-8..50167-5&uniqId=239212396-6. Accessed April 13, 2011.
  3. Lembo AJ. Overview of hiccups. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 13, 2011.
DS00975 June 3, 2011

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