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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffIf your doctor suspects an underlying medical condition may be causing your hiccups, he or she may recommend one or more of the following tests:
Laboratory tests
Samples of your blood may be checked for signs of:
- Infection
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
Imaging tests
These types of tests may be able to detect anatomical abnormalities that may be affecting the vagus nerve, phrenic nerve or diaphragm. Imaging tests may include:
- Chest X-ray
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Endoscopic tests
These procedures utilize a thin, flexible tube containing a tiny camera, which is passed down your throat to check for problems in your esophagus or windpipe.
- Pollack MJ. Hiccups. In: Rakel RE, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2008. 60th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/126185871-3/816916385/1621/10.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4435-2..50006-6_54. Accessed March 16, 2009.
- Fishman MB. Overview of hiccups. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 17, 2009.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 18, 2007.
- Noble J. Hiccup. In: Noble J, et al. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2001. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/126410452-3/817465929/959/142.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-00828-3..50028-5_565. Accessed March 17, 2009.
- Syndromes of inappropriate respiratory muscle contraction. In: Mason RJ, et al. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/126411821-5/817480731/1288/752.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-0327-0..50085-9--cesec97_4678. Accessed March 17, 2009.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed March 17, 2009.
- Dahlin C. Management of symptoms other than pain. Anesthesiology Clinics of North America. 2006;24:39.
- Schachter SC, et al. Vagus nerve stimulation therapy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 17, 2009.
