hiccup (redirected from hiccoughs)

hiccup /hic·cup/ (hik´up) sharp sound of inhalation with spasm of the glottis and diaphragm.

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hic·cup or hic·cough (hkp)

n.

A spasm of the diaphragm causing sudden inhalation interrupted by spasmodic closure of the glottis, producing a characteristic noise.

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hiccup, hiccough v.

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hiccup

[hik′əp]

a characteristic sound that is produced by the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, followed by rapid closure of the glottis. Hiccups have various causes, including indigestion, rapid eating, certain types of surgery, and epidemic encephalitis. They can also be caused by or associated with abdominal distension. Most episodes of hiccups do not persist longer than a few minutes, but recurrent and prolonged attacks sometimes occur. The condition is most often seen in men. Sedatives are used in extreme cases. Also spelled hiccough. Also called singultus.

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hiccup,

n an involuntary spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm that causes a beginning inspiration that is suddenly checked by closure of the glottis, thus producing a characteristic sound.

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hiccup, hiccough

spasmodic involuntary contraction of the diaphragm that results in uncontrolled breathing in of air; called also singultus. The peculiar noise of hiccups is produced by a beginning inspiration that is suddenly checked by closure of the glottis. Commonly seen in puppies. An unusual occurrence in horses affected by electrolyte imbalances, especially hypocalcemia. The clinical effect is hiccup with each cardiac cycle, often present on only one side of the diaphragm. See also synchronous diaphragmatic flutter.

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hiccup

Hiccough, singultation Clinical medicine An abrupt inspiratory muscle contraction, followed within 35 msec by glottic closure; the hiccup center is in the spinal cord between C3 and C5; an afferent impulse is carried by the vagus and phrenic nerves and thoracic sympathetic chain; the efferent impulse is carried by the phrenic nerve with branches to the glottis and accessory respiratory muscles Etiology Idiopathic, psychogenic, abdominal disease–gastric distension, GI hemorrhage, bowel obstruction, esophagospasm, or inflammation including hepatitis, peritonitis, gastritis, enteritis, appendicitis, pancreatitis, abrupt temperature change, alcohol, inferior wall MI, irritation of tympanic membrane, metabolic derangements–azotemia, hyponatremia, uremia, diaphragmatic irritants, diseases of chest wall, lung, and heart–mediastinitis, tumors, aortic aneurysms, subphrenic abcesses, pericarditis, foreign bodies, excess smoking, excitement or stress, toxins, drugs–general anesthesia, barbiturates, diazepam, α-methyldopa, tumors, pneumonia, herpes zoster, central and peripheral nervous system disease–encephalitis, tumors, meningitis, brainstem infarcts, phrenic nerve compression, cervical cord lesions; intractable hiccupping may result in inability to eat or sleep, arrhythmias or reflux esophagitis, or may be compatible with a normal life Management No therapy is consistently effective. Cf Burping, Flatulance, Sneezing.