Coping physically with cancer
We all have hiccups from time to time. We don’t know the exact cause of hiccups but possible causes include eating and drinking too quickly, over eating, and alcohol.
People with cancer can get them for a number of reasons but it is not a common problem.
Hiccups usually go away on their own but there are some things you can try. If hiccups carry on for a couple of days they can be difficult to cope with. Tell your doctor as you might need treatment.
We all have hiccups from time to time. We don’t know the exact cause of hiccups but possible causes include eating and drinking too quickly, over eating, and alcohol.
People with cancer can get them for a number of reasons but it is not a common problem.
Hiccups usually go away on their own but there are some things you can try. If hiccups carry on for a couple of days they can be difficult to cope with. Tell your doctor as you might need treatment.
People with cancer can get hiccups for lots of reasons. It is not a common problem but hiccups can be tiring and difficult to cope with.
Hiccups can happen when you get a spasm in your diaphragm between normal breaths. You can’t control the spasm and hiccups usually go away on their own. But when hiccups are a symptom of cancer, or a side effect of cancer treatment, they can go on for longer. This makes them tiring and difficult to cope with.
Your diaphragm is the dome shaped muscle under your ribcage. It helps to pull air into your lungs by pulling downwards as you breathe in. When you breathe out, your diaphragm pushes upwards.
But when you hiccup, 2 things happen:
your diaphragm contracts and pulls down between your normal breaths, sucking air in
immediately after this, the top of the windpipe (trachea) closes briefly, to stop more air getting in - this makes the 'hic' sound.
Hiccups normally go away on their own. But if your hiccups are troublesome and last more than a few days, it is important you talk to the team caring for you about them. They will want to find out if there is reason for them so that they can try to help you.
Having hiccups for a few days or more can be difficult to cope with. They can make you feel anxious and depressed. They can affect your:
ability to eat and drink
concentration and sleep
ability to talk
Healthcare professionals divide hiccups into groups depending on how long you have them. You might have:
acute hiccups which can last from a few minutes to a few hours
persistent hiccups which usually last more than 48 hours
intractable hiccups which usually last more than one month
Last reviewed: 09 May 2023
Next review due: 05 May 2026
Find out about managing cancer symptoms and possible side effects from cancer treatment. There is information about pain, sickness, diet problems and much more.
Coping with cancer can be difficult. There is help and support available. Find out about the emotional, physical and practical effects of cancer and how to manage them.
Search for the cancer type you want to find out about. Each section has detailed information about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, research and coping with cancer.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
What to ask your doctor about clinical trials.
Meet and chat to other cancer people affected by cancer.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
Image by credit test.
