Singultus: (Hiccups)

Presentation

Recurring, unpredictable, clonic contractions of the diaphragm that produce sharp inhalations are known as singultus or more commonly as hiccups. Hiccups are usually precipitated by some combination of laughing, talking, eating, and drinking but may also occur spontaneously. Most cases resolve spontaneously, and patients do not come to a physician’s office unless hiccups are prolonged or severe. A bout of hiccups is any episode lasting more than a few minutes. If hiccups last longer than 48 hours, they are considered persistent or protracted. Hiccups lasting longer than 1 month are called intractable.