title: [The diverse etiology of hiccups].
abstract: Hiccup is a sudden contraction of the inspiratory muscles, followed by an abrupt closure of the glottis, thus producing a characteristic sound. Hiccups serve no known physiologic function. Mostly, it is a benign symptom which terminates without treatment. Persistent and intractable hiccups may indicate an organic disorder, thereby requiring evaluation based on history, physical examination, and selected laboratory tests. The treatment is based on the organic disorder, if it is found. The combination therapy with cisapride, omeprazole and baclofen is the most effective empiric treatment. We describe a number of case reports of patients with hiccups due to digitalis intoxication, ischemia of the inferior wall of the heart, peptic disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Marai
authors.forename: Yair
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Levi
mesh_terms: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001418:Baclofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020117:Cisapride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006606:Hiccup / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D001418:Baclofen; D009853:Omeprazole; D020117:Cisapride