Cure Hiccups by Pulling on the Tongue

There are many different ways to treat hiccups (otherwise known as singultus). Some of the more bizarre ways of treating hiccups include rectal massage and tongue pulling. Tongue pulling treatment is most commonly attributed to Sir William Osler (1849-1919). However, origins of tongue pulling can be found in much earlier French references including Jean Laborde (1830-1903), Jean Viaud (1862-1946), and Raphaël Lépine (1840-1919). It is hypothesized to work by stimulating the vagus nerve…

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Anal Massage Cures Hiccups?

So... I came across a few references addressing treatment of hiccups (otherwise known as singultus), but perhaps the most bizarre treatment for hiccups I saw was rectal massage. Digital rectal massage (see references below) has apparently been reported in the literature to help stop hiccups, mainly by disrupting the vagal afferent limb of the hiccup reflex arc. Name says it all. Essentially, you stick a finger up the bungholio and massage the area firmly until the hiccups stop. It appar…

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Hiccups and Laryngospasm

So one day I was having some bad hiccups... you know, the obnoxious kind complete with strangled noise and chest jerks. However, this experience unlike the numerous prior episodes of hiccups triggered an intellectual brainstorm about breathing and stridor in general. FACT: Hiccups (aka singultus) are due to brief, intermittent, and involuntary diaphragm contractions against a closed glottis. For the layperson, this means during a hiccup: Your body takes a quick breath inwards (inhalati…

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Treatment for Hiccups Based on Science

So... I came across a few references addressing treatment of hiccups (otherwise known as singultus) based on science rather than heresay. Here are a few methods than can be done at home without the need for medications or procedures. It is felt that hiccups may be secondary to irritation of the phrenic nerve (which innervates the diaphragm). As such, scientific treatment of hiccups have relied on increasing PaCO2 (breath holding, breathing into a paper bag), therapy using diaphragm relaxati…

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