Why Do I Get Hiccups Every Day?

Babies hiccup while still in the womb.

Hiccups are relatively common, for all ages, even in unborn babies. Although hiccups are usually mild and short-lived, persistent or reoccurring hiccups can be more than just an annoyance, they also can be a symptom of something else.

Contraction

Hiccups happen when the diaphragm and the neck muscles contract suddenly. Immediately after this, your vocal cords close and make the sound that you hear when hiccuping, according to Scientific American.

Food

Eating too fast, or too much, can cause hiccuping every day as it causes the stomach to expand quickly, says WebMD.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol or fizzy drinks can cause hiccups because of the drink's carbonation and how fast the drink is gulped, causing air to be swallowed.

Reflux

If you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux regularly, also known as acid reflux, the changes in your stomach acid can cause hiccups every day. Ask your doctor for treatment, or take over-the-counter remedies, says patient.co.uk.

Persistent Hiccups

If your hiccups last longer than 48 hours, they are called persistent hiccups; if they last longer than a month, they are cause intractable hiccups. Although most hiccups are benign, persistent and intractable hiccups should be investigated by a doctor for more serious causes such as neurological lesions, kidney problems or central nervous system problems, says WebMD.

References

• Baby Center: Is it Normal for My Baby to be Hiccupping in the Womb?
• Scientific American: What Causes Hiccups?
• WebMD: Hiccups
• Patient: Hiccups (Hiccoughs)