[The diverse etiology of hiccups]

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.