Hiccup - Diagnosing hiccups
Hiccups that last for less than 48 hours and stop on their own do not require a diagnosis from your GP.
Visit your GP if you have had hiccups for longer than 48 hours. They will look at your medical history and may carry out a physical examination to try to establish the cause.
Physical examination
The aim of the physical examination is to try to find out what is causing your hiccups, such as identifying any underlying condition that may be contributing to the problem. Areas of your body your GP may want to examine include:
- head and neck (including your mouth)
- chest
- abdomen (tummy)
Tests
If your GP suspects your hiccups are due to another condition, they may refer you for tests such as:
- blood tests to rule out kidney and liver disease or diabetes
- a chest X-ray to rule out respiratory conditions
- an electrocardiogram (ECG) (a test that measures electrical activity in your heart) to check for heart-related conditions
- an endoscopy if your hiccups may be due to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
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