Hiccups are a common and usually benign occurrence that most of us experience from time to time. Although they are a bit of a nuisance, most often it's nothing more than a harmless experience that serves to amuse those around us. Hiccups are generally caused when our diaphragm, the muscle responsible for breathing, gets irritated or overstimulated. However, it may be shocking for you to know, that persistent hiccups can also be a sign of cancer. To understand this strange link, the team of OnlyMyHealth reached out to Dr Lakhan Kashyap, Consultant, Medical Oncology, Manipal Hospitals, Pune.
The Link Between Hiccups And Cancer
“Hiccups are caused as a consequence of an irritated phrenic nerve which controls your diaphragm. They are not a common presentation of cancer. But yes there are cases where you do see hiccups as a symptom of some abdominal cancer. But mostly, hiccups due to cancer would arise much later, when common manifestations of cancer are already quite visible,” informed Dr Kashyap.
According to Cancer Research UK, some of the reasons that can cause you to experience incessant hiccups if you have cancer are:
- your stomach stops working and becomes extended and bloated
- you have an infection affecting your chest or food pipe (oesophagus)
- you are having chemotherapy, steroids or an opioid painkiller such as morphine
- the cancer is pressing on your diaphragm
- you have symptoms because of a brain tumour
- your kidneys are not working normally and your blood chemistry changes
- you have high blood calcium levels (hypercalcaemia)
Making a list of the most common cancers that can present hiccups as one of its symptoms, Dr Kashyap shared, “These hiccups could also be a symptom of stomach or oesophageal cancer. They may be a consequence of a lymph nodal mass in the thoracic cavity pressing against the phrenic nerve. Other cancers that may cause hiccups are liver cancer, colon cancer, cancer in the large intestine, and other abdominal cancers.”
What To Do if You Have Persistent Hiccups?
If you experience hiccups that persist beyond 48 hours, it's essential to take the following steps:
- Consult a Healthcare Professional: Seek medical attention promptly. Let your doctor conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of your persistent hiccups and recommend appropriate tests or referrals.
- Share Your Medical History: Provide your doctor with a detailed medical history, including any underlying health conditions or recent changes in your health. If there is any place in your life where you must practice absolute honesty, it's when consulting a doctor.
- Explore Other Potential Causes: Every small health glitch need not be a sign of something horrifying. Persistent hiccups can be due to various factors, such as gastrointestinal issues, neurological conditions, or medication side effects. Your healthcare provider will explore these possibilities as well.
Not all cases of persistent hiccups are indicative of cancer. Dr Kashyap advised that if your hiccups last for more than 48 hours without relief, it's essential to consider potential underlying causes. While cancer is relatively rare as a cause of persistent hiccups, it's one of the possibilities that should be explored, especially if other common triggers have been ruled out.
It's essential to take any persistent hiccups seriously and consult with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation. Early detection and diagnosis of potential health issues, including cancer, can lead to more effective treatment and better outcomes. Keep in mind that this advisory is in no way a compensation for credible medical diagnosis, and is only intended for general awareness.
