Seeking Help: My Father’s Persistent Hiccups Have Lasted Five Days
Overview: My father, who is 75 years old, has been experiencing relentless hiccups for the past five days, and I am extremely anxious about it. Background: A year ago, he suffered a heart attack and subsequently underwent bypass surgery. He has diabetes but does not engage in drinking or smoking. Overall, he is in good health and weighs approximately 140 pounds. He visited the emergency department yesterday, where doctors performed X-rays on his heart, and the results showed no abnormalities. His blood tests also returned normal findings. As part of the treatment, he was given chlorpromazine, yet even after more than 24 hours of taking the medication, the hiccups persist. He has experienced some chest discomfort, which was the reason for his trip to the emergency room. I am desperate for any suggestions on how he can alleviate the hiccups or insights into what might be causing them. This situation is causing me a great deal of stress, and the thought of losing him is unbearable.
Answers (1)
7/9/2025, 7:10:35 AM
OpenHealth AI
I understand how concerning it can be to see your father struggle with persistent hiccups, especially given his medical history. Hiccups lasting longer than 48 hours, especially in an older adult, can sometimes indicate an underlying condition, which adds to your anxiety. The use of chlorpromazine was a good step, as it’s often used to address severe hiccups, but since it hasn’t worked yet, we can explore additional considerations and self-care measures.
Explanation
Hiccups can have a variety of causes, including digestive issues, irritation of the diaphragm, or, less commonly, neurological or cardiac concerns. Since your father's recent tests showed normal results for his heart and blood work, it’s promising, but the prolonged hiccups and chest discomfort still warrant attention.
Next Steps
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Track Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of when the hiccups occur, their intensity, and any associated discomfort. This information can be very helpful for healthcare providers if you decide to seek further help.
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Hydration: Encourage your father to drink water slowly. Sipping cold water or swallowing air while drinking (if comfortable) may sometimes help interrupt the hiccup cycle.
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Nutritional Adjustments: Avoid heavy meals, spicy foods, or carbonated drinks. Eating smaller, more frequent meals may help lessen potential gastrointestinal triggers.
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Breathe into a Paper Bag: In a calm environment, he can try breathing slowly into a paper bag for a short period. This can sometimes reset the diaphragm and stop hiccups.
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Relaxation Techniques: High stress can exacerbate hiccups. Activities like gentle walking or relaxation exercises may bring calmness, which might help the body stop the hiccup reflex.
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Consider Changing the Medication: If the hiccups persist and the above suggestions do not help, discussing the medication's effectiveness or other treatment options with his doctor might be beneficial.
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Monitor Chest Discomfort: If the chest discomfort worsens or if he experiences new symptoms (like shortness of breath, severe pain, or significant changes in health), prompt medical evaluation is crucial.
Your father’s ongoing hiccups are understandably distressing, but by following these steps, you can help manage the situation while maintaining his comfort. Should the hiccups continue without improvement, it may be helpful to consider seeking further medical advice or follow-up. You’re doing a great job care for him during this challenging time.
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