Singultus

Hiccups ( singultus ) are sudden rhythmic jerks of the diaphragm followed by the closure of the epiglottis, accompanied by a characteristic sound. It is caused by irritation of the phrenic nerve or irritation of areas in the brain centers responsible for its activity. Over 100 different causes of singlet have been found, which can be divided according to severity :

Benign

 * Idiopathic gastric distension - aerophagia, carbonated drinks, endoscopic insufflation.
 * Emotions, upset.
 * Sudden change temperature (most common): drinks (hot/cold), shower, air, etc.
 * Use of a tobacco product.

Serious

 * Lesions in the stem area (tumor, traumatic, ischemic, hemorrhagic).
 * Pericarditis, pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchogenic carcinoma (+ other neoplasia in the mediastinum or esophagus, lymphoma, etc.).
 * Liver abscess, splenic abscess, peptic ulcer, gastritis/gastropathy, stomach tumors and pancreatic tumors.
 * Alcohol, anaesthetics, dexamethasone, methyldopa, sulfonamides, antiepileptics, chlordiazepoxide.
 * Uremia, fever, electrolyte imbalance, especially hyponatremia.

Source

 * Mayo clinic web pages https://www.scribd.com/document/50805799/Mayo-Medical-Manual, str.69, 70 Table diff. dg. single

Refernces

 * VOKURKA, Martin and Jan HUGO, et al. The Great Medical Dictionary. 9th edition. Prague: Maxdorf, 2009. 1159 pp.  ISBN 978-80-7345-202-5.

Recommended Literature

 * Recommended practices for general practitioners. Hiccup . 2002. Also available from URL < http://www.cls.cz/dokumenty2/os/t191.rtf >.

Reference

 * CHANG, Full-Young and Ching-Liang LU. Hiccup: mystery, nature and treatment. J Neurogastroenterol Motil [online] . 2012, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 123-30, also available from < http://www.jnmjournal.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.5056/jnm.2012.18.2.123 >. ISSN 2093-0879 (print), 2093-0887.

Category : General practice medicine Category : Surgery Category : Neurology