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Clinical Trial
. 1997 Nov;41(5):590-3.
doi: 10.1136/gut.41.5.590.

Stimulus and site specific induction of hiccups in the oesophagus of normal subjects

R Fass  1 , L Higa, A Kodner, E A Mayer
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Stimulus and site specific induction of hiccups in the oesophagus of normal subjects

R Fass et al. Gut. 1997 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Hiccups that are induced by a large meal have been suggested to result from gastric overdistension. The role of the oesophagus in precipitating hiccups has never been defined.

Aims: To determine the involvement of oesophageal mechanoreceptors in the hiccup reflex.

Methods: Ten normal healthy subjects were prospectively evaluated at a university affiliated hospital. Controlled inflation of a polyethylene bag in the proximal and distal oesophagus was carried out using slow ramp and rapid phasic distensions, by an electronic distension device.

Results: Hiccups were induced in four subjects only during rapid phasic distensions and only in the proximal oesophagus. The mean (SEM) minimal volume threshold for the hiccup reflex was 32.5 (4.8) ml, which was above the perception threshold. Hiccups appeared during inflation and resolved after deflation.

Conclusions: Sudden rapid stretch of the mechanoreceptors in the proximal oesophagus can trigger the hiccup reflex in normal subjects. Only rapid distensions above a determined volume threshold will predictably induce hiccups in a given subject. This mechanism may play a role in the physiological induction of hiccups.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
: Stimulation of hiccups by rapid, phasic distensions in the proximal oesophagus of a single subject. The black bars represent phasic distensions that induced hiccups. The hiccup volume threshold is above the perception threshold.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Why do we hiccup?
    Kahrilas PJ, Shi G. Kahrilas PJ, et al. Gut. 1997 Nov;41(5):712-3. doi: 10.1136/gut.41.5.712. Gut. 1997. PMID: 9414986 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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