Question
My daughter, who is 8 years old, has been experiencing frequent hiccups for the past six months. They resemble the normal reaction to drinking carbonated drinks, usually occurring after meals or when she is feeling down, especially after eating spicy or very cold foods. We took her to the doctor, but since she didn’t have hiccups before the visit, no issues were detected. I would like to know the possible causes and treatment methods.
Answer
Western medicine believes that hiccups are caused by the sudden contraction of the diaphragm, while Chinese medicine considers that hiccups are mainly due to irregular diet, weakened constitution, and food accumulation leading to upward movement of stomach Qi, triggering spasms in the diaphragm and stomach. This condition may be temporarily relieved by drinking cold water or eating spicy food, but it is prone to recurrence and has a risk of becoming chronic. It is recommended to pay attention to diet, avoid triggers, and try pressing the Tianchu point. This point is located in the middle of the sternum above, below the throat, in the depression between the two clavicles. It is easy to find. Pressing for 2 to 3 minutes can help relieve the connection between the lungs and the outside world, thereby reducing the symptoms of hiccups.