Persistent hiccups lasting years are extremely rare, but one man who experienced the condition for nearly 20 years recently found relief after undergoing a series of specialized nerve-targeting procedures.
According to a paper published in Frontiers in Physiology1, the man suffered from chronic hiccups that caused repeated acid reflux, vomiting, and significant disruption to daily life for two decades. Despite trying multiple treatments over the years, his symptoms persisted until doctors used advanced ultrasound-guided interventions targeting nerves involved in the hiccup reflex.
Hiccups occur when the diaphragm, a muscle involved in breathing, contracts involuntarily, causing a sudden intake of air followed by closure of the vocal cords, which produces the characteristic “hic” sound.
Long-term hiccups may be associated with gastrointestinal disorders, neurological conditions, metabolic abnormalities, or irritation of the nerves controlling the diaphragm, including the phrenic nerve.
See also: What Causes Hiccups? Understanding the Role of Indigestion and Reflux
The patient experienced hiccups almost continuously for years, leading to complications such as acid reflux and frequent vomiting, according to the report.
Chronic hiccups can significantly impact quality of life by interfering with sleep, eating, and breathing, and in severe cases may contribute to weight loss, fatigue, or psychological distress.
Doctors therefore explored interventional procedures targeting the neural pathways responsible for the hiccup reflex.
One of the first procedures performed was a stellate ganglion block (SGB).
The stellate ganglion is part of the sympathetic nervous system, located in the neck, and plays a role in regulating nerve signals affecting the head, neck, and upper chest.
Using ultrasound guidance, physicians injected medication near the ganglion to temporarily block nerve signals that may trigger the hiccup reflex.
According to researchers, this technique allows clinicians to precisely target nerves while reducing the risk of complications.1
Doctors also performed phrenic nerve blocks, another ultrasound-guided intervention.
The phrenic nerve controls movement of the diaphragm, the muscle responsible for breathing. Because hiccups involve involuntary diaphragm contractions, blocking this nerve can sometimes interrupt the abnormal reflex causing the condition.
In the reported case, physicians administered bilateral phrenic nerve blocks, targeting both sides of the nerve pathway to improve symptom control.
After initial procedures, the medical team performed pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation (PNRF).
This technique uses controlled electrical energy delivered through a needle to modify nerve activity without permanently damaging the nerve. The approach is sometimes used in pain management and nerve-related disorders.
In the case described in the medical report, pulsed radiofrequency was applied to nerves involved in the hiccup reflex pathway to provide longer-lasting symptom relief.
Following the procedure, the patient experienced significant improvement, suggesting that targeting neural pathways involved in diaphragm control may be an effective option for selected patients with intractable hiccups.
Although most hiccups resolve on their own, long-term cases may require medical treatment. Possible approaches include:
medications affecting nerve signaling
treatment of underlying gastrointestinal or neurological conditions
nerve blocks targeting the phrenic nerve or stellate ganglion
neuromodulation procedures such as pulsed radiofrequency
Because persistent hiccups may have multiple underlying causes, treatment strategies often require a multidisciplinary approach involving gastroenterologists, neurologists, and pain specialists.
The case of a man experiencing hiccups for two decades highlights how persistent hiccups can sometimes require advanced interventional treatments. Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks and pulsed radiofrequency therapy targeting nerves involved in the hiccup reflex provided significant relief after years of symptoms.
While such cases are uncommon, they demonstrate how modern interventional techniques can help manage complex nerve-related disorders when conventional treatments fail.
Reference
Lu, Fan, and Ting Wang. “Resolution of 20-Year Refractory Hiccups with Ultrasound-Guided Phrenic Nerve Radiofrequency Modulation and Bilateral Stellate Ganglion Block: A Case Report.” Frontiers in Physiology 17 (2026). https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2026.1622330.
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