Usage of traditional Chinese medicine in treating intractable hiccups: a case report

Abstract

A hiccup is a sudden involuntary contraction of the diaphragm with a sharp gulp-like sound, often recurring at short intervals. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) states there is a wide range of reasons for why hiccups occur. From the view of TCM, the requirement of stomach qi or the vital energy of body is thought to fade when it comes to the patients who are severely weak, and when the illness is serious it could damage kidney essence; these all can make the disturbance of the vital qi movement. When the disturbed qi offends the diaphragm, the hiccup happens. This case study examines a patient who developed intractable hiccups after cerebral infarction accompanied with cerebral hemorrhage, with subsequent pulmonary and urinary tract infections that further complicated the case. The author used Chinese herbal medicine to strengthen the body’s own resistance, and eliminate pathogenic factors. A combination of herbs were used to recover consciousness, clear heat, descend rebellious qi, and promote the secretion of body fluids, which achieved significant and positive clinical results.