Diagnosis

During the physical exam, your doctor may perform a neurological exam to check your:

• Balance and coordination
• Muscle strength and tone
• Reflexes
• Sight and sense of touch

If your doctor suspects an underlying medical condition may be causing your hiccups, he or she may recommend one or more of the following tests.

Laboratory tests

Samples of your blood may be checked for signs of:

• Diabetes
• Infection
• Kidney disease

Imaging tests

These types of tests may be able to detect anatomical abnormalities that may be affecting the vagus nerve, phrenic nerve or diaphragm. Imaging tests may include:

• Chest X-ray
• Computerized tomography (CT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Endoscopic tests

These procedures utilize a thin, flexible tube containing a tiny camera, which is passed down your throat to check for problems in your esophagus or windpipe.