Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of hiccups (singultus).
Family history
- What is the general health of your relatives?
Social history
- Is there any evidence of psychosocial stress or strain due to your family situation?
Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- Have you had hiccups* for more than 48 hours?
- Do you have any other symptoms besides hiccups? If so, what are they? And since when?
Vegetative anamnesis incl. nutritional anamnesis.
- Do you suffer from insomnia?
- Trouble falling asleep?
- Trouble sleeping through the night?
- Shortened sleep duration?
- Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day? If you are now a non-smoker: When did you quit smoking and how many years did you smoke?
- Do you drink alcohol? If so, what drink(s) and how many glasses of it per day?
- Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs and how often per day or per week?
Self history incl. medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions
- Operations
- Radiotherapy
- Allergies
Medication history
- Alpha-methyldopa (drug used in blood pressure therapy).
- Antiepileptic drugs (ethosuximide, mesuximide, sultiam).
- Barbiturates (e.g., thiopental).
- Dexamethasone (artificial glucocorticoid).
- Diazepam (psychotropic drug)
* If this question has been answered with “Yes”, an immediate visit to the doctor is required! (Information without guarantee)
