Is chemotherapy hiccups normal?

Chemotherapy hiccups are abnormal.

There are many reasons for hiccups after chemotherapy. On the one hand, chemotherapy drugs may affect gastrointestinal function, resulting in gastrointestinal dysfunction, which causes hiccups. Chemotherapy drugs may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, affecting its normal motility and digestive function, allowing gas to accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, which causes hiccups. On the other hand, chemotherapy may affect nervous system function. Some chemotherapy drugs may interfere with the nerves that innervate the diaphragm, causing involuntary contraction of the diaphragm and causing hiccups.

In addition, the psychological state of the patient during chemotherapy may also be related to hiccups. Anxiety and other adverse emotions may affect gastrointestinal function through neuroendocrine mechanisms, increasing the incidence of hiccups.

When chemotherapy patients develop hiccups, they should be closely observed. If hiccups last for a long time, frequent attacks or other discomfort symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, abdominal distension, etc., they should be informed promptly to the doctor for further evaluation and treatment.