longest attack of hiccups

The longest attack of hiccups ever recorded, lasted an astonishing 60 years. Normally hiccups are self limiting, lasting only a short period of time, but in a small number of cases may become persistent. If hiccups last longer than 48 hours, they are considered persistent or protracted. It is however, unlikely that the record for the longest attack of hiccups will ever be beaten.

Brief episodes of hiccups, which often induce annoyance in patients and merriment in observers, are a common part of life. The longest attack of hiccups obviously fell into a different category entirely. Hiccups lasting longer than one month are termed intractable and are a more serious phenomenon and often a diagnostic dilemma. These attacks have been associated with significant morbidity and even death.