are hiccups a sign of aspiration
Hiccups may cause patients considerable discomfort, as in this patient. Hiccups may be responsible for aspiration pneumonia, depression, esophagitis, respiratory depression, sleep deprivation, and weight loss. Hiccups occur in 14%-26% of patients with lateral medullary syndrome. The exact anatomic lesion responsible for the hiccups is unknown but appears to be in the medulla.