A Case Report of Central Nervous System Disorder Induced Intractable Hiccups Treated with Korean Medicine

Abstract

Intractable hiccups are those which persist for more than one month and can often occur in patients with disorders of the central nervous system, such as stroke, epilepsy, or brain tumor. An 80-year-old male patient undergoing conservative hemodialysis for diabetic nephropathy, recently developed paralysis and dysphagia due to central nervous system complications including stroke and epilepsy. He was admitted to the ⃝⃝ Oriental Medicine Hospital, and treated with herbal medicine (<i>Gyulpijugyeo-tang</i>, <i>Jeonssiigong-san</i>, and <i>Ijin-tang</i>) and electrical acupuncture for 30 days. No side effects were observed during hospitalization. The frequency and duration of hiccups were measured daily and found to reduce, and the effect persisted during his admission. The patient took no other nervous system drugs. In conclusion, Korean medicine like gyulpijugyeo-tang and acupuncture can be effective for patients with intractable hiccups who cannot use alternative drugs or treatment, because of other complications.