4 Hiccup and belching
Hiccup and belching are all caused by upward adverse flow of gastric qi.
1.2.1.4.1 Hiccup
Hiccup is marked by upward rise of qi and involuntary gurgling noise in the throat. Syndrome differentiation of hiccup is done according to the hiccup sounds, duration and other complications.
Repeated hiccup with sonorous voice is due to retention of pathogenic heat in the stomach. Deep, long and weak hiccup is due to weakness of the spleen and stom-
ach. Sonorous hiccup with normal sounds, short duration and no other complications is due to urgency in eating or due to postcibal attack by wind-cold. This kind of hiccup is regarded as normal. Sudden hiccup with weak voice and long intermittence in chronic diseases or serious diseases indicates decline of gastric qi and worsening of pathological conditions.
1.2.1.4.2 Belching
Belching refers to deep, long and slow noise made in the throat due to upward rise of qi from the stomach. Syndrome differentiation of belching should be made according to whether the voice is high or low, whether there is acid and putrid odor and whether there are other complications.
Sonorous belching with acid and putrid odor accompanied by unpressable epigastric and abdominal distending pain as well as thick and greasy tongue fur is due to retention of food in the stomach. Repeated sonorous belching accompanied hypochondriac and epigastric pain and taut pulse to be alleviated after belching is due to emotional upsets caused by invasion of liver qi into the stomach. Belching with deep voice and acid-putrid odor accompanied by no taste for food, light-coloured tongue and weak pulse is due to weakness of the spleen and stomach, usually seen in chronic diseases or the aged. Occasional belching after meal is usually due to overeating and is not morbid.
