Brazil's former president, Jair Bolsonaro, underwent a medical procedure Saturday to address chronic hiccups, according to his medical team. The procedure, which lasted approximately one hour, "went well," according to Dr. Claudio Birolini, a member of Bolsonaro's medical team. Birolini emphasized that the treatment was not a surgery.
This medical intervention followed a surgery earlier in the week to repair a double hernia, for which the 70-year-old Bolsonaro was granted permission to be transferred to a hospital. The medical team determined it necessary to address the recurrent hiccups following the successful hernia surgery.
Hiccups, medically known as singultus, are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle, often accompanied by the rapid closure of the vocal cords, producing a characteristic "hic" sound. While most cases are temporary and resolve on their own, persistent or chronic hiccups can be indicative of an underlying medical condition or nerve irritation. Potential causes range from simple factors like overeating or consuming carbonated beverages to more serious issues such as nerve damage, central nervous system disorders, or certain medications.
"Chronic hiccups can significantly impact a person's quality of life," explained Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a gastroenterologist not involved in Bolsonaro's treatment. "They can interfere with eating, sleeping, and even speaking. While rare, persistent cases warrant thorough investigation to identify and address the root cause."
Treatment for chronic hiccups varies depending on the underlying cause and may include medication, nerve blocks, or, in rare cases, surgical intervention. The specific procedure Bolsonaro underwent was not disclosed, but Dr. Birolini clarified that it was not surgical in nature.
Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Prior to his hernia surgery, Bolsonaro endorsed his son, Flávio, as a potential candidate against Lula in the 2026 presidential election. His endorsement was conveyed in a handwritten letter read by Flávio Bolsonaro outside the hospital. The current status of Bolsonaro's hiccup treatment and any further planned medical interventions remain undisclosed.
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