How to get rid of hiccups

A hiccup is a medical condition which is caused by the sudden contraction of the diaphragm. When there is an abrupt flow of air rushing into the lungs, the vocal chords close and cause the ‘hic’ sound. Although hiccups are harmless but when occur too frequently and in between any activity, these could be annoying and uncomfortable. The condition is not termed serious when a bout of hiccups last only for a few minutes, but if it continues for more than a couple of hours or even weeks then medical treatment might be required. There are various home remedies that help to get rid of hiccups. The methods focus on increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood stream, which invariably stops the reflex action by the diaphragm. What works for one person may not work for another, so try out some of the methods mentioned below before you decide which one suits you the best.

Complexity level: Moderate

Time required: 15 to 20 minutes

Resources required:

1. Paper bag
2. A cup
3. Sugar
4. Water
5. Vinegar

Instructions:

1. Paper bag method:

• Use a brown paper bag to ease the hiccups.
• Place the bag opening around your mouth and seal it tightly.
• Then blow in and out about 8 to 10 times by the time your hiccups stop.
• Try to breathe fast or hard to make it more effective. But, also make sure you are comfortable doing the same.

2. Drink water:

• Pour some water into a cup till its half full and hold it in such a way that the right side is up.
• Bend slightly and place your mouth on the other side of the cup, so that the side with which you usually drink, touches your chin.
• Try and drink as much water as possible and keep going till the hiccups subside.

3. Eat sugar:

• This is a fairly simple method that is widely practiced.
• Take a tea spoon of sugar, tilt your head a bit to the back and put the spoon into your mouth.
• Hold it there for a couple of seconds, swallow and then take a sip of water if required.
• An alternate sugar method is to put a spoon of sugar in your mouth, then wait till the sugar melts or dissolves.
• Make sure you do not chew or swallow in between.
• After about 10 to 15 seconds the sugar would get dissolved, taking the hiccup along with it.

4. Hold your breath:

• This is the most practiced method to get rid of hiccups.
• Hold your breath for as long as possible, and then exhale slowly.
• Repeat the process till the hiccups subside.
• You can also try and take a few sips full of water while holding your breath and then exhaling slowly. This might fetch you faster results.

5. Gargle:

• You need to be careful with this method as the ice can act as a choking hazard.
• Pour some ice water in your mouth and gargle for as long as possible. Your hiccups would be reduced in no time.

6. Juice method:

• Certain sour juices are known to ease hiccups.
• For example; a teaspoon of vinegar, sucking on a lemon wedge, angostura bitters on a lime wedge etc., are known to cure hiccups.

7. Tongue technique:

• Pulling out your tongue stimulates the vagus nerve and eases the diaphragm spasms which would stop the hiccups.
• Stick your tongue out and hold it with your hands if needed.
• Keep it out for as long as possible.

8. Massage method:

• Try to massage the roof of the mouth, where the hard and soft palates meet, using a cotton swab.
• This will stop the gag reflexes that would otherwise cause the hiccups.

Frequently asked questions:

1. What causes hiccups?

Hiccups are usually caused when the diaphragm becomes unsynchronized due to the stomach having an involuntary spasm. This could occur when you drink too quickly, eat too fast, drink alcohol, consume too much spicy food, or even when you get excited.

2. If my hiccups are not cured with the above methods. What is the next option?

If your hiccups still do not subside even after all the above mentioned methods, seek the advice of a doctor. Medications such as Chlorpromazine (Thorazine), Baclofen (Lioresal) and Phenytoin (Dilantin) have proved to be successful in bad scenarios. If the situation is really bad then a surgery to disable the nerve that controls the diaphragm (the phrenic nerve) is often used as the last resort.

Quick tips:

1. Try not to get too worked up when you get hiccups as it might only increase the frequency.

2. It should be understood that these home remedies are not 100 percent guaranteed. You will just have to wait it out and see for yourself.

3. Relaxing is a good way to get your hiccups under control. Do not panic and make situations worse.

Things to watch out for:

1. When you do the breathing exercise, swallowing too much air can sometimes cause an uneasy stomach ache.

2. Prolonged hiccups may be the cause for an underlying issue which should be tackled. Get a doctors advice as soon as possible.