You may have experienced hiccups before, and their sound can be quite annoying. That’s why many people search for ways to get rid of hiccups. In this article, we’ll share several home remedies that can help you stop hiccups effectively.
What Are Hiccups?
Hiccups are sudden, involuntary, and repeated contractions of the diaphragm muscle.
When this muscle contracts repeatedly, the openings between the vocal cords close, producing the characteristic “hic” sound.
Causes of Hiccups
Irritation of the nerves that extend from the neck to the chest can trigger hiccups.
Several factors can irritate these nerves and lead to hiccups, including:
Overeating, drinking carbonated beverages, eating too quickly, or swallowing air while eating can cause hiccups. In these cases, the stomach becomes bloated and presses on the diaphragm.
Smoking or chewing gum can cause a person to swallow a large amount of air, which may lead to hiccups.
Polluted fumes can also cause hiccups.
Certain medications may cause hiccups as a side effect, including opioid painkillers, corticosteroids, anesthesia, or chemotherapy drugs.
Some chronic medical conditions, such as kidney failure, can lead to hiccups.
Liver problems, including swelling or infection, can irritate the diaphragm and trigger hiccups.
Damage to the phrenic nerve may result in prolonged hiccups.
Strokes, brain tumors, or meningitis can also cause hiccups.
In children, hiccups may be accompanied by crying or coughing.
This is especially common in infants during their first year.
In some cases, infants with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be more prone to hiccups.
Anxiety, stress, tension, and emotional crises can also trigger hiccups.
Are Hiccups Dangerous?
Hiccups are rarely a cause for concern. Although they may sometimes be associated with serious illnesses such as pneumonia or kidney failure, hiccups themselves are generally harmless and rarely lead to health problems.
However, if hiccups become frequent, chronic, and persistent (lasting more than 3 hours), or if they interfere with sleep patterns, cause food regurgitation, vomiting with severe abdominal pain, fever, shortness of breath, spitting up blood, or a feeling of tightness in the throat, you should consult a doctor.
Ways to Get Rid of Hiccups
1. Cover Your Mouth
Try placing your hands over your mouth and nose while continuing to breathe normally.
Inhaling this extra dose of carbon dioxide can help stop hiccups.
2. Apply Pressure to Your Hand
Press the palm of your hand with the thumb of your other hand. The stronger the pressure, the better.
You can also pinch your left thumb between your right thumb and index finger.
The discomfort from the pressure may affect your nervous system and help stop hiccups.
3. Hold Your Breath
The next time you get hiccups, take a deep breath and hold it.
As carbon dioxide builds up in your lungs, your diaphragm may relax, stopping the hiccups.
4. Stick Out Your Tongue
When hiccups occur, try sticking out your tongue several times.
This exercise stimulates the opening of the vocal cords (the glottis), helps you breathe more smoothly, and stops the spasms causing the hiccups.
5. Plug Your Ears
The next time you have hiccups, insert your fingers into your ears for 20–30 seconds.
You can also press the areas behind your earlobes, just below the base of the skull.
This sends a “relaxation” signal through the nerve connected to the diaphragm.
6. Drink Some Water
Take 9 or 10 quick sips of water in a row.
Swallowing the water in this rhythm allows the esophagus to override the diaphragm’s contractions.
7. Combine the Previous Two Methods
If you can plug your ears and drink water at the same time, this is one of the most effective home remedies for hiccups.
You’ll be stimulating the nerve connected to the diaphragm while simultaneously benefiting from continuous swallowing.
8. Eat Some Sugar
One tablespoon of sugar is a popular hiccup remedy.
The grains can slightly irritate the esophagus, which may “reset” the nerves controlling the diaphragm.
9. Eat Something Sour
Take a teaspoon of vinegar or suck on a lemon.
The sour taste is an old and common remedy that can stop hiccups.
10. Eat Some Peanut Butter
A tablespoon of peanut butter is a traditional hiccup remedy.
The movement of your tongue and teeth as you chew interrupts swallowing and breathing patterns, effectively stopping the hiccups.
11. Sip Some Hot Sauce
This may stop hiccups because the heat sensation distracts the body enough to shift its focus from the hiccup reflex to the burning feeling.
12. Eat a Little Honey
Mix a teaspoon of honey in warm water, place it on the back of your tongue, and swallow.
This can help soothe the diaphragm and stop hiccups.
13. Try the Chocolate Remedy
Take a spoonful of powdered chocolate drink mix (cocoa) directly from the spoon.
This old trick can help stop hiccups.
14. Chew Some Dill Seeds
Here’s a simple and fun trick to stop hiccups: slowly chew a teaspoon of dill seeds.
This traditional remedy works because swallowing the seeds stimulates the nerve connected to the diaphragm, stopping hiccups.
15. Breathe into a Paper Bag
Next time hiccups strike, breathe slowly and deeply into a small paper bag. (Stop if you start to feel lightheaded.)
This can increase the level of carbon dioxide in your blood, causing the diaphragm to contract more deeply to draw in more oxygen.
Although not scientifically proven, this remedy may provide relief.
16. Massage Your Neck
This is one of the more unusual techniques for stopping hiccups.
Try gently massaging or rubbing your “carotid artery” on both sides of your neck to relieve hiccups.
17. Pull Your Knees to Your Chest
Sit comfortably, then pull your knees up to your chest and hold this position for two minutes.
Pulling your knees in applies pressure to your chest, which can help stop diaphragm contractions.
Which Medical Specialties Diagnose and Treat Hiccups?
Hiccups are rarely a medical emergency, but in some cases, they may be linked to chronic illnesses.
If hiccups are persistent and cause health problems, you should consult a doctor.
The specialties involved in diagnosing and treating hiccups include:
Internal medicine
Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists
Gastroenterologists
Neurologists (specialists in the brain and nervous system)
Pulmonologists
Pediatricians (for children)
Now, dear reader, we’ve reached the end of this article.
We hope it covered everything you wanted to know about hiccups, their causes, and some effective home remedies to get rid of them.
