How to Get Rid of Hiccups

how to get rid of hiccups

We all have had hiccups at one time or another. Though hiccups go away on their own in some time, they can be uncomfortable, annoying, and interfere with talking and eating. So, how to get rid of hiccups? You might have heard of endless tricks to get rid of hiccups, but which hiccup remedy has proved beneficial? Some popular remedies include pressing pressure points for hiccups, and such remedies have proved beneficial. Here is an article with some hiccups remedies to get rid of hiccups. Before jumping to the hiccup cure remedies, let’s have a look at the causes of hiccups.

Hiccup Causes

Hiccups start when the diaphragm starts to spasm involuntarily. The diaphragm helps to breathe in and out. When this muscle contracts involuntarily, you inhale suddenly, and the vocal cords snap shut, which leads to a distinctive sound. Below mentioned are some common lifestyle factors that contribute to hiccups. 

  • Spicy foods
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Eating too quickly
  • Eating too much
  • Being emotionally excited or stressed
  • Exposure to quick temperature changes

1. Press Back of the Middle Finger

Acupressure or acupuncture is one of the best hiccup remedies. In this remedy, a point known as Zhong Kyiv is pressed firmly. The point is located behind the middle finger. It is pressed firmly for around five minutes on and off to get relief. 

2. Press The Pressure Point Below Wrist

Another acupressure point that you can press to get rid of hiccups is P6. The point is located at three fingers below the wrist and in the middle of the arm. You need to press the point for some time on both arms. It will help you in getting rid of hiccups immediately. 

3. Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is one of the best ways to get rid of hiccups. It would help if you utilized the diaphragmatic technique. In this, you need to make sure that your stomach goes while breathing out. You need to breathe in for five seconds, hold your breath for four seconds, and then breathe it out for seven seconds. It will help you in calming your autonomic nervous system. It will also help in calming down the vagus nerve. 

4. Avoid Sparkling Beverages

There are no obvious triggers that lead to hiccups. Anything problematic for your digestive system can cause hiccups. One such thing is sparkling beverages. They contain water and sharp bubbles. It can irritate your diaphragm and can lead to hiccups. The dissolved gas present in these drinks triggers hiccups by creating gas in your stomach. 

5. Avoid Eating Too Much at Mealtime

One of the common causes of hiccups is a distended stomach. Hiccups come as a result of a full stomach. Avoid eating too much as it will help you in avoiding hiccups. People who suffer from the issue of persistent hiccups due to a distended stomach might benefit from anti-reflux therapy. 

6. Avoid Spicy Foods, Gum, and Alcohol

The best way to prevent hiccups is to take appropriate measures to avoid them. It would help if you stayed away from alcohol, gum, and spicy foods. Chewing gums can lead to air swallowing, which can lead to hiccups. Spicy and hot foods like pepper contain capsaicin. This compound activates neurons present in the diaphragm and can lead the diaphragm to contract, which in turn can cause hiccups. If you love spicy food, there is no way to avoid hiccups. However, taking the antacid and eating slowly can help.  

7. Eat Patiently

Hiccups can be caused by an overfilled stomach having air or food. Eating food quickly can lead to swallowing air, which in turn causes hiccups. It would help if you took time to eat and should chew carefully instead of gulping down the food. 

8. Things to Drink to Get Rid of Hiccups

The way you drink might also help stimulate your phrenic nerves or vagus. Below mentioned are some things to drink or eat to get rid of hiccups. 

  • Drink ice water slowly. It can help in stimulating the vagus nerve.
  • Suck on an ice cube for a few minutes.
  • Gargle using ice water for around thirty seconds. 
  • Eat a spoon of peanut butter or honey.
  • Suck a lemon for a few seconds. You can also add a little bit of salt to your lemon slice.
  • Put a pinch of sugar on your tongue. Let it stay there for around 5-10 seconds, and then swallow it.

9. Distract Yourself

It is one of the best hiccup remedies. Hiccups go away on their own when you start distracting yourself with something engaging. You can play a video game, do some calculations, or fill a crossword. When you stop focusing on hiccups, they go on their own. 

10. Breathing Techniques

  • To get rid of hiccups, you should disrupt your respiratory system with the help of measured and slow breathing. Breathe in and out on a count of five each time. 
  • You can also hold your breath. All you need to do is inhale a gulp of air, hold it for around 10 to 15 seconds and then release it slowly. 

When to See a Doctor

In most cases, hiccups go away on their own within a few minutes or hours. However, if you have had regular hiccups for more than two days, you should visit a doctor. Your hiccups might be due to underlying medical conditions such as.

  • Stroke
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Gastroesophageal reflux

In many cases, hiccups are triggered by lifestyle factors, and they can usually be prevented by making some common changes in your habits. Below mentioned are some changes that you can consider.

  • Eat slowly
  • Drink less alcohol
  • Eat a small amount of food per serving
  • Avoid carbonated drinks
  • Avoid consuming spicy food
  • Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing

Rashmi