How Can You Cure Hiccups?
At best, hiccups are comical. At worst, they're embarrassing. The "hiccup" sound happens when your diaphragm involuntary spasms, forcing you to gulp in a small pocket of air. Babies are especially prone to hiccups, but adults fall prey as well. Some of the causes are eating too quickly, excessive alcohol consumption, carbonated beverages and emotional distress. There are several cures, though people seem to respond differently to treatment. Hopefully, one will work faithfully for you.
Instructions
-
-
1
Swallow a teaspoon of granulated sugar. The Mayo Clinic and MedlinePlus both recommend swallowing a teaspoon of a gritty substance, such as granulated sugar, because doing so requires cooperation between your airway and esophagus. The cooperation between these two areas forces them to work together and potentially eliminate the hiccup spasm.
-
2
Grab a bag. The Mayo Clinic and MedlinePlus also recommend breathing into a small paper bag. Grasp the entire top half of a paper lunch bag in one hand and place your mouth over the narrow opening. Inhale and exhale normally so you can see the bag inflating and deflating with each breath. Continue breathing into the bag for no more than 30 seconds before stopping to check if your hiccups are gone. If you are still hiccuping, wait a few minutes and try again.
-
-
3
Pour some water. MedlinePlus advocates drinking a glass of cold water without stopping to breath, while the Mayo Clinic advocates simply gargling with cold water. The idea is that drinking a moderate amount of cold water forces your diaphragm to work with your airway. Sudden changes in temperature can cause hiccups. A second drastic temperature change, such as cold water, can also help end the spasm.
-
4
Hold your breath. A time tested solution, recommended by both MedlinePlus and the Mayo Clinic, is holding your breath. The hiccup spasm exists in your diaphragm, which also controls your airway. Hold your breath for 10 seconds to try to eliminate this spasm-causing stimulus.
-
5
Ask your doctor about prescription medication. Your doctor may recommend medication, even surgery, if your hiccups continue longer than several days. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the most popular treatment drugs for long-term hiccups include chlorpromazine, typically used to treat psychosis, metoclopramide, used for nausea, and baclofen, a muscle relaxant. Surgical procedures involve stimulating or blocking the affected nerves causing the hiccups.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Hiccups lasting more than a few hours or that occur frequently can indicate serious medical problems, such as nerve damage in the diaphragm or irritation by a foreign growth, such as a tumor. See your doctor if you experience frequent or prolonged hiccups.
Maintain adequate oxygen levels and don't hold your breath longer than 10 seconds or breath into a paper bag for more than 30 seconds.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
