Content

• Steps

Hiccups can sometimes be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Hiccups happen when the muscles at the bottom of the ribs, called the diaphragm, contract. The breath-controlling diaphragm forces the air to flow through the vocal cords and causes the air to pop out, creating a sudden sound. Most hiccups will go away on their own after a few minutes and there is nothing to worry about. However, sometimes hiccups can last more than 2 days and require medical treatment.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Treating Hiccups at Home

1. 

   Change in breathing. This can help relax and stop diaphragm contractions.
   • Hold your breath for a few seconds. No need to hold your breath for long, just enough to start a new breath. Holding your breath for too long will make you feel uncomfortable or dizzy. Children with hiccups can try this method.
   • Breathe into the paper bag. This will keep you focused on breathing slowly and deeply, helping to stop diaphragm contractions.
   • It's not yet clear if scaring someone or startling them really helps with hiccups, but it can help if it causes you to gasp and change your breathing.
   • Smelling salts can also help change breathing.

2. 

   
   
   Drink cold water to soothe irritated muscles. This is especially helpful if you are experiencing hiccups from eating too quickly.
   • This method is also effective for children. If the baby hiccups, try breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
   • When you feel your throat constricting from hiccups, take small sips of water. Water will soothe muscles and cause you to change your breathing to swallow. The hiccups may not go away right after the first sip, so drink them until the hiccups are gone.
   • Some people think that you must drink water from the other side of the cup. Although not scientifically proven, this trick may make you laugh, thereby altering your breathing.
   • Rinse your mouth with cold water. Gargle will also cause you to change your breathing. However, be careful not to choke from hiccups while rinsing your mouth. This method is only suitable for adults and children old enough to rinse their mouths without choking.

3. 

   
   
   Eat a spoonful of sweets. Sweets activate your salivary glands and cause you to change your breathing when swallowing.
   • Eat honey or sugar.Be careful not to give honey or sugar to babies. Infants can also have hiccups, and like adults, their hiccups are usually harmless and go away on their own.

4. 

   Try sour food. Sour food will also stimulate salivary glands and cause you to swallow.
   • Bite on 1 slice of lemon or eat 1 teaspoon of vinegar.
   • Using a tongue brush around the palate or curling your tongue can have a similar effect. Do not use this method on infants.

5. 

   
   
   Chest pressure. This technique has not been medically tested, but can be effective when you change position and push your diaphragm in a different position.
   • Lean forward to squeeze your chest.
   • Or bend the knees up to form the fetal position.
   • Hold this for a few minutes to see if it works. If not, sit up straight and take a deep breath.
   • Young children can try changing positions, but do not press the infant's chest during hiccups.
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Part 2 of 3: Avoid Hiccups with Lifestyle Changes

1. 

   Eat slowly. Eating too fast can cause you to swallow air and affect your breathing.
   • Take small bites and chew the food well before swallowing.
   • Take a sip of water to let the food flow down to avoid getting stuck in your throat and causing hiccups.
   • Don't overeat.

2. 

   Consume less alcoholic and carbonated drinks. Drinking too much alcohol or carbonated drinks can cause hiccups.
   • Drunk can cause hiccups.
   • Carbonated drinks make you swallow air and can stimulate the muscles in your throat to cause hiccups.

3. 

   Avoid hot and spicy foods or beverages. The changes in temperature and the spices can irritate the throat and cause hiccups.
   • If you like spicy food, drink plenty of fluids to help prevent or stop hiccups.

4. 

   Reduce stress. Frequent, frequent bouts of hiccups can be a response to stress or excitement. If you are prone to hiccups, there are some popular methods of reducing stress you should try.
   • Get at least 8 hours of sleep
   • Daily exercise
   • Try meditating
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Part 3 of 3: Know When to See a Doctor

1. 

   Get medical attention if hiccups last more than 2 days or interfere with eating and sleeping. Relentless wicks can be a sign of an underlying disease. You will be examined by your doctor for some symptoms such as:
   • Damage or irritation affects the nerves that travel to the diaphragm. It can be caused by something that irritates the eardrum, a tumor, a cyst or goiter, an irritation or infection of the throat.
   • Neurological disorders affect the brain. This condition can make the body unable to control the hiccup reflex. Diseases can include encephalitis, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, stroke, trauma, and tumors.
   • Metabolic disorders such as diabetes, kidney failure or electrolyte imbalance.
   • Breathing problems such as asthma, pneumonia, or pleurisy.
   • Gastrointestinal disturbances such as gastroesophageal reflux or irritable bowel syndrome.
   • Alcoholism.
   • Psychological stress such as shock, fear, or grief.

2. 

   Tell your doctor if you are taking any medicine that may cause hiccups. Include:
   • Anesthetics
   • Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation
   • Sedatives to prevent seizures (Benzodiazepines) or stop feelings of anxiety (Barbiturates)
   • Pain relievers (Opioids such as Morphine)
   • Medications to treat high blood pressure (Methyldopa)
   • Chemotherapy drugs are used to treat cancer

3. 

   Understand what tests will be done in the clinic. Your doctor will likely do various tests to determine if you have an underlying medical condition that might be causing hiccups. Your doctor will be able to:
   • Test your balance, reflexes and senses.
   • Conduct blood tests to detect infections, diabetes and monitor kidney function.
   • An X-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is recommended to determine if there are no symptoms blocking the nerve from reaching the diaphragm.
   • An endoscopy involves putting a very small camera down your throat and looking inside the esophagus or the airways.

4. 

   Talk to your doctor about treatment options. Your doctor will conduct treatment once the underlying disease has been identified. If there is no disease, the doctor can offer several solutions:
   • Anti-hiccups like Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol, Baclofen, Metoclopramide and Gabapentin. However, the effectiveness of these drugs remains unclear.
   • Injections of anesthetic to calm the diaphragmatic nerves
   • Surgical insertion of a small device stimulates the vagus nerve
   • Alternative medicine techniques such as hypnosis or acupuncture can also help.
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