Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Stop hiccups
• Method 2 of 2: Distraction
• Tips

Every person is familiar with hiccups. However, the causes and mechanism of the occurrence of hiccups are not fully known. However, very often hiccups can occur after drinking. Unfortunately, there are no universally accepted methods of getting rid of sudden hiccups. However, there are many folk remedies that can be used to quickly and easily stop hiccups when you're drunk. Usually one or more of these methods are enough to stop the hiccups and continue the fun. Alternatively, you can try to prevent hiccups. To do this, avoid excessive consumption of food, alcohol and carbonated drinks, sudden changes in temperature, intense and unexpected excitement and emotional stress. Also, you should stop drinking alcohol if you are trying to get rid of hiccups. Everyone knows that alcohol abuse can have negative and far-reaching health consequences. To avoid unpleasant consequences, remember the measure. Only in this case can you prevent the appearance of unpleasant symptoms, including hiccups.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Stop hiccups

1. 1 Hold your breath. Holding your breath means relaxing the muscles in the diaphragm, which are responsible for the constant movement of breathing. So try to hold your breath. This helps to stop hiccups, which are associated with reflex movements of the diaphragm.
   • Hold your breath for a few seconds and then take a few deep breaths. Repeat this exercise several times until the hiccups stop.
2. 2 Change your body position. Sit with your knees up to your chest or lean forward. This position of the body will compress the diaphragm. Hiccups are caused by involuntary muscle spasms of the diaphragm. To get rid of it, you need to stop such spasms. Changes in body position, in particular compression, can help relieve unpleasant spasms.
   • Be careful when sitting and getting up. Remember that alcohol impairs coordination and balance.
3. 3 Drink a glass of water in one gulp. Drinking quickly and non-stop will tighten your abdominal muscles, which can help stop the hiccups.
   • Try drinking the water through a straw or even two.
   • Drink only water, not alcoholic beverages. Otherwise, drinking alcohol can lead to increased hiccups.
4. 4 Try coughing. When coughing, the abdominal muscles are actively involved, thanks to which it is possible to get rid of hiccups. Even if you don't feel the need to cough, force yourself to do it.
5. 5 Press on the bridge of your nose. Place your finger on the bridge of your nose and press down hard on it. The principle of this method is not fully understood, but applying pressure to a nerve or blood vessel often helps to stop hiccups.
6. 6 Make yourself sneeze. When a person sneezes, the abdominal muscles tense up, which helps to get rid of the hiccups. To force yourself to sneeze, try sniffing some pepper, inhaling dusty air, or standing in direct sunlight.
7. 7 Rinse your mouth with water. Rinsing requires special concentration. In addition, when rinsing your mouth with water, your breathing gets out of place, which leads to tension in the abdominal muscles. All this contributes to the cessation of hiccups.
8. 8 Take a sip of the vinegar. Flavored liquids such as vinegar or brine can cause hiccups. However, if you are already bothered by hiccups, a sip of vinegar or brine can distract your body and rid you of it.
   • If this method does not bring the desired effect the first time, you should not repeat it again, as the use of a large amount of vinegar can irritate the stomach and esophagus. If this method is ineffective, try another one.
9. 9 Use ice. Take a small ice pack and place it on your upper abdomen in the diaphragm area. Cold causes changes in blood circulation and muscle activity. Thanks to this, the hiccups can stop.
   • If the hiccups don't stop after twenty minutes, remove the ice and use another method. Applying ice to the skin for a longer period can cause pain.
10. 10 Stimulate the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve controls many bodily functions. Therefore, stimulating it can help get rid of hiccups. Try one of the following methods:
    • Suck a teaspoon of sugar in your mouth slowly.
    • Eat a spoonful of honey.
    • Rub the upper palate with a cotton swab.
    • Cover your ears with your fingers.
    • Drink the water (or other non-alcoholic, non-carbonated drink) slowly, in small sips, so that the liquid touches the upper palate.
11. 11 Seek medical attention if hiccups persist for more than 48 hours. Usually, hiccups can be cured with home remedies. However, if the hiccups continue for more than two days and home treatments are not working well, be sure to consult your doctor.

Method 2 of 2: Distraction

1. 1 Start counting or choose a similar activity. If you keep your mind occupied with a moderately difficult task, you may be able to take your mind off the hiccups and it will go away on its own. If you are intoxicated, you will likely find it difficult to concentrate. However, the effort is worth it. Try one of the following:
   • Count from 100 to 1.
   • Say or chant the alphabet in reverse order.
   • Do the multiplication (4 x 2 = 8, 4 x 5 = 20, 4 x 6 = 24, and so on).
   • Come up with a word for each letter of the alphabet.
2. 2 Concentrate on your breathing. As a rule, we do not think about our breathing. Concentrating on your breathing can help stop the hiccups.
   • Hold your breath and slowly count to 10.
   • Breathe in deeply and slowly through your nose. Then breathe out slowly through your mouth. Repeat several times.
3. 3 Increase your blood carbon dioxide. With an increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood, the brain focuses on this problem. As a result, the hiccups may go away. The carbon dioxide content in the blood can be increased using the following tips:
   • Hold your breath for as long as possible.
   • Breathe deeply and slowly.
   • Inflate the balloon.
   • Breathe into a paper bag.
4. 4 Drink water in an uncomfortable position. For example, try bending over while drinking water, or use a similar method. You will focus on not overflowing the water while you drink. If you manage to distract yourself from the hiccups, it will likely go away on its own.
   • Drink only water. Resist the temptation to drink alcoholic beverages, as this can only make the problem worse.
5. 5 Ask someone to scare you. Fear is a good way to distract yourself from hiccups. When you are truly afraid of something, your brain focuses on that rather than the hiccups. However, you will need a friend's help. Ask him to scare you, such as jumping out of a corner or out of the dark when you least expect it.

Tips

• If you are having trouble getting rid of the hiccups, please be patient. Hiccups usually go away after a few minutes; if the hiccups last more than 48 hours, seek medical attention.
• You can prevent hiccups by not eating and drinking too quickly. When you eat or drink in a hurry, air enters the esophagus with it. This can cause hiccups.
• Alcohol irritates the esophagus and stomach. Therefore, remember to measure when drinking alcoholic beverages.