How To Stop Hiccups – Hiccups Remedies, Causes and Treatment

Usually, hiccups are harmless and go away on their own. It rarely becomes chronic and has pathological causes. Here is some information about how to stop hiccups.

Hiccups – Mostly Harmless

Hiccups are an annoying and uncomfortable affair as it appears abruptly. Those who keep making Hicks sounds sometimes get ridiculous comments as well as pity which is annoying, just like hiccups themselves. However, it is usually harmless if it only lasts for a short time. Before we discuss how to stop hiccups, let’s take a look at why we get hiccups.

Why do we get Hiccups

In simple terms, hiccups have their origin in the diaphragm. This flat muscle separates the chest and abdominal cavity. It is the driving force in diaphragmatic breathing, which is often called abdominal breathing, which is not medically correct.

When the diaphragm contracts downwards, the volume of the chest increases. There is a vacuum that sucks air into the lungs through the open glottis. When the diaphragm relaxes, the air flows out of the lungs again.

If the diaphragm suddenly tightens, the glottis between the vocal cords closes reflexively. As a result, the air in the lungs cannot escape and the incoming air hits the closed vocal cords.

A pressure arises and discharges in the form of the well-known hiccup. At the top, nerves in the brain are responsible for the diaphragmatic reflexes, namely in the brain stem, the so-called hiccup center.

How To Stop Hiccups – Helpful Tips & Tricks

1. People often know how to stop hiccups through home remedies or psychological distractions. The best-known remedies to stop hiccups are

2. Drinking a glass of ice-cold water in small, quick sips.

3. Holding your breath.

4. Keeping a sugar cube soaked in lemon juice in your mouth and letting it melt on your tongue. 

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5. Simply scaring the hiccups away.

6. Think of seven bald men or seven places starting with a particular letter.

7. Hold your breath or cough.

8. Inhale and then exhale against the nostrils closed with your thumb and forefinger.

9. Gargling with water.

10. Swallow pure vinegar or lemon juice.

11. Pull your knees to your chest, bend forward to squeeze your chest.

In fact, the little tricks often stop hiccups though not reliably and not equally well for everyone. They all work on the same principle that when the person is distracted, his breathing relaxes and the diaphragm calms down.

The reflex usually disappears within a few minutes. It is of no further concern and requires no medical treatment.

Chronic Hiccups – Longer Than Two Days

Hiccups become chronic only in rare cases. That means it lasts longer than two days. Such long-lasting hiccups often have no identifiable cause. At the same time, it is extremely uncomfortable and stressful.

People feel increasingly tired and exhausted, many suffer from insomnia and often develop depression. If you have tried home remedies and the solutions listed about how to stop hiccups, please visit a doctor and get a prescription.

Breathing and behavioral therapies can be helpful. If the hiccup persists, the patients receive a combination of muscle relaxing Agents and drugs that are supposed to have a dampening effect on muscle-stimulating stimuli.

Possible causes of acute and chronic hiccups

These can primarily be behaviors and factors that irritate the diaphragm or the responsible nerves or act via the vegetative nervous system. Possible stimulus triggers for acute hiccups include:

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1. Hasty, rapid swallowing when eating or drinking.

2. Very hot or cold food and drinks, especially if you take them in turns.

3. A sudden change in the ambient temperature, from cold to warmth and vice versa, can also provoke hiccups.

4. A lot of alcohol and heavy smoking are common causes.

5. Psychological influences such as stress , excitement, fright and the associated hasty, irregular breathing are also possible.

If the hiccups don’t stop, it can also be a symptom of an illness. In the worst-case scenario, it can be a sign of a heart attack or stroke. But don’t drive yourself crazy. Go to the doctor and get an examination done to be on the safe side.

*This article contains only general information and must not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment.