In the 1500s, people thought that hiccups were caused by elves. And there is a superstition that says your crush is thinking about you if you have hiccups.
Now, of course, that’s a load of old nonsense, but one thing we do know is that having persistent hiccups is uncomfortable and annoying. If you’ve ever had a bout of the hiccups that just won’t go away, you know what we mean.
But are there remedies to stop hiccups?
Keep reading, and you’re sure to find out!
What Are Hiccups?
Hiccups happen when your diaphragm, the muscles that separate your chest cavity from your abdomen, contract independently. When the diaphragm suddenly contracts, it closes off the vocal cords, creating the characteristic “hic” sound.
It’s a kind of muscular reflex triggered by food for hiccups; things like spicy food, eating too fast, fizzy drinks, and even excitement cause hiccups. Some causes of hiccups can be medical.
There are different diagnoses for hiccups. Hiccups can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease when the contents of your stomach go back into your esophagus. Another disease that can cause hiccups is a hiatal hernia, where the top part of your stomach forces its way up through the opening in your diaphragm, causing pain and discomfort.
Suppose your hiccups persist for more than 48 hours or cause difficulty eating or sleeping. In that case, you must get to your doctor at once.
Here are the five best home hiccup remedies curated for you.
1. Stacking Breaths
The fancy term for this hiccup remedy is “supra-supramaximal inspiration.”
Basically, what you do is stack three breaths on top of each other by taking a deep breath and holding it for ten seconds. Then, without releasing the first breath, take another breath and hold it. Without releasing any air, take a third deep breath and hold it for as long as possible.
2. Drink a Glass of Water Upside Down
There are two variations of this; one is that you stand on your head and try to drink a glass of water. It’s not usually recommended because there’s a choking hazard. The best way is to drink from the opposite side of the glass. Apparently, this triggers signals not usually used in drinking, interrupting the hiccups.
3. Breathe into a Paper Bag
Breathing into a paper bag is another home hiccup remedy. Make sure to use a paper bag, not a plastic one, as a paper bag also poses a choking hazard. By breathing into a paper bag, you will increase the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood. According to doctors, the more co2 in your blood, the fewer hiccups you’ll have.
4. The Valsalva Technique
While it may have a silly name, it’s effective at stopping hiccups. You pinch your nose closed, close your mouth and try to exhale as if you were blowing up a balloon. Do this for 10 – 15 seconds, and your hiccups should disappear!
5. Stimulate the Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve runs from your bum to your brain and controls many bodily functions. By stimulating this nerve, you can stop hiccups. You can stimulate the vagus nerve by pressing gently on your eyeballs, pulling your tongue with your fingers, having someone give you a fright, or even getting an anal massage.
If NONE of these hiccup relief options help, come and find us and we’ll do our best to stop your hiccups.
Remedies to Stop Hiccups — Hiccup Up and Away
These are just a few simple remedies to stop hiccups, there are many, and you need to try them all to find the one that works best for you.
Once your hiccups are gone, keep browsing our site for more brilliant health and lifestyle articles.