Hiccups can be bothersome at times especially if you are in an important meeting, attending a lecture, or at a party. Scientists are unsure why people get hiccups and there is no cure for them.
So, how to get rid of hiccups at home? Find all the home remedies that you can use below. We have also listed the cause of hiccups and answers to other queries related to hiccups as well.
According to Science Daily: “Every year, around 4,000 people in the United States are hospitalized due to hiccups. Ninety-one percent of patients with persistent hiccups are men, the majority of whom are above the age of 50.”
What Causes Hiccups?
You get hiccups when your diaphragm contracts uncontrollably. The diaphragm is a big muscle that aids in breathing in and out. When it spasms, you exhale quickly and your vocal cords clamp shut, producing a characteristic sound.
Hiccups can be provoked by particular foods, beverages, diseases, or behaviors, but they usually occur and resolve on their own. The “hic” noise is caused by air rushing into the lungs, forcing the vocal cords to contract fast.
They usually come and go rapidly. Among the lifestyle variables that might trigger hiccups according to the National Health Service (NHS) are:
- overeating or eating too soon
- carbonated beverages
- meals that are spicy
- consuming alcohol while being worried or emotionally charged
- being subjected to rapid temperature fluctuations
If you have uncontrollable hiccups for more than one hour. Consult with a doctor, click here to see a doctor online via the Marham app.
Is there a scientifically proven way to stop hiccups?
Scientists are unsure why people develop hiccups. A few researchers suggest that distraction or being startled might help get rid of them. The following home remedies might help you find your answer to how to get rid of hiccups:
1. Eat a spoonful of sugar:
This is one of the most popular home remedies for getting rid of hiccups. The theory behind this remedy is that the sugar calms down the diaphragm and stops it from spasming. Try eating a teaspoonful of sugar or honey if you have hiccups that won’t go away.
2. Poking mouth or Putting Fingers in Ears:
Poking the roof of your mouth with a Q-tip, or inserting your fingers in your ears all activate Vagus nerve branches, and the overload on other Vagus nerve endings may cause hiccups to stop.
3. Drink a glass of warm or cold water:
Drinking a glass of warm or cold water is another common home remedy for hiccups. It works by relaxing your body and calming down the nervous system, which can help reduce the spasms in your diaphragm that cause hiccups.
Also, read 4 Reasons For Unpleasant Hiccup Sounds.
4. Distracting your brain:
Being startled might cause the Vagus nerve to become overwhelmed. You can distract someone by telling them something interesting. Or you may start counting backward from 100 involves focus, which may distract your brain from the hiccups.
5. Hold your breath:
Holding your breath for as long as possible, blowing up a balloon, or inhaling into a paper bag raises the level of carbon dioxide in your system.
The reasoning behind such acts is that your brain will redirect its attention away from the hiccups to focus on getting rid of the carbon dioxide because your danger of passing out has increased.
6. Using a Pacifier for babies:
Suckling, which includes nursing or sucking on a pacifier, frequently aids in the relief of hiccups in newborns.
Burping is another widespread and frequently successful strategy, maybe because the hiccup cycle is disturbed or the baby’s brain is “distracted.”
What is the Medical Treatment for Hiccups?
If you have frequent hiccups that do not go away using at-home remedies you might need to seek medical help.
Some treatment options suggested by the Better Health Channel for hiccups include the following:
- Antispasmodic medications that relax the diaphragm
- Nasogastric intubation
- Treatment for Nerve blockage
- Surgery to cut portions of the nerves that connect to the diaphragm
- Treatment for the underlying condition (Esophagitis, epilepsy, etc.)
- Modifications to current drug doses
- Changing to a different type of nicotine treatment
Consult a Doctor Online for Persistent Hiccups Today!
Contact your doctor if your hiccups continue for more than two days or are severe enough to interfere with eating, breathing, or sleeping.
They may be able to treat persistent hiccups with medicine or do tests to determine why your hiccups aren’t disappearing. So, it is always best to consult a doctor for an expert opinion.
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FAQs
What is the cause of hiccups?
There is generally no evident cause for hiccups. However, some people notice particular things, such as intense emotions such as enthusiasm, eating, and drinking.
How can hiccups go away?
Most hiccups go away on their own in a few minutes. But, in rare situations, hiccups may persist for more than 48 hours. It might be caused by a medical problem or a medication you’re taking.
Why does Sugar stop hiccups?
The sugar’s effect on the Vagus nerve, which connects your brain and stomach, is thought to be the reason it stops hiccups. The sugar irritates the back of the throat, causing the hiccups to stop.