Tips and Tricks for Getting Rid of Hiccups

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Rebecca loves sharing what she knows about alternative medicine, health, frugal living, fun, animals, and how to live a better life!

How a hiccup works

tips-and-tricks-for-getting-rid-of-hiccups

What is a hiccup?

A hiccup, also known as (synchronous diaphragmatic flutter) it is a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm which occurs at the same time as a contraction of the voice box (larynx) and total closure of the glottis, effectively blocking air intake. The glottis is the middle part of the larynx, where the vocal cords are located. -Medical News Today

No one really knows why we get hiccups, or what their purpose really is. They are usually just an annoyance and embarrassment. But they sound funny and can be quite amusing for those not having them.

Causes?

What causes a hiccup?

Oh, lots of things can cause hiccups! Here are the main causes. You can avoid extra tips and tricks to get rid of hiccups if you avoid some triggers, to begin with.

Eating too much food too fast. We have teeth for a reason. Masticate your food. CHEW!
Drinking too much (especially alcohol and carbonated beverages). Carbonation is the culprit.
Overeating. Drink a full glass of water before or after a meal to reduce excessive food intake. Again, too much to fast. Slow it down.
Abdominal surgery.
Disease or disorder that irritates the diaphragm.
Hot and spicy foods or liquids.
Medications.

No more hiccups!

Hiccup tips and cures

Hold your breath
Sit up straight and take 10-20 very deep breaths, exhaling slowly
Gulp a big glass of water
Pop a few tums
If you are ticklish, have someone tickle them out
Swallow a spoonful of sugar, or try this with salt too
Count out loud, the louder the better, until they are gone
Pull out your tongue a few times with your fingers
Place a paper towel over a glass of water and drink from it
Drink water through a straw while pinching your nose shut
Ask someone to scare you out of your britches
Have a spoonful of peanut butter
Breath slowly in and out of a brown paper bag
Although you'd think this is counter-intuitive, have a sip of hot sauce
Drink water from a glass backward and upside down-this is the best way!
With one hand plug your nose and blow as hard as you can making your ears pop, I don’t know why this works, but it does

Comments

Dianna Mendez on July 27, 2013:

I like the spoonful of peanut butter best. I get hiccups occasionally and find slow breathing works fine for me. Thanks for the tips.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on July 27, 2013:

Great advice on how to get rid of hiccups and in such simple ways

Alise- Evon on July 25, 2013:

I did not know there were so many different ways to try to get rid of hiccups. My dad taught me the best way that worked for me, which you mentioned, which was taking a spoonful of sugar. This always works for me, but I have to let the sugar dissolve in my mouth before swallowing it.