I would imagine almost everyone has experienced the annoying and, sometimes, comical episode of having the hiccups. If you never experienced hiccups in your lifetime, well then consider yourself lucky.
What causes hiccups?
This is one of those unanswered questions. Hiccups come from spasms in the diaphragm, or muscle that separates the chest from your abdomen. The spasm makes your vocal cords close rapidly and creates the infamous hiccup sound. Even though a typical hiccup can be nuisance, it could become a medical problem if it persists.
How do you get rid of hiccups?
So how do you get rid of this pest known as the hiccup? There is no permanent way to stop a hiccup, but maybe some of these lifestyle changes and remedies below might help:
- Drink, or gargle ice water
- Sip cold water
- Breathe into a paper bag
- Hold your breath
- Try to gasp or belch (I know! It’s not polite to belch around people. If you like, you can perform this remedy privately).
- Get in a position where you bring your knees to your chest and maintain the position.
- Try to relax and breathe slowly in and out.
For chronic hiccups, try the lifestyle changes below. There is no guarantee, but these may help:
- Avoid carbonated beverages and gas-producing foods
- Eat smaller meals
As stated before, hiccups could potentially turn into a medical problem if they continue. Therefore, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional if your hiccups continue to be an issue and affect your lifestyle and health. To learn more about hiccups, you can also reference the Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center at https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6657/chronic-hiccups.
Image by Darko Djurin from Pixabay