Everyone at one time or another has wanted to know how to get rid of hiccups. Hiccups, also known as myoclonus jerks of the diaphragm, can be frustrating because there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to stopping them. While some people say that pinching your nose and holding your breath will do the trick, this doesn't work for everyone.
Fortunately, there are some easy fixes you can try that stop hiccups by disrupting the nerve signals that give rise to the sudden spasms.
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How to Treat and Get Rid of Hiccups
Tips to Stop Hiccups Fast
While hiccups are generally harmless, they can cause distress and even alarm if they persist or happen at an inconvenient time, such as in the middle of an important social or work event.
If faced with such a dilemma, try these eight easy maneuvers that can be performed practically anywhere:
Gently Press on Your Eyes
Gently pressing on your eyeballs can sometimes stop hiccups spontaneously. It works by stimulating a branch of the vagus nerve servicing the bulbus oculi (the globe of the eye) and the conjunctiva (the clear membrane covering the eyeball and inside of the eyelid). Rubbing appears to redirect the brain from the diaphragm to the eyes.
To do this maneuver:
- Close your eyes.
- Rub your eyes in circular motions, applying gentle pressure.
- Slow your breathing, making an effort to relax your diaphragm.
Use the Valsalva Maneuver
The Valsalva maneuver is a technique commonly used to stop abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia) that may help stop hiccups as well. It involves exhaling strongly while airways are shut which exerts direct pressure on the vagus nerve and phrenic nerves.
To do the Vasalva maneuver:
- Sit down or lie on your back.
- Pinch your nose.
- Take a deep breath and purse your lips tightly.
- Push out your breath strong against the closed airways for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Relax and repeat until hiccups subside.
Swallow Against Pressure
Another technique involves creating pressure changes in the ears which stimulates the branches of the vagus nerve that connect the hearing organs to the brain.
An easy way to do this is to drink water as you trap pressure inside the middle ear. The action of gulping creates negative pressure that exerts gentle pressure on the vagus nerve.
To do this maneuver:
- Take a large sip of water from a glass.
- Plug both of your ears with your fingers.
- Swallow in one large gulp.
- Hold your breath for as long as possible.
- Repeat as necessary.
Swallow Crushed Ice
Swallowing crushed ice or ice chips may help stop hiccups by:
- Causing gulping that stimulates the vagus nerve running below the diaphragm,
- Indirectly cooling the anterior vagus nerve that runs parallel to the esophagus at the diaphragm,
- Cooling the stomach which indirectly cools the phrenic nerves in the diaphragm.
You can also try slurping on a slushie or a frozen smoothie for the same effect.
Breathe Into a Paper Bag
Breathing into a paper bag may help stop hiccups by increasing the carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood. The accumulation of CO2 triggers the "fight-or-flight response" in which the body kicks into survival mode when faced with a physical or emotional threat (in this case, a sudden decrease in oxygen).
When this happens, the body will release a stress hormone called cortisol that alters respiration to better deal with stress. In doing so, the diaphragm will relax and hiccups may stop.
To do this maneuver:
- Get a paper lunch bag (or a plastic baggie if you don't have one).
- Place the opening to your mouth, creating a tight seal.
- Inhale and exhale rapidly for around a minute.
- Purse your lips and hold your breath for as long as you can.
You can repeat this maneuver, but give yourself a minute or two before trying. Doing so without a break may cause oxygen levels to drop excessively, leading to dizziness or lightheadedness.
Suck on a Lemon
Sucking on a lemon is a folk remedy used for generations to treat hiccups. The high acidic content in lemon disrupts the normal rhythmic contractions involved with swallowing. This, in turn, stimulates the vagus nerve at the junction of the diaphragm and esophagus, potentially stopping hiccups.
To do this maneuver:
- Bite down on a wedge of lemon.
- Swallow the juice in one gulp.
- Purse your lips and hold your breath for as long as you can.
- Repeat as needed.
To make this maneuver less challenging, you can put a little sugar in your mouth or dip the lemon wedge into some sugar.
Pull Your Tongue
Pulling on your tongue may also get rid of hiccups by jolting the branches of the vagus nerve in the tongue. When your tongue is in a resting state, vagus nerve activity is low. By pulling on the tongue, the brain may turn its attention from the diaphragm to the tongue.
To do this maneuver:
- Take several moments to relax your tongue.
- Gently pinch the end of your tongue with your thumb and forefinger.
- Tug your tongue back and forth in a downward direction for several seconds.
- If hiccups don't stop, repeat steps 1-3 until they do.
Curl Up in a Ball
Pulling your knees to your chest exerts pressure on the diaphragm which can help stop the involuntary spasms. This maneuver places direct pressure on both the phrenic nerve and the vagus nerve underlying the diaphragm.
To do this maneuver:
- Lie on your back or your side.
- Pull your knees to your chest, lacing your fingers beneath them.
- Draw your knees as tightly to your belly as possible, tensing your abdominal muscles while holding your breath.
- Hold for as long as you can.
- Relax and repeat as needed.
How Long Do Hiccups Last?
Most cases of hiccups last for no longer than 30 minutes. They tend to come on suddenly and leave as abruptly as they came. Some cases only last for minutes.
With that said, hiccups can sometimes persist or be recurrent. Recurrent cases are often due to underlying conditions like GERD (a chronic form of acid reflux) that cause episodic flare-ups of symptoms.
What Triggers Hiccups?
Hiccups are spontaneous, involuntary contractions, called myoclonus jerks, affecting the thin muscle separating the abdominal and chest cavities, called the diaphragm.
To prevent hiccups from recurring, you need to avoid triggers and other factors contributing to the involuntary spasms. Here are some tips that can help:
- Avoid gulping carbonated beverages or drinking them through straws.
- Eat slowly, chewing completely and taking smaller bites.
- Eat sitting up in a chair. Avoid eating while slouched, which compresses the diaphragm.
- Don't eat excessively spicy foods. If you do, drink plenty of water.
- Limit your intake of alcohol.
- Manage stress which causes tension that contributes to hiccups.
Hiccups may be more likely to recur within a short period, often a day or so.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Although hiccups can be frustrating, it is rare for hiccups to cause serious harm. With that said, hiccups lasting for 48 hours or more (referred to as persistent hiccups) or over a month (referred to as intractable hiccups) warrant investigation, particularly if you have recurrent episodes.
Many cases like these are idiopathic (of unknown origin), while others may be the result of conditions like GERD, multiple sclerosis, stroke, meningitis, or hepatitis. While hiccups on their own do not cause death, the underlying cause may be serious and require urgent medical care.
Hiccups can sometimes be an early sign of a heart attack. Call 911 or have someone rush you to the hospital if the sudden onset of hiccups is accompanied by:
- Chest pain, pressure, or tightness
- Pain that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth, or upper belly
- Cold sweat
- Rapid, pounding heartbeat
- Sudden extreme fatigue
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
Summary
Hiccups are common and usually short-lived. However, most people want them to stop immediately when they occur. The quickest way to stop hiccups is to stimulate the vagus nerve. Most hiccup cures, like pressing your eyeballs, pulling on your tongue, sucking on a lemon, plugging your ears, the Valsalva maneuver, and swallowing ice, rely on vagus nerve stimulation.
You can prevent the recurrence of hiccups by avoiding triggers like carbonated beverages, large meals, and spicy foods.