Hiccups can be very annoying, which makes you want to find a way to deal with them. While doctors may say that all "cure" for hiccups will not have the desired effect, many people claim that the method they choose can work effectively every time. If one of these "methods" doesn't produce the results you want, try another way of dealing with the hiccups.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Using Controlled Breathing
Step 1. Take a breath and hold it 3-4 times in a row
Inhale slowly to get air into your lungs. Hold the breath for 10 seconds, then exhale slowly. Repeat 3 to 4 times, holding your breath for 10 seconds each time.
If the hiccups haven't gone away, repeat every 20 minutes
Step 2. Breathe using a paper bag
Hold the paper bag in front of your mouth, with the sides against your cheeks. Next, inhale and exhale slowly so the paper bag will inflate and deflate. Try to stay relaxed as you breathe in the paper bag. This can help stop the hiccups.
Do not place paper bags overhead
Step 3. Press your chest by tilting your body forward as you exhale
Stand or sit in a straight chair. Take a deep breath, then tilt your body forward slowly while exhaling. Stay in this position for up to 2 minutes. This will put pressure on the diaphragm and surrounding muscles, which may stop the hiccups.
If the hiccups don't go away on the first try, do 2 to 3 more times
Step 4. Use metered breathing by inhaling and exhaling for a count of 5
Inhale slowly, counting to 5 when your lungs are full of air. Next, hold your breath for a count of 5 before you exhale for a count of five. Repeat this step up to 5 times to get rid of the hiccups.
If the hiccups haven't gone away after 5 sessions of holding your breath, rest for about 20 minutes, then try again
Step 5. Stick out your tongue and inhale slowly while exhaling
Fill your lungs by taking slow breaths. Next, stick out your tongue while exhaling, then use your fingers to gently pull the tongue forward. Do this comfortably without causing pain. This will trigger a pressure point that makes the hiccups stop.
- You can repeat this method up to 3 times if the first attempt doesn't work. Next, take a moment to pause before you try again.
- Stop pulling your tongue if it hurts. This action should not be painful at all.
Step 6. Pinch your nose while exhaling
Take a deep breath slowly. Then, hold your breath and cover your nose and mouth. Next, try to exhale gently, which will trigger your diaphragm and muscles to think you're breathing. Finally, exhale slowly.
If the hiccups haven't gone away, repeat this method 3 to 5 times. After that, rest even if the hiccups still don't go away
Method 2 of 5: Stopping Hiccups by Eating and Drinking
Step 1. Drink one glass of ice cold water using a straw
Fill the glass with cold water to the brim, then drink until it runs out slowly. When drinking, try to hold your breath as long as possible. In addition, you can do this while covering your ears.
This method will work best if you use ice water instead of just cold water
Tip:
If you don't have a straw, you can sip it straight from the glass a little at a time.
Step 2. Drink from the far side of the glass or upside down
Add water to the glass until it is half full. Next, tilt the glass and drink from the side of the glass away from the body, which makes it seem as if you are drinking upside down. Alternatively, you can lie upside down on the sofa or bed and drink the water carefully.
- Stop every few sips to check if the hiccups are gone.
- Be careful not to inhale the water or get into the nose accidentally.
Step 3. Take a spoonful of sugar
Take a spoonful of white or brown sugar and hold the spoon in your mouth for 5 to 10 seconds. Next, swallow the sugar and drink lots of water.
If this doesn't work, don't repeat it by swallowing a few spoonfuls of sugar. We recommend that you switch to another method
Step 4. Bite or suck the lemon wedge
Put a slice of lemon in your mouth, then bite into the slice and drink the juice, or suck on the slice to get the juice. If the taste is too sharp, you can add a little sugar to the lemon slices to sweeten it.
The taste of lemon juice can elicit a reaction similar to that of someone scaring you
Variation:
There is another way to make the lemon taste better, add 4 or 5 drops of Angostura bitter to the lemon wedge. This reduces the sharp taste and some people find it quite effective.
Step 5. Drink the water in the pickles as an easy way to consume vinegar
You can use vinegar to help get rid of hiccups, but the taste and smell is very unpleasant. Instead, drink pickle water as it contains vinegar. Take a sip of pickle juice or place a few drops of pickle juice on your tongue. Repeat as necessary until the hiccups are gone.
All pickles contain vinegar, regardless of the type of pickle
Variation:
If you don't like the taste of pickle juice, but want to get rid of hiccups, apply a few drops of vinegar directly on your tongue. The bad taste is still there, but you don't have to swallow anything.
Step 6. Eat a spoonful of peanut butter
Take a small spoonful of peanut butter, then place it on the tongue. Hold the jam there for about 5-10 seconds and let it dissolve on its own. Then, swallow the peanut butter without chewing.
If you prefer, you can also use other jams, such as almond jam or Nutella
Variation:
Alternatively, you can use a spoonful of honey. Place the honey on the tongue, and let it sit for 5 to 10 seconds, then swallow.
Method 3 of 5: Getting Rid of Hiccups with Movement
Step 1. Lie on your back, pull your knees toward your chest, then tilt your body forward
Lie down on the couch or bed and bend your knees. Slowly bring your knees to your chest, then tilt your body forward in a motion like doing a crunch. Grasp your knees, then hold that position for about 2 minutes. This will compress the chest and can help expel gas.
Repeat this movement 2-3 times if the hiccups have not gone away
Step 2. Sit in a chair and bend forward while hugging your knees
Find a chair with a straight back and sit with your back fully pressed against the back of the chair. Slowly bend over in a folded position with your arms crossed over your body. Next, slowly bring your arms close to your body and hold for 2 minutes, then release.
Repeat this method 2 to 3 times if the hiccups have not gone away
Warning:
Don't try this method if you have back problems.
Step 3. Ask a friend to tickle you if you are easily tickled
While the tickling won't get rid of the hiccups, the sensation will distract you from the hiccups. This makes you forget everything so the hiccups can go away. Also, laughing out loud can alter your breathing, which may help relieve hiccups.
Ask him to tickle you for at least 30 seconds. If it doesn't work, ask him to do it a little longer
Variation:
Some people believe that asking someone else to scare you can get rid of the hiccups. Even if there's no evidence to back it up, you can ask a friend to scare you if tickling doesn't work.
Step 4. Burp yourself, if you can
If you can force yourself to burp, this might help solve your hiccup problem. Burping can indeed get rid of hiccups. So, force yourself to burp a few times.
While swallowing air or drinking fizzy drinks can cause burping, you shouldn't do them as they can trigger hiccups. If you can't burp, use another method
Step 5. Try coughing to stimulate the muscles
Coughing can interfere with hiccups and make them go away. Make yourself cough, which will force the air out of your lungs sequentially. Keep doing it for one minute.
- You can repeat this 2 to 3 times if the first attempt to cough does not get rid of the hiccups.
- If possible, cough just when you think you're going to have a hiccup.
Method 4 of 5: Treating Chronic Hiccups
Step 1. Eat food more slowly to prevent hiccups from happening again
For some reason, not chewing food properly can lead to hiccups. The explanation, the air trapped between pieces of food will be swallowed, and cause hiccups. Eating slowly means chewing longer, and this can eliminate the chance of getting hiccups.
- Place a spoon and fork between chews to help slow down eating.
- Count the number of chews you do so you can eat slowly. For example, you can chew 20 times.
Step 2. Eat less
Large meals can trigger hiccups, especially in children. Reduce food portions to prevent hiccups. Divide the food into smaller portions so you don't get too full.
For example, you can eat 3-5 small meals every 2 to 3 hours
Step 3. Stop consuming fizzy or carbonated drinks
The gas in it can cause hiccups, especially if you drink it quickly. If you have frequent hiccups, it can be helpful to stop drinking fizzy and carbonated drinks.
If you come across a drink that contains bubbles, don't drink it
Step 4. Avoid chewing gum so you don't swallow gas
When you chew gum, you will swallow a small amount of gas with each chew. Unfortunately, this can trigger hiccups for some people. If you experience frequent hiccups, don't chew gum.
Instead, use peppermint or suck on hard candy
Step 5. Avoid alcohol and spicy food
Both alcoholic beverages and spicy foods can trigger hiccups. So, you should avoid it. This can help stop chronic hiccups.
You may need to take notes to find out if you experience hiccups after eating spicy food or drinking alcohol. If you don't experience them, then neither is a problem for you
Method 5 of 5: Knowing the Right Time to Seek Medical Treatment
Step 1. Get treatment right away if hiccups have interfered with your eating, drinking, or sleeping
You need to be able to drink, eat, and sleep to keep your body healthy and functioning properly. Although rare, hiccups can interfere with these activities. If this happens, immediately go to the doctor for treatment.
Hiccups should not interfere with daily life
Step 2. Go to the doctor if the hiccups don't go away in 2 days
While most hiccups will go away on their own within a few hours, sometimes an underlying condition keeps them going. The doctor will determine the cause of the hiccups and treat them.
Tell your doctor how long the hiccups last, and any other symptoms you have
Step 3. Consult a doctor for prescription medication
If the hiccups don't go away, your doctor may prescribe medication. However, not everyone is suitable for medication. Your doctor will tell you the risks and benefits. Some of the drugs that may be given include:
- Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) is the drug most commonly used to treat hiccups, and is suitable for short-term therapy.
- Metoclopramide (Reglan) is a medication commonly used for nausea, but it can also relieve hiccups.
- Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that can also be used to treat hiccups.
Tips
- Take your mind off the hiccups and do something that keeps you busy. This action can sometimes get rid of hiccups without realizing it!
- Cover your nose and mouth with cupped hands, then breathe normally.
- Try drinking 6 or 7 sips of water without breathing. If the first step doesn't work, repeat again, this time taking big gulps and holding your breath while pinching your nose for 10 seconds, then swallowing the water.
- Try to take a small sip of water, but don't swallow it, then gently pull on the earlobe.
- Try pinching your nose and doing three swallows.
- Hiccups can be psychological. So, a method can work if you believe that it is working.
