Table of Contents
Introduction: (How Hiccups stop)
Hiccups often happen all of a sudden with no clue or initial hints; meanwhile, if they persist long, they cause bothersome at that time how hiccups stop is the main concerning question. Although they can’t last long and get end on their own. People may try different methods and a variety of treatments to deal with hiccups to stop them.
Hiccups are bothersome if they persist long, therefore to get rid of them a variety of methods and treatments are being chosen by people. Usually, Hiccups happen when the diaphragm and intercostal muscles suddenly contract involuntarily. Additionally, the voice box (Layrynx) contracts at the same time with other muscles and blocks the airway passage. Hiccups can be stopped without any medication treatment.
In this article, we will discuss some facts about hiccups, how to treat them or get rid of them fast, and the methods and treatment options you can opt for to stop hiccups.
What could be the most possible causes of hiccups:
Although the exact cause of the hiccup is always unknown. But any factor that triggers and irritates the diaphragm muscle can lead to a hiccup.
According to National Organization for Rare Disorders, Factors that can cause hiccups are the following:
eating spicy foods intake
drinking hot liquids can lead to hiccups
eating a larger meal
drinking carbonated beverages
eating too fast without a proper pause
taking certain medications triggers a hiccup
drinking alcohol may also trigger hiccups
being exposed to quick changes in temperature
Sometimes a strong emotional feeling or stress may also cause the hiccups.
The impact of hiccups on routine and work:
Hiccups often emerge all of a sudden no matter where are you and what are you doing there is no specific cause yet identified for the hiccups.
A sudden hiccup attack can impact your work focus and routine in the following ways.
inability to concentrate
difficulty in talking
physical discomfort
social embarrassment
sleep disturbance
disrupts eating and drinking
Decreased work productivity in the long run with persistent hiccups
Disturb breathing pattern
difficulty in completing tasks on time
stress and anxiety
interruptions in important meetings and interviews.
How hiccups stop: Effective Tips to get rid of them
These tips are for short bouts of hiccups. If you are experiencing chronic hiccups lasting more than 48 hours, then you need to talk with your doctor. This could be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs attention.
Here Are some methods and tips for the question of how hiccups stop.
Breathing and posture techniques:
breathing techniques
Practice measured limited breathing. Disrupt your respiratory passage with slow, measured breathing. Breathe in slowly and count to five and out for a count of five.
Hold your breath: Inhale a large gulp of air and try to hold it for longer for about 10 to 20 seconds, then breathe out slowly, do not puff the air fast. Repeat this breathing-in and exhaling-out technique as necessary.
Breathe into a paper bag. Place a paper lunch bag over your mouth and nose covering both completely. Slowly breathe in a gulf of air and puff out, causing deflating and inflating the bag. Avoid using a plastic bag.
Flex your knees and lean forward. Sit down in a comfortable place anywhere. Flex your knees and bring them towards your chest and lean forward a bit in the knee hug position. This helps to compress the chest by putting pressure on the diaphragm and provides relaxation from involuntary contraction that occurs in hiccups.
Use the Valsalva maneuver. To do this maneuver, Try to inhale via your mouth and close your nose by holding it with your fingers and then release the air or exhale slowly through your mouth. This little disruption in the respiratory system may ease your hiccups and help to get rid of them.
Eating and drinking:
Several suggested techniques on how to stop hiccups involve food and drink. Because certain foods and drinks can stimulate your phrenic or vagus nerve to relax your diaphragm. Some food and drinking suggestions include:
Drink ice water: The Vagus nerve can be stimulated by sipping slowly cold or iced water.
Suck on an ice cube: Suck on the ice cube for a few minutes, then swallow it once it shrinks to a reasonable size may also help you to lower the chances of prolonged hiccup episodes.
Drink water from the “wrong” side of the glass: This is related to psychology, some researches show a positive impact on hiccups
Eat some sugar: Hold a pinch of granulated sugar and put it on your tongue and hold it on for 5 to 10 seconds, then swallow it. This may also help to reduce the chances of hiccups continuing.
Suck on a lemon: Some people use to put a bit of salt on a lemon slice. Rinse your mouth with water to protect your teeth from citric acid.
Put a drop of vinegar on your tongue: A drop of vinegar on your tongue may also be helpful to get rid of hiccups.
Pressure points
Pressure points are areas of your body that are particularly sensitive to pressure. When applying pressure to these points with your hands or fingers involved may help to relax your diaphragm by stimulating your vagus or phrenic nerves.
Pull on your tongue. Hold your tongue tip and pull it forward it activates your throat muscles and can help you to get rid of hiccups, do repeat it once or twice as necessary.
Squeeze your nose. Hold your nose with a pinch for almost 5 to 8 seconds and then release, do this process twice or thrice.
Massage your carotid artery gently. The Carotid artery is located on both sides of your neck. The same artery you check your pulse by touching. Lie down, turn your head to the left side, and massage the artery on the right side in a circular motion slowly or gently for 5 to 10 seconds. Take a paise and repeat it again as necessary.
Other Remedies: (How hiccups stop)
Have someone startle you:
A sudden surprise or a shock may help you to interrupt your hiccup cycle and stop it.
Gargle with ice water:
salt on lemon
Gargling, and swishing cold or ice water in your mouth may help to stimulate your vagus nerve and can help relieve your hiccups.
It is important to ensure that there is no one-size-fits-all remedy for hiccups. Some people get a better response from the mentioned remedies while some don’t get them. If your hiccups are extended for a long period of time then you must visit your healthcare provider for some tests if any underlying health issue might be the cause.
How hiccups stop – in infants?
Babies often get hiccups, which are a standard part of their development and is totally normal and harmless to disturb them. However, hiccups in infants can sometimes disturb their feeding and sleeping.
If hiccups in babies occur during a feeding, it may be possible to get rid of them by:
changing the baby’s position immediately
Burping the baby
calm the baby, and make him/her feel easy.
Frequent hiccups for a long time in a baby could be a sign of a medical condition. Parents or caregivers should speak with a doctor or healthcare provider if hiccups occur often or upset the baby the most.
How to protect yourself from Hiccups?
Common causes of hiccups that are triggered by lifestyle factors can be prevented by lifestyle changes or changes in your habits. If you are aware of certain behaviors are causing your hiccups, then here are some things you can try to avoid hiccups:
eat smaller amounts per serving don’t hurry in eating
eat slower and with pauses
avoid spicy foods intake
don’t drink alcohol
quit smoke
don’t chew gum for long
avoid carbonated drinks
don’t eat something cold immediately after consuming something hot
practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, or yoga to reduce stress.
When to see A doctor?
Often cases of hiccups go away within a few minutes or hours on their own. If you regularly get hiccups or have hiccups that last for more than 1 to 2 days, or if hiccups generate chest pain with each breath, talk with your doctor to treat it. Your hiccups could be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as:
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
Stroke
Multiple sclerosis
In addition, some cases of hiccups are more stubborn and persistent than others. When this happens, your doctor might prescribe medication to help them stop. Common medications for chronic hiccups include:
baclofen (Gablofen)
chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
metoclopramide (Reglan)
Medications:
If your hiccups last for a while and have no obvious cause, a doctor may prescribe several anti-hiccup medications. The more commonly used medications include:
antipsychotic medications such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol
benzodiazpines, a class of tranquilizers
seizure medications, such as gabapentin (Neurontin)
diphenhydramine, an antihistamine
metoclopramide (Reglan), an anti-nausea drug
baclofen a muscle relaxant
nifedipine (Procardia, Procardia XL), blood pressure medicine
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved any prescription medications for the treatment of hiccups. If a doctor suggests and prescribes any medications above, it’ll be an example of off-label drug use.
Frequently asked questions
Below, we answer some of the most common questions about hiccups that are asked.
How do hiccups stop instantly?
There is no specific way to get rid of hiccups instantly as their cause it not known or specified.
However, the following methods may help you:
breathing into a paper bag
holding the breath
slowly drinking or sipping cold water
biting a slice of lemon
tasting a drop of vinegar
swallowing granulated sugar
What is the main cause of hiccups?
Various triggers can cause hiccups.
Is hiccupping dangerous?
Hiccupping in itself is not dangerous. it is harmless.
However, if hiccups become chronic, they may affect a person’s quality of life.
Are frequent hiccups a sign of something serious?
In some cases, frequent hiccups may indicate an underlying health condition. Persistent hiccups may have associations with various conditions such as:
tumors
pancreatitis
hepatitis
liver cancer
Conclusion:
Hiccups can be an annoying and disruptive experience, but there are several effective remedies to help stop them. Some of these remedies include holding your breath, drinking water, pulling on your tongue, and stimulating the vagus nerve. Additionally, consuming certain foods or supplements, such as sugar, vinegar, or magnesium, may also help alleviate hiccups.
While hiccups are generally harmless and will resolve on their own, persistent hiccups for 1 to two days can be a sign of an underlying medical condition and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Overall, by utilizing these effective remedies, you can quickly and easily stop hiccups and get back to your day.