Simple Ways to Stop Hiccups Fast

Hiccups are a common and usually harmless condition. Here’s a look at potential causes and remedies, plus when to seek medical advice.

NEW YORK – Hiccups are an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm that causes your vocal cords to close quickly, creating the familiar “hic” sound.Most people have experienced them and wondered how to make them stop. Understanding what triggers hiccups, the parts of the throat and digestive system involved, and which tricks don’t work can help.

Why Hiccups Happen

Hiccups are common and affect everyone, including kids, adults, and even fetuses. The medical term for hiccups is “singultus,” from a Latin term meaning “to catch one’s breath while sobbing.” Hiccups occur when the diaphragm,a muscle between your stomach and lungs,spasms or contracts uncontrollably. The glottis, the space between your vocal cords, then closes. This may occur due to irritation or an underlying medical issue.

hiccup Causes

Common triggers for hiccups include:

• A large meal
• Carbonated drinks, such as soda
• Spicy foods
• Alcohol
• Accidentally swallowing air
• Stress and anxiety
• Overexcitement
• Overbreathing
• Some medications, such as benzodiazepines, chemotherapy drugs, or inhaled anesthetics

Sometimes, hiccups can result from another health problem, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a hiatal hernia.Short-lasting hiccups are usually harmless and resolve on their own. Though, hiccups lasting more than 48 hours or interfering wiht eating, sleeping, or breathing may require medical attention. As many as 4,000 Americans are hospitalized yearly for hiccup-related issues.

How to Stop hiccups: Natural and Home Remedies

No matter how long hiccups last,they can be uncomfortable. For acute hiccups, anecdotal evidence suggests that methods addressing the hiccup reflex directly may provide relief. These methods may work by raising the level of carbon dioxide in our blood and stimulating the vagus nerve, which helps us breathe, cough, and digest.

How to Stop Hiccups

Methods include:

• Hold your breath for a short time. “This works by increasing carbon dioxide levels in the lungs, which relaxes the diaphragm and stops the spasms causing hiccups,” says David D. clarke, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist and the president of the Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS).
• Breathe deeply or breathe into a paper bag. Altering carbon dioxide levels possibly interrupts the hiccup reflex, says Dr. Clarke, who is also a clinical assistant professor of gastroenterology emeritus at Oregon Health and Science University.
• Sip ice-cold water or gargle. “This method proves beneficial by stimulating the back of the throat, with ice-cold water potentially working better than room-temperature water,” Clarke says. The method also may stimulate the vagus nerve.
• Swallow granulated sugar. One 1971 study found that swallowing a teaspoon of sugar stopped hiccups for 19 of 20 patients. The method continues to be cited in scientific papers, despite a lack of conclusive evidence on its effectiveness.”This remedy works by irritating the pharynx and stimulating the vagus nerve, effectively resetting the diaphragm’s function,” Clarke says.

these methods may not work for everyone, and hiccups frequently enough resolve on their own. A quick trick that seems to provide relief may just be a coincidence.

Even though there’s not a lot of conclusive evidence on hiccup management, these home remedies may be worth trying, says Alexander Goldowsky, MD, a gastroenterologist at the digestive disease center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. “There are no large studies on these home remedies, and many are based on small case series or anecdotal reports.” They may be worth trying to ease hiccup discomfort because they are low risk.

Quick Tricks to Stop Hiccups: What May Not Work

What Doesn’t Work

Methods for curing acute hiccups that do not directly address the hiccups reflex or that have potential adverse side effects may not be an excellent idea. Such as, scaring or distracting someone to stop hiccups may not be safe for some people (such as those with heart disease), as sudden emotions may raise the risk of a heart attack.

“Perhaps a sudden fright might interrupt the hiccup reflex by triggering the vagus nerve or causing a distraction,” Clarke says.”But there’s no strong scientific evidence supporting this method.” Other tricks, such as chewing gum or drinking a carbonated beverage, are actually hiccup triggers.

Exercise caution when trying out anecdotal remedies for hiccups, and see a doctor if you’re concerned or have questions about recurrent hiccups.

When to Seek Medical attention for Hiccups

When to See a Doctor

You should seek medical attention if your hiccups:

• Last more than 48 hours: Hiccups typically resolve within minutes, Clarke says. If they last more than two days, they are known as persistent hiccups and may have additional underlying causes. Treatment may focus on addressing those specific causes.
• Return again and again: “Hiccups that recur frequently, especially after meals or several times weekly, should prompt medical consultation, as they might signal digestive disorders or other health issues,” Clarke says.
• Are accompanied by other symptoms: If hiccups repeatedly show up with persistent symptoms such as headaches, abdominal pain, weight loss, or shortness of breath, tell your doctor, Dr. Goldowsky says. These can also be signs of an underlying issue.
• Substantially affect your general quality of life: if hiccups make it hard to eat, sleep, or breathe, it may be wise to see a doctor.

Hiccups that are persistent or intractable, meaning they last longer than one month, might potentially be a symptom of underlying medical conditions, Clarke says. More serious conditions may include:

• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Cardiovascular issues
• Central nervous system conditions
• Esophageal tumors

You also should contact a doctor if your hiccups are coupled with neurological symptoms, including:

• Weakness
• Numbness
• Shortness of breath
• Headache

During your doctor’s visit, your healthcare provider will typically perform a physical exam and a neurological one. Additional tests may be necessary to find a potential cause.

Prevention Strategies: Diet, Lifestyle, and Mental Health

How to Prevent Hiccups

Several dietary and lifestyle modifications can definitely help prevent hiccups. Most include avoiding common hiccup triggers, and strategies include:

• Consume smaller meals more frequently, rather than large meals less frequently enough.
• Eat slower.
• Cut out carbonated drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, gum, and smoking.
• Avoid cold drinks or foods immediately after hot drinks or food.
• Maintain a stable temperature in your surroundings and avoid drastic temperature changes.
• Manage stress.

The Takeaway

Hiccups are usually harmless and go away on their own. Effective tricks for getting rid of hiccups include holding your breath, breathing deeply, or swallowing granulated sugar. Other methods may not be effective, despite their popularity, including scaring someone suddenly or pulling your tongue. If your hiccups last for 48 hours or more, or you have other accompanying symptoms, see a healthcare professional.

Resources We Trust

• Mayo Clinic: Hiccups
• Cleveland Clinic: Hiccups: Causes and treatment
• The Ohio State university: When Are Hiccups Serious?
• UCLA Health: Prone to Hiccups? Here’s What You Need to Know
• University of Miami: How Do You Get Hiccups?