How to Cure Hiccups?

Hiccups are involuntary actions over which we have no control. Everyone gets hiccups from time to time. They usually come at the most inconvenient times, and put the victim in a very embarrassing situation. Occasionally hiccups can be quite intense and persistent as well. People try many different things to stop an annoying bout of hiccups. So let's dwell into detail about it.

What is a Hiccup?

A hiccup (aka singultus) is caused by a spasmodic movement of the diaphragm. Hiccups are caused by irritation to the vagus nerve or any of its branches that run from brain to abdomen. When you hiccup, your diaphragm and nearby muscles convulse, causing you to briefly gulp air and within 35 milliseconds the glottis (the middle part of the larynx, the area where the vocal cords are located) is shut. It often repeats itself in constant succession.

No one is immune to hiccups, including unborn babies, who often hiccup in the womb. Men are slightly more susceptible to hiccups than women.

What causes Hiccups?

A lot of things can give rise to bouts of hiccups like:

• Excessive intake of air
• Swallowing spicy substances
• Drinking hot fluids
• Eating too much and too fast
• Sudden excitement
• Laughing, crying, yelling or other intense emotions
• Sudden change in temperature
• Kidney problems
• Infection in lungs
• Carbonated beverages.

What can I do?

Hiccups can be embarrassing, annoying and even unhealthy. But here are some tried-and-true remedies for hiccups:

• Get rid of hiccups by drinking a glass of water or juice rapidly. Gargling with water may also helps.
• Try breathing slowly into a paper bag. This will increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, and your body will become preoccupied with getting rid of it and forgets about the hiccups. In case paper bag is not available, cup your hands around your nose and mouth, and continue breathing normally.
• With your neck bent backward, hold your breath for a count of ten. Exhale immediately.
• Put your fingers in your ears for 20-30 seconds. Be careful not to stick your fingers too far into your ears.
• Take a teaspoonful of sugar and try to swallow it without sucking it.
• Sucking crushed ice provides immediate relief from irritating hiccups.
• Mix 1/2 tsp mustard seeds (rai or sarson) with 1/2 tsp of pure ghee and swallow this mixture.
• Make a mixture of 2 tsp of common salt in a cup of plain yogurt and eat it slowly.
• Take some black pepper (kali mirch) and smell it.
• Take a small piece of ginger and suck it to relieve pain as it is an effective remedy for hiccups.
• Take a piece of fresh lemon and suck it to cure the condition of hiccups.
• Take 2 teaspoon of honey and 2 teaspoon of castor oil. Mix both well and have it.
• If you can cope with the taste, then swallow a teaspoon of cider vinegar. It is helpful in providing relief from hiccups.
• Diverting the mind to some other thought can also cure hiccups.
• A really good fright apparently helps in curing hiccups too.
• To cure hiccups of a baby, place your fingers (dipped in water and sugar) on tongue of the baby for a few seconds.

If you experience chronic hiccups, or hiccups that last more than a few hours, consult your doctor. Chronic and consistent hiccups can be a sign of a more serious medical problem like stomach distension or a heart attack. Try the above tips to avoid any embarrassing situation.