How to get rid of hiccups

How to get rid of hiccups? Well let’s first take a closer look at what and why do we hiccup. Hiccups could be summed up as repeated intake of air with a bit of noise. It is generally caused due to involuntary contraction of diaphragm. Hiccups last only for few minutes and give a minor discomfort.

What Causes Hiccups?

Eating or drinking too much or too fast is the most common cause. Consuming large quantities of carbonated or alcoholic beverages may sometimes be blamed. At times, hiccups may be an involuntary defense against choking.

Surprise, excitement, and stress can cause us to gasp, and the sudden intake of air may cause hiccups. Laughing, being tickled and burping contest can cause them too.

Common ways - How to get rid of hiccups

Drink a glass of water in one sitting

While the water itself probably won\'t get rid of your hiccups, the act of drinking (like holding your breath) will change, or temporarily stop, your normal breathing pattern and disrupt the pattern of diaphragm spasms, or hiccups. If you do this for long enough, the hiccups should go away.

Breathe quickly (hyperventilation) - How to get rid of hiccups

Again, the same principal of breathing disruption seen in the above steps is applied here. Hyperventilating into a paper (never plastic) bag may help you to focus on the breathing enough to stop your hiccups.

Tips - How to get rid of hiccups

Eat Peanut Butter of Sugar to Cure Hiccups

Another popular method, especially with cases of hiccups in youngsters, is this: If you\'ve got either peanut butter or sugar on hand (and are not allergic to peanuts or diabetic), try eating a heaping teaspoon full. The time it takes to attack either sundry sometimes gives your breathing a chance to regulate. (Peanut butter works well for doggie hiccups, too.

If you don’t want to go the antipsychotic route to get rid of hiccups, you could try one of these simpler but unproven cures:

# Sucking on a wedge of lime or lemon.
# Gargle with water.
# Pulling the top of your hair for one to two minutes.
# Having someone scare you.
# Pulling hard on your tongue.
# Running until you are out of breath.
# Placing a cotton swab in the roof or your mouth and gently rubbing.
# Balance your body with your feet spread a little more than shoulder-width apart.
# Slowly eat a piece of dry bread.