How to stop hiccups: Treat hiccups with home and medical treatments

What is a hiccup

Hiccups are recurrent spasms of the diaphragm associated with a “hic” sound from the closing of the vocal cords. The diaphragm is a muscle located under the rib cage, separating the chest from the stomach. This muscle is an important part of the breathing process.

Hiccups are more common in men than women, and they can last longer. Children and infants can also hiccups.

Read also: Cough treatment with herbs: dry cough, cough with phlegm, and allergies

Causes of hiccups

Mostly, there is no obvious cause for hiccups, but the following factors can lead to hiccups:

• Eat and drink quickly
• Drinking soft drinks or alcohol
• Eat a lot of food
• Experience stress – including fear and excitement
• Excessive lengthening of the neck.
• Take medications, especially anxiety medications
• Drinking a very hot or very cold drink
• Undergoing chemotherapy
• Anesthesia for surgery
• Inhalation of toxic fumes

Hiccups can also be caused by certain medical conditions, including:

• Metabolic disorders
• Central nervous system disorders
• stomach bloating
• Diseases that irritate the nerves
• Diseases controlling the diaphragm

Home remedies for hiccups

Drink water or hold your breath

Holding your breath by inhaling a large amount of air and holding it for a short period of 10 to 20 seconds, then exhaling slowly, taking a deep and slow breath, then drinking cold water in a slow manner may help treat hiccups. Gargle with ice water for a few minutes.

pressure on the eyes

Gently rubbing the eyeballs can help get rid of hiccups.

Eat sugar or honey

You can put a little granulated sugar on the tongue and leave it for 5 to 10 seconds, then swallow it. This may get rid of the hiccups.

Drink pickle juice or vinegar

Putting a few drops of vinegar in the mouth may help get rid of the hiccups, in addition to that, lemon can be sucked after adding a little salt to it, taking care to rinse the mouth with water to protect the teeth from citric acid.

breathing exercises

Sometimes a change in breathing or posture can loosen the diaphragm. Techniques that help get rid of hiccups include:

1. Practice spirometry

Deactivate your respiratory system by slow, measured breathing. By breathing in to the count of five and exhaling to the count of five.

2. Hold your breath

You should inhale a large mouthful of air and hold it for 10 to 20 seconds, then breathe slowly. And repeat the process according to the needs of each person.

3. Breathe into a paper bag

Place a paper lunch bag over your mouth and nose. Slowly exhale in and out, deflate and inflate the bag. Never use a plastic bag.

4. Bring the knees together

Sit comfortably, bring your knees up to your chest, and bend forward. This also compresses the chest by putting pressure on the diaphragm.

5. Use the Valsalva maneuver

To perform this maneuver, try to exhale while tightening your nose and keeping your mouth closed.

Acupuncture

suggest some studies Until acupuncture is considered one of the ancient treatments, known among people in Chinese medicine, and it has been noted that it can be used in the event that you suffer from persistent hiccups, as this type of treatment helps to restore balance in the body, and helps reduce stress, Pressure on some areas of the body may help relieve hiccups, and you should focus on breathing while doing this treatment.

Medical treatments for persistent hiccups

Treatment for persistent or often stubborn hiccups involves medication, which is prescribed by a doctor. In some cases hypnosis and acupuncture may be used. Surgical procedures such as injections into the phrenic nerve, or phrenic nerve severing in the neck, are also used in cases where all other treatments fail.

Prescription medications

antipsychotics

Hiccups that last for a long time can be treated with antipsychotic medications prescribed by your doctor.

muscle relaxants

Long-term hiccups can be treated with muscle relaxants prescribed by your doctor.

Hiccups prevention

Avoid triggers that can cause hiccups

Some triggers may cause hiccups in some people, as hiccups can be reduced by avoiding the following triggers:

• Eating or drinking quickly
• Drinking alcohol or soft drinks
• Eat spicy foods
• smoking
• A sudden change in the temperature in the stomach by eating or drinking something very cold after something very hot

suggest some studies Sometimes hiccups are due to an underlying medical condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In such cases, a person may be able to prevent hiccups by treating the condition that is causing them.

Lifestyle changes that may help prevent hiccups

Some simple lifestyle changes can help prevent hiccups by limiting smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating food at a moderate temperature. If you notice that certain behaviors cause hiccups, here are some things you can try:

• Eat less per meal
• Be careful to give up food slowly
• Avoid spicy foods
• Avoid sipping alcohol
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid chewing gum
• Avoid soft drinks
• Do not consume something cold immediately after eating something hot
• Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to reduce stress

Questions Common may interest you

How to get rid of hiccups quickly?

Hiccups can be eliminated by adopting the natural or medical methods mentioned in the article.

How many minutes does the hiccup last?

Most hiccups go away within a few minutes or hours. If it continues for more than 2 consecutive days, you should consult a doctor. Hiccups can be a sign of a medical condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and multiple sclerosis.

Also read: Drinking alcohol: To what extent does it affect the health of the body?