Advertisement
Here’s five ways to cut your hiccups short
Most people have experienced the annoying, sometimes quite noisy condition known as hiccups. But why do they happen? And more importantly, what can you do to get rid of them?
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Remedies for stopping hiccups are about as mysterious as hiccups themselves. While there isn’t much research that tells us how exactly to stop them, there are some natural remedies that may help.
Family medicine physician Daniel Allan, MD, explains what hiccups are and some natural ways of giving them the boot.
Centuries ago, people claimed hiccups meant a growth spurt for children. Today, we understand the mechanics of a hiccup: When your diaphragm — a muscle situated between your lungs and stomach — becomes irritated, it begins to spasm. This spasm causes what is commonly known as hiccups.
“Hiccups happen when there’s a disturbance in the nerve pathways that lead from the brain to the diaphragm,” explains Dr. Allan.
Part of remedying hiccups is knowing what might trigger them. Believe it or not, the things that can set off a series of hiccups can range from what you consume to your environment. They can be caused by things like eating too quickly, drinking carbonated beverages or even when you feel overly excited or anxious.
It’s unclear if hiccups have a physiologic role. “In the uterus, hiccups may be a programmed exercise of the lungs to help with breathing,” Dr. Allan adds.
You’ve probably heard about numerous remedies for curing hiccups, but none has any scientific basis, experts say. However, some anecdotal evidence suggests that an increase in carbon dioxide may help.
Advertisement
Here are a couple ways to halt your hiccups:
Hiccups also come with a variety of other, slightly weirder techniques that are suggested mostly by anecdotal evidence. Obviously, the success rate of these options depends on each person.
But here are some to try:
Is it your baby who’s having a bad case of the hiccups? Whether it’s gassiness or taking breaths too quickly, your newborn may run into some hiccups of their own.
Advertisement
Some simple ways to relieve your baby of hiccups include changing their feeding position, burping them more often or even giving them a binky to suck on.
The good news is that hiccups are usually short-lived.
However, if you have persistent hiccups that last for several days or more, see a doctor. This may indicate the presence of a medical issue that needs attention. “Sometimes, certain diseases or even a medical procedure, especially those involving anesthesia, can cause prolonged bouts of hiccups,” Dr. Allan notes.
But it’s more common for hiccups to go away on their own. If you don’t want to wait them out, give these tips a try!
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Experiencing constant fatigue, shortness of breath and chills could all be signs of low iron
It can be a warning sign of low blood sugar or something more serious like a heart attack
Mold and bacteria in your reusable water bottle can cause health issues like infections, respiratory issues and allergic reactions
Watch the weather, keep lines of communication open and make sure everyone on board has access to a personal lifejacket or flotation device
Stay safe while celebrating by using legal fireworks, keeping a safe distance and disposing of them properly
The tickling response may be more about protection than enjoyment
Stress and unhealthy habits can lead to more colds, but taking some precautions may help you stay well
From bug bites and blisters to sunstroke and swimming safety, here’s how to stay well this season
Focus on your body’s metabolic set point by eating healthy foods, making exercise a part of your routine and reducing stress
PFAS chemicals may make life easier — but they aren’t always so easy on the human body
While there’s little risk in trying this hair care treatment, there isn’t much science to back up the claims